Legal Attraction: A Romantic Suspense Novel (Legally Suspenseful Romance)

Chapter 16

Something was up with Coral. And Lucan had called for a zoom meeting that night. Coral had said nothing about the meeting. Either Coral didn’t know or she was madder at him than he realized. His feet wanted to follow her. He had to physically stop them from going down the same hallway. Instead, he turned and went the opposite direction, where the others were gathering to catch dinner and drinks. It was going to be a long couple hours.

Finally, after cutting out of drinks early, Rand was home, a sweatshirt pulled over his t-shirt, his laptop open, opening a video conference call. When they let him in, a good group was already gathered and people were talking. He recognized Nico’s voice. He scrolled through the faces. Everyone at The Palisades and a lot of men who looked remotely related to Nico. Coral. She had her hair in a bun on top of her head. So he and Coral had both known about this meeting and said nothing to each other.

A private message dinged. “You knew and didn’t say anything.”

“Pot kettle.”

She sent a frowny face.

“Can we talk?”

She sent another frowny face.

And then Nico began the meeting. “We know why we’re here. Besides our typical group, we’ve included Rand McCarthy, one of our attorneys. He was there at the Palisades and I think brings a lot to the table with his experience.”

Rand nodded and lifted his hand.

Lucan began his report. “Thank you for being here. We have all heard by now the major piece that concerns us regarding these terrorist attacks. Royals. All violent measures were targeted at royals.”

Rand had not known that detail.

Is this what you didn’t tell me in your office?

She didn’t answer.

“And while we have all been hit one way or another, there are some who have not yet had any kind of measures taken against them.” He shuffled his papers. “Coral, will your parents be joining us?”

“I assume so? We’ve been in contact.”

“We’re here.” Coral’s mother waved a hand.

“Excellent, King Anasas, and Queen. It is good to see you. Your country is one that has not yet had a breach.”

Lucan muted everyone. “Before we continue, even though this is an encrypted location and we have a level of trust in this circle, please do not mention the locations of our various royals.”

Interesting. How many knew Coral was here in Virginia?

Rand unmuted himself. “I’m interested to hear what we know.”

“Right, yes. Moving on to that. We have been targeted by a terrorist group who call themselves Othello.”

So they had a name.

“We have tracked a few key players, but we don’t have a leader in our sights yet. We don’t have a game plan. We don’t have their next target. We have very little.”

“But at least we have discovered an actual group and are now aware of the royal connection.”

“Yes. Though I’m certain that knowledge is not entirely reassuring to any of us.”

“They have not yet broached the Western hemisphere, that we’re aware of.”

Rand ran a hand through his hair. That was comforting and eerie at the same time. Were they sitting around waiting for something bad to happen? He wasn’t. He snapped his laptop shut, grabbed his car keys, pocketed his phone and headed to Coral’s.

He nodded to the security guys out in the street then nodded into the video surveillance watching the front door. He didn’t bother knocking. And the door swung open after a moment.

“Her highness is not expecting you.”

He waited.

After a moment, the door opened.

Rand made his way toward the voices of the video conference and then sat next to Coral, his face in the camera.

Was it his imagination or did Nico smirk just a little in response?

“Hey.”

Coral breathed out a little extra huffy but didn’t say anything. She reached for his hand.

They sat together listening to the rest of the meeting which was a highly detailed and impressive plan on how to track down Othello, how to keep tabs on its known members and how to keep the royals safe.

“The worst part about all of this is we’re going to need to put a limit on all royal gatherings.” Nico pulled up his phone. “No karaoke nights. No sailing. No regatta.”

“Woa, wait.” Lucan shook his head. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“About what?” Nico frowned.

“We can’t give up living just because we found out some people are trying to kill us.”

The silence that descended lingered for a time.

“What are we supposed to do? Walk around like targets?” Astra, one of the attorneys from their firm spoke up.

“No, but they’ve been trying to perform violent acts against us for years and we are all still functioning.”

Rand grunted and unmuted. “No one was killed or even seriously injured at the Palisades.”

