Chapter Forty-Nine
M ont-Saint-Michel rose against the dusky horizon, its castle walls weathered from centuries of ocean winds and storms.
It was a spectacular sight. As the Rover drove over worn cobblestones toward it, my heart sang with its beauty. It looked like something out of a fairytale. For me, more like a dark retelling of how love was always just out of reach.
From the back of the vehicle, I peered through the front window, watching the driver as he navigated us along the pathway, going slower than I would have liked. Moonlight drenched the narrow road ahead in silver. At high tide, the fortress seemingly floated above the water.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, mesmerized by the rocky island, set far away from the coast.
“Goes all the way back to the eighth century,” said my driver, steering us over a rough patch. “The causeway connects the mainland to that island. It’s only accessible during low tide.”
Although my stomach was in knots, I was proud I had gathered the courage to do what was brave as well as right.
My right heel was scuffed, but my hem would cover it. That, and my scraped palms from my leap of faith back at the hotel, would hopefully go unnoticed.
Ahead of us were several limos. Turning in my seat, I saw the same behind us, no doubt carrying official guests.
“Are you staying here?” asked the driver, his accent heavy.
“No.”
“Mais, Mademoiselle, je ne peux pas revenir pour vous.”
“English, please.” Though I sensed what he was saying.
He held my gaze in the rearview. “I can’t come back for you.”
“I’ll pay you double.”
He glanced over his shoulder at me. “It’s not that. The tide comes in soon. I won’t be able to access this road.”
“Right,” I said, realizing I was going to be stuck after he dropped me off. “What about a boat?”
“Boat?”
Oh, I don’t know, the one provided by someone who worked for my family, I thought, cringing at my entitlement—something I was always trying to outrun.
I had truly outdone myself. This was the most insane decision I’d ever made, being stranded on an island with Jewel Hadley, an international criminal who remained under the protection of governments near and far.
I was just beginning to comprehend the potential terror ahead.
Jewel liked to destabilize countries—I wanted to destabilize her.
I felt each bump, and as the tires encountered rockier ground, I knew I was getting closer to reaching my Greyson.
Thoughts of him anchored me to this moment, making this risky adventure worth it.
A possible future with him beckoned to me. He deserved it. We deserved it. Greyson was just as much a victim as those others who’d been hurt by Jewel.
The Rover pulled up to the main gate.
“Here is fine,” I told the driver, trying not to second guess this decision.
Going back wasn’t an option.
“You have to go through security.” He pointed up the stone stairway.
It made me wonder how Cameron and the others had fared in getting in. They would be furious when they saw me here. But my fury was equal to theirs.
Easing on my mask, I secured it behind my head and checked myself in the rearview. This would have to do.
I opened the car door. “Thank you,” I said. “Are you sure you’ll make it back in time? How long do you have?”
“I’ll make it.” He checked his watch. “I have thirty minutes. I’ve done it in less.”
“Good luck,” I said, impressed with his confidence.
I took a few moments to gather myself outside the castle walls, watching the car head back along the causeway, stranding me here.
The water at the edges of the pathway threatened to completely immerse the cobblestones.
This meant the guests were staying overnight, too.
Up close, the castle was even more imposing. Ivy clung to the outer walls. Crooking my neck, I admired the arched stone windows glowing with light.
Ahead was a towering entryway adorned with intricate ironwork. If that massive door locked, no one was getting in or out.
Lifting my hem, I trekked up the steps, noticing the panoramic view of the coastline the higher I climbed—a grave reminder of how far I had strayed from land.
My thoughts turned to my brother. Please, be safe, Cameron . All your friends, too.
I was terrified for them. Coming here was my idea, even though I sensed they would have flown to this castle for their friend with or without my influence.
A few masked guests were waiting in line to be admitted through those imposing doors.
When it was my turn, I walked up to the couple of guys in tuxedos who were screening the visitors, allowing each one through as they passed.
Flashing my most disarming smile, my voice as smooth as velvet, I said, “Jewel Hadley forgot her phone. She asked me to personally bring it to her.”
The taller one hesitated, eyes darting to my confident stance. “I have to check.”
Opening my clutch, I whipped out my Pulse360 ID. “Here.”
He studied it and then stepped aside, allowing me through.
I was in.
Music welcomed me in the vast foyer. The sense of history here was palpable. I wished it was possible to visit the castle for pleasure, hear about its endless secrets. I certainly wouldn’t want to wander around the place at night.
Scanning the crowd, I searched the masks for Greyson’s eyes.
The setting was startling. I was surrounded by faded tapestries, antique furniture, and medieval armor. Stone archways opened into larger halls with lofty ceilings.
My breath caught in my throat.
The same man— the monster— who had appeared on the camera footage in Greyson’s backyard—the very one who had murdered Amelia by the pool—was standing only a few feet away from me.