Chapter Forty-Eight
C ameron would not let me fly to France alone.
The moment I walked in the door after visiting Pulse360 and told him Greyson had shown up at the station, hunting for Jewel, everything changed.
Without a word, we sprang into action. The urgency in his eyes made it clear: this was no longer just a conversation—it was a full-blown mission.
Cameron and I grabbed our passports and packed overnight bags. I remembered to bring my ID from work—just in case.
Intuition, I guess.
We boarded our private plane with little fuss.
We needed to make sure Greyson didn’t do anything to compromise his safety. The message he passed on for Jewel about building a mausoleum was a serious death threat, cloaked in his dark humor.
When I saw who else was on the plane—Atticus and Jake—I realized we all had the same mission. Greyson was on the verge of doing something reckless. They, too, wanted to protect their friend.
Initially, I’d been wary of the man with the hand tattoo, but I warmed up to Atticus while we all sat together in the jet’s lounge, getting to know each other better. Shay had joined us, too. Cameron rarely went anywhere abroad without his security expert to smooth the way.
All their in-joking proved they were all well acquainted. Though the conversation turned serious when we shared our fears for one of the most wonderful men any of us had ever met.
We sipped Cole tea as I updated them on everything I had discovered, even sharing what I’d learned during my last visit to Pulse360. At least we knew how Jewel had learned about Chad’s continued investigation—Chloe was the breach. Though with more answers came more questions.
Perhaps we could find more clarity in France.
We took advantage of the sleep pods that enabled passengers to lay flat. The only passenger who didn’t seem to sleep was Shay.
He and my brother were strategizing what we would do and where we would stay upon arrival. Shay had brought tactical gear, too, disguised as sports equipment. As a retired Navy SEAL, Shay was a tactical expert. He reassured us that if we followed his advice, we could be kept safe.
I hoped we weren’t too late.
We landed at Caen-Carpiquet Airport in the early hours.
Cameron had booked us rooms at the H?tel Barrière Le Grand in Dinard. Staying at least a 30-minute drive away from Mont-Saint-Michel was wise.
It also meant we could mostly stay under the radar and avoid the security measures in place. With so many dignitaries at the event, the gala’s organizers would be alert for new arrivals in the area.
I’d wanted to stay closer, because we could search the area close to the castle for Greyson. With the day ahead, he might even take a trip into town to sightsee the local architecture.
Our hotel suites were spacious, with private terraces and an understated elegance that would normally be appreciated, but nothing could settle my nerves. Greyson was all I could think about.
Cameron, Shay, and the others spent the day together, plotting in one of the suites. I was ordered to stay in my room.
When I gatecrashed their brunch in Jake’s and Atticus’ suite, they suddenly switched the conversation to football, regaling the infamous games that had made Jake Carrington a legend.
I joined them in the suite’s sitting room.
“Are you all coming with us?” I asked, taking a seat across from Cameron.
Silence…the uncomfortable kind.
They shared wary glances.
“Willa,” Cameron said, his tone filled with sympathy.
Then I realized what they had decided.
“You have to let me go with you,” I bit out. “I’ve investigated Jewel.”
“Not sure what it is you have in mind,” said Shay. “We’re retrieving Greyson and then we’re out.”
I pushed up from the chair. “I brought a dress for the gala.”
“I’m sorry,” said Shay. “You can’t go.”
“What?”
“What you have achieved is astonishing,” said Atticus. “We are all super proud of you.”
“Tell them,” I said to Cameron. “Tell them I’m going with you.”
Cameron shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
I stormed out of the room.
Back in my suite, the one I shared with my brother, I paced furiously back and forth. How dare they wait this long to tell me.
I heard the swipe of a keycard and Cameron entered the room, his gaze falling on the gold, silk gown laying on my bed. Beside it lay a black filigree masquerade mask.
Cameron gave me a look of disapproval.
“It’s Mia’s,” I said.
I had borrowed it from her, along with the mask. We were similar in size and with no time to buy anything, she had gladly leant them to me.
Cameron looked concerned. “Security is tight.”
“A woman dressed provocatively can access events like this.” I motioned for him to turn around and then shimmied out of my jeans.
I pulled on the gown. “Do me up.”
“Willa.”
“I’ll go back to the others and ask one of them to zip me up.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
I spun around, holding the dress against my chest so it didn’t slip. “Greyson’s going to get himself killed. I’m terrified he’ll sacrifice his life to put an end to this.”
An end to her…Hadley.
“We will be right back, with Greyson.” Cameron stepped toward me. “We’re leaving soon. I need you to stay here.”
