Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
It didn’t make any sense. But then again, Kasper held a strong belief in the Ventdestinian winds of fortune. “Someone has been threatening my principal,” I explained carefully. “Zee has received threats, but the way they were written, it seemed to come from someone whose main motivation was getting me off his protection detail.”
“Kasper has said many times you belong back in Ventdestine,” Gerhard said hesitantly. “And he was very upset in Amsterdam when you refused our offer. I told him to let it go.”
“Find out when he was on holiday. Please.” I pulled out my phone to text Zane.
Zane, holy shit. I think I know who the Stamper is.
Please tell me you’re at the ranch.
Stay away from Kasper! He’s on the Ventdestinian advance team and he’s in Majestic. Tell Miguel and Paul to lock you down somewhere safe, honey.
When I realized none of my texts were going through, I stood up and found the flight attendant, only to discover they were having problems with the router.
“Reset it, for fuck’s sake,” I growled. “Or tell the pilot I need to get a message to the private airport in Majestic, Wyoming.”
Once they were able to get the Wi-Fi working, a string of texts came pouring in from Zane and Violet.
Zane
Bear! Crap. You’re still not getting these messages, are you?
Zane
I think Kasper—Royal Guard Kasper!—is the Stamper.
Zane
I know it sounds weird, but I promise it makes sense.
Zane
I have to do something, Bear. Something big. Something that’ll keep you protected. And I really wish I could talk to you about it first, but I need you to trust me. I love you.
Violet
Ryan, Lou obtained credible information that the Stamper is Kasper. I’m locking Zane down now. Get in touch ASAP. We need to coordinate a response.
I stared at them in shock. It had only been two hours since I’d spoken to him. How the fuck had so much happened?
I returned to my seat next to Gerhard and updated him. His nostrils flared. “Someone get Kasper on the phone right now! If he has defied me, he will regret it.”
His assistant scrambled to initiate a call over Wi-Fi, but there was no response.
“Fuck!” I hissed. “I need to be there. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Keep trying,” Gerhard commanded.
Gisella appeared from the back of the plane, where she’d been hanging out with the kids. “What’s going on?”
Gerhard caught her up while I texted Zane. I didn’t dare try to call him while the king’s people were using what little internet we had.
Whatever you’re planning to do, STAY SAFE. Keep your protection officers with you at all times.
Then I texted the head of law enforcement in Majestic.
Foster, BOLO: Ventdestinian foreign national named Kasper Beaulund.
I followed it with a physical description and short explanation of what was going on.
Foster
Copy that.
A call tried coming in from Zane, but I had to decline it. I texted him instead.
On plane, can’t call. Give me update pls.
“Fuck, I need to be there,” I said under my breath.
Gisella broke in. “Then we go there.”
The king looked at her in disgruntled surprise. “But our plans—”
She reached for her husband’s hand. “Your father owed Ryan his life, my love. He would have wanted you to help ensure his happiness. He’s obviously worried about his…” She gave me a particular look, urging me to fill in the blank, even though she clearly knew.
“Partner,” I said awkwardly. “He’s my… he’s everything. He’s…” I let out a shaky breath. “Finding someone like him was the reason I left Ventdestine. And then the winds whispered fortune on me. Because three weeks after I got back to the States, I was assigned to protect him.”
Gisella beamed. The king blushed and looked everywhere but at me. I didn’t care.
“I want to go to him,” I admitted, reaching out for what I wanted, the way I always urged Zane to do. “Please.”
The king gave a nod, and Gisella grinned and turned to the flight attendant. “Tell the pilot to reroute us to Majestic, please. We need to get there as soon as possible.”
What followed was a hectic and stressful hour, but soon, we were on the ground in Majestic, waiting for the steps to be lowered. There was certain security protocol that needed to be respected when the royal family landed anywhere, so I forced myself to focus on that process until the pilot had confirmed we were clear to deboard.
Thankfully, Foster Blake and several of his fellow officers were there with a fleet of official vehicles with flashing lights. A sleek Mercedes van was parked nearby, along with several dark-colored SUVs. Surely my people wouldn’t have allowed Zane to come here until we found Kasper.
But as soon as I made my way down the jet’s stairs, I saw Zane’s familiar honey-brown hair being lifted by the cold wind coming off the mountains as he stepped out of the van. My heart lurched as I scanned the area for Kasper.