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“Oh my, Mr. Crown Prince, what determination you have,” she said, far too breathless.
“All the better to kiss you senseless with, my dear,” he responded.
Chad laughed. “You two and your Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood obsession. Come give your long-lost and most captivating male friend a hug.”
Jennifer went to oblige Chad, but her mind swirled with all things Tristan. She needed perspective and distance or she’d throw herself into his arms and kiss him for far too long.
Their relationship and how she’d longed for him should be the least important worry of the moment. But for some reason, it seemed the most important.
Chapter Nine
Tristan packed some clothes and toiletries in a bag and then he and Jennifer drove a Can-Am Maverick to the village, Chad and Ray following them. They parked the vehicles next to the bakery, then climbed into the back of the Porsche Ray was driving and waited with him. Meanwhile, Chad snuck up the path to the prime minister’s villa. He was to sneak into the back door of the cottage using the security code for the alarms Jennifer had given him and check it thoroughly for sensors, recording devices, cameras, or unwanted visitors.
He returned about fifteen minutes later and informed them there were recording devices in every room, but luckily no cameras or ‘unfriendlies.’ He disabled the recording device in the upper east bedroom so they could pretend they were going to sleep but could actually talk freely in there. Everywhere else in the house they needed to monitor what they said or, even better, plant false seeds for William to chew on. Ray reassured them two guards would monitor outside constantly but would not be seen by William’s men.
“Do either of you have a Taser or stun gun I could borrow?” Jennifer asked.
Ray and Chad exchanged a look, then glanced back at her. “Why?” Ray asked.
“I just want to have something to protect myself when William does instruct us how to retrieve my parents from him.”
Both men looked at Tristan.
“I’m always carrying.” He said the words like a promise to his brother.
“But he might not be able to stay by my side,” Jennifer said.
Tristan’s entire body felt tight as every muscle seemed to engage, ready to defend her. “Let William try to pry me from your side.”
Jennifer’s eyes were warmer than they’d been since she supposedly saw him with the ‘gorgeous blonde.’ “Oh my, Big Bad Wolf, how lofty your determination is.”
“All the better to protect you with, my dear,” Tristan said.
Chad whistled. “I like it, friend.”
“I’ll bring you a stun gun,” Ray told her.
“Ray,” Tristan shot at his brother.
Ray shrugged. “We’ve seen what this snake is capable of. I don’t think we can have too many layers of protection.”
“Thank you.” Jennifer arched an eyebrow at Tristan.
He shrugged, conceding. Ray was right, and he wanted Jennifer safe more than he wanted to assuage his ego of being able to protect her.
Thanking them both, Tristan promised to call at even the hint of trouble. He escorted Jennifer out of the car. They strolled up to the cottage, flirting with each other as if she’d done as William instructed and gained his trust, but it felt fake. He and Jennifer were never fake. Would she let him talk to her and kiss her and work everything out between them?
They entered the cottage, and Tristan wondered if it was odd or unnerving for her to guard what she was saying. He was so used to it from the political spheres of his life that he could flip the switch easily.
But Jenn ... He certainly noticed her. The swish of her bronzed curls over her smooth shoulder. The alluring but unfortunately cautious smile she granted him with. The brush of her soft fingers against his arm.
They went into the kitchen, each grabbed a bottle of water, her with gas, him without, and talked about some old friends as they sipped. When Tristan thought it had been long enough, he said, “I’m exhausted from the long day with the wedding. Would you mind showing me where I’m to sleep?”
They knew William wouldn’t believe they were sleeping together. Thankfully he didn’t have cameras, just the recording devices.
“Of course. Thank you for staying with me tonight,” she said.
His heart raced at the thought of staying with her. Would she go with him into the bedroom without the recording device and finally be able to talk through so many things? Would they have time to kiss? Without interruptions?