A stab of panic caused my throat to tighten. “This is so unfair.”
He pointed next door. “This is Shay’s mission. We’re merely tagging along.”
“Why can’t I?”
“We can’t be watching out for you.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “You mean babysit me?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“You’re infuriating.”
“No one will forgive me if anything happens to you.” His tone softened. “Least of all me.”
I shook my head. How many times had they had Jewel in their sights and did nothing?
I knew why, though. She was above the law, wielding her influence like a weapon.
“He cares for you deeply,” said Cameron. “He wouldn’t want you to follow him.”
Greyson. I shuddered, realizing they knew he had stepped into danger.
For me.
“She used me,” I said. “She knew I’d lead her to Greyson’s secret.”
“That’s why she sat Chloe in the cubicle beside yours.” Cameron nodded, having figured it out, too.
“She was going to use me to destroy him.” Tears stung my eyes.
Cameron pulled me into a tight hug. I relaxed against him, drawing comfort from his strength, from his enduring compassion.
“We’ll bring him back,” he whispered.
I pulled away, looking up at him with a plea in my eyes. “Just make sure he doesn’t do anything that gets him killed.”
I changed out of the gown and there came a sharp knock at the door. Shay entered, looking suavely rugged in a black tuxedo.
Cameron changed into his tuxedo, too, using the long mirror to fix his bowtie. He seemed perfectly at ease with leaving me behind.
“Forgive me,” he said, with Shay watching.
My brother’s effortless sophistication made everything he did look intentional. He carried himself with a calm confidence as if nothing in the world could touch him.
Shay pointed at me. “You have to trust us.”
Reluctantly, I gave a nod, unable to hide my disappointment. Still, I had managed to come this far.
Within minutes, they headed out, leaving me standing alone on the balcony. I watched them leave the hotel and climb into a town car, all dressed up in their tuxedos, as though this was acceptable camouflage for their extraction plan.
Nagging doubt made me fear what might happen if they failed to access the castle.
I retreated into the suite, moved to tears of frustration.
I donned the gown again, and with difficulty, fastened the clasps at my nape.
Fixing my hair to make myself more presentable, I then worked on my makeup—just mascara and a touch of lipstick, enough to blend in but not draw attention. I sat on the bed and slipped into my silver heels, securing the sleek straps.
Grabbing my phone, key card, and my ID, I slipped them into my purse and headed for the door.
Damn it…
Shay had thought ahead and posted a guard, either to keep others out or me in, or both. It was hard to tell.
The man had received his orders, though, that much was obvious from the way he
shook his head at my request to leave, signaling I wasn’t going anywhere.
There was literally a sentry outside my room.
Arguing with him was pointless.
Back on my balcony, I gauged the distance to the one next door, belonging to the room where Atticus and Jake were staying.
The way to the other side was a leap, but wearing this gown meant every movement felt like an obstacle.
I took off my heels and threw them over to the other balcony, watching them tumble, each landing with a soft clink. I threw my silver purse over the railing, and it landed near the shoes.
My breath quickened as I bit into my lip, feeling a surge of panic that I was really going to do this.
Clutching the ribbon from the masquerade mask between my teeth, I approached the railing with my palms slick with tension.
I climbed up, balancing precariously on the railing with my heart thundering, the metal digging into my soles. The space between the balconies seemed to stretch farther as I surveyed the drop.
I took a deep breath and leaped.
Time slowed and then sped up.
My aim was off, the gap too wide.
My fingers grazed the edge of the iron bars, and I managed to grasp on to the railing, dangling in the air, feeling the terrible strain of my weight.
Don’t look down. My hands started to slip off the edge of the railing, the air leaving my lungs.
I must, for him…
With all my might, I hoisted myself up and over the balcony railing, knees slamming against the bars and crashing onto the other side.
I’d barely made it.
The adrenaline rush made me feel nauseated as I thought of the insane risk I’d just taken.
I got to my feet, ignoring my stinging palms, and grabbed my shoes. I made my way through the balcony door and paused to put on my heels before moving swiftly across the room.
I cautiously opened the door, seeing the guard outside my room, looking in the opposite direction down the hallway.
I tiptoed out, closing the door as quietly as possible.
Afraid the elevator might ding on its arrival to my floor, I decided to take the stairs and pushed open the fire door.
I scurried down the steps, around and around, gripping the orate railing, and eventually entered the hotel foyer.
Out of breath, I approached the front desk. “I’m going to need a car, please.”
I’m coming for you Greyson. I’ll prove to you just how powerful true love can be. I’ll restore your faith in humanity.