“There have been deaths though.” Nico flipped a pen around in his hand. “Usually collateral damage, outside of or next to a royal target.”

Lucan frowned. “So we have a less than capable enemy or someone just trying to make a point?”

“Or maybe royals aren’t the target at all, just coincidentally always there.” Coral’s hand was cold. She looked tense. She still hadn’t looked at him, but her hand clung to his like a lifeline so he stayed very still and attentive.

“What if they are trying to send a message?”

“I mean, email works great.” One of the other princes shook his head.

“Stay alert. Communicate back with the group. Use the secure servers and settings. We’ll call another video chat when we have more information.” Lucan lifted a hand and then turned off the meeting.

Rand pressed Coral’s hand to his mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

She sighed and then leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m not mad at your shoulder.”

His laugh was low and quiet. “Or my hand?”

“Or your hand.”

He nodded. They sat for a few minutes not saying anything. She nestled into him and he thought about all that had been discussed.

She finally said, “I’m not going home.”

“Good.”

“Do you think that’s the right choice?”

“I do. Like they said, this is the safe part of the hemisphere.”

“And my parents? Everyone makes it sound like they’re up next or something.”

“They’re gonna be just fine. They might have avoided an attack so far just because of their great security.”

“And the island is not easily accessible. We take our private planes in.”

“See. I don’t think just because they haven’t been attacked that they will be.”

She nodded against him. “I set up a meeting with Muskanza tomorrow, or at least I tried to.”

Though Rand was surprised at the shift in topic, he squeezed her hand. “Getting to know the client?”

“Yes, and I see so many things that concern me. Frankly, they are shady. So I want to see what I think with a face to face meeting.”

“Do you want to bring a partner with you? It actually might be required…”

“Are you sitting here as my friend or my boss?”

“Do we have to separate the two?”

“Right now? Yes.”

“Then, your friend…. although, did you just friend zone me?”

“Stop. Do you really want to try and define us right now?”

“I guess not. Fine. Go.”

“So, I just want to go talk to the client by myself. It works better for what I’m trying to accomplish anyway.”

“Which is?”

“To take them by surprise, get them to open up. Be on their side, so to speak.”

“Ah, so you aren’t necessarily representing the firm.”

“Not really.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Thank you.”

He inwardly winced and then said what was on his mind. “Don’t make any promises.”

She lifted her head to narrow her eyes at him. “Like, say, making history? Setting legal precedents?”

“Yeah, like those. Come on, Coral. You aren’t authorized to do anything like that with a client.”

“If I hadn’t just learned I was the target of an international terrorist, I might be more in the mood to fight you.”

“As is.” He pulled her into his arms. “How do you feel about all this?” He ran a hand down her hair. “You okay?”

She didn’t say anything just melted into him like everything he did was so desperately needed. She turned her face into his shoulder and for a minute, he thought she might cry. He pulled her tighter. “We can work through this.” All he wanted was to fix this, to help her get through it, to scare away the bad guys. Something grew inside him, something bold.

“I’ll stay here. We’ll be together until we’re sure you’re safe.”

She went very still and then lifted her head and turned to face him. “Rand?”

“I don’t mean like live together. I just.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what to do here. I don’t want you to be alone.”

She turned to the door. “Tony?”

A huge man stepped in the door. “Miss?”

“Thank you.”

He stepped back out the door.

“I am not alone.” She sighed. “And Rand. Do you really think we know each other well enough for you to come swooping in here and saving me? Moving in? As what? My personal bodyguard?”

“It wouldn’t be such a bad job…” He winked.

And then she laughed, which is what he hoped to accomplish. “You think I’m crazy, but the offer stands.” He shrugged. “And now. I think the most important thing we can do is play Speed.” He pulled a deck of cards out of his back pocket and tossed it on the table.

“Rand. No.” She shook her head. “I have case files to read.”

“Then we’ll read them together.”

She was about to say no again but he held up his hands. “I’ll not force myself of course. I just think it would be a good idea to have some company tonight. You’ve had some weird news. Let me stay a little while.”

She dipped her head and then a small smile appeared. “Okay. Thank you.”