Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Loneliness.
That was crazy, though. Because he had no idea what her life was like.
And how was he lonely? He had his brothers. They were all he needed.
Or so he told himself.
“That’s okay,” she said. “It’s enough just to get to see it.” They turned around a bend in the road and the ocean was gone.
Irrationally, he wanted to knock on the privacy screen between them and the front seat and demand that the driver turn around. He wanted to see her smile as she stared out at the ocean.
To walk with her on the sand.
Chill.
They moved into the city, toward the business district. The car stopped at a red light and she practically plastered her face against the window as she peered out. “A fair? A fair is coming? I thought you didn’t really allow outsiders into the country.”
“We don’t. Or very rarely,” he allowed since they were obviously here. “It’s a fair put on by a group who live further inland. They travel here every second year.”
“Oh, what fun. I haven’t been to a fair in years.”
“Me neither,” he said. “There’s nothing quite like corn dogs at a fair.”
“You haven’t lived until you’ve had one,” she agreed.
They grinned at each other.
“A fair? That sounds rather juvenile,” Lord Fothersam stated.
Immediately, she pulled back in on herself. “Yes, of course it does. You’re right.”
Beck eyed her. Did what His Lordship said mean that much to her? Why did she care what he thought? He was her employer. He wasn’t in charge of everything she did. But he seemed to have tight control over her.
And Beck didn’t get why.
Why didn’t she tell him to fuck off?
They were headed to a large building that housed one of the biggest enterprises in Escana. Most of the country’s wealth came from the natural resources the country had. But there were some businesses here, all owned by Escanaians, producing items for domestic use.
He guessed His Lordship wanted them to produce on a bigger scale and start exporting and importing more items.
Beck frowned, leaning forward as they drove past a number of people standing on the side of the road, chanting with signs.
Shit.
The privacy screen went down between the front and back of the car. Owen turned to give him a look but didn’t say anything.
What were they doing here? Was it just a coincidence that they were a few blocks from their destination?
“Protestors?” Lord Fothersam asked.
What was going on with these people? They’d gone from a few to growing in numbers.
“What are they protesting?” Chloe asked as they drove past. The protestors didn’t do anything other than glare at the car angrily.
Beck sighed. “There are a group of people who are upset that the Princes aren’t marrying an Escanaian. They’re in the minority, but they’ve gotten more vocal lately.”
They were becoming more than just a bother. He didn’t like it and he knew that Judd and Caleb thought the same. But Kassim didn’t want to come down hard on them. He wanted people to have free will. To be able to speak without fear.
But these people needed watching.
“That’s terrible. Poor Pippa,” Chloe murmured as though she knew her.
Beck stared at her in surprise.
“Oh, um, I mean, the poor Princes’ fiancée, she must feel, I don’t know, rejected.”
“Rejected?” Lord Fothersam scoffed. “She’s marrying some of the richest, most powerful men in the world. I hardly think she feels rejected.”
Chloe sunk into the seat at his words. “You’re right. Of course.”
Actually, Beck thought Chloe had it right. Pippa likely was taking this personally. He wondered if the Princes realized that.
He was sure they did.
“We’re nearly there,” Beck said.
“Good,” Lord Fothersam said. “There’s no need for you both to come inside. We’ll be fine.”
“It’s our job to protect you,” Beck countered. “We’ll both be coming in.”
His Lordship glared at him. Didn’t like not getting his way, did he?
Something about him looked different. Beck studied Chloe. She was staring at . . . his hand?
Beck glanced down and saw the way it twitched. What did that mean?
Then Chloe leaned in to say something to him quietly as the car came to a stop. His Lordship relaxed with a smile.
“Quite right, my dear. I just didn’t want to be inconsiderate and have you stand around all afternoon, likely being bored,” he said to Beck.
Yeah, right.
“Feel free to take a break if you need to, Brick. We won’t be going anywhere.” He climbed out as Owen opened his door.
“He’s not good with names,” Chloe said apologetically.
Beck reached over to grab her hand before she could slide along the seat.
He felt her startle, her gaze moving to His Lordship as though she was worried about his reaction.
From now on, he’d be watching Jonathan more closely. Chloe was his charge just as much as Lord Fothersam was. More so, because she was a female.
Here, women came first. Their safety. Their care.