Chapter Eleven #2
She smiled to herself. He didn’t sound it. It was fun teasing him.
The head waiter showed them to their table—table thirty—at the back of the restaurant.
‘What are the chances?’ Isabella said as she sat down.
‘I requested it,’ he told her as he pulled out his chair, ‘Just to ensure you couldn’t easily be spotted by any walk-ins.’
Isabella screwed up her face. ‘Your job seems to suck all the joy out of life. Are you ever able to relax?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Between jobs.’
‘I thought you’d relaxed today.’
‘There were moments,’ he said.
‘You were happy,’ she insisted. ‘I saw it. You can’t deny it. It was fun. How long is it since you last had fun like that?’
Theo didn’t want to think about it. His mind was on tomorrow.
He didn’t want to be reminded of that day in St Ives, when he and Sophia had broken the local protocol and flung chips into the sky and set off world war three—or the gull war, as they’d named it.
He hadn’t wanted to be reminded of it. It somehow felt disloyal that he’d had fun with another woman. This woman.
He’d never wanted any other woman. But getting involved with this woman would break all the rules. Personal and professional.
‘A while,’ he simply said.
‘That’s so sad.’
Her expression looked sad, but the Princess was so upbeat. What was going on? She’d been almost flirty in the car. And yet tomorrow she knew that he would be taking her back to Rubanestein. Surely, she should be fearful. Apprehensive.
Instead, she seemed almost gleeful. What was that about?
Unless this entire adventure of hers had been a fraud, an adventure of her making, and now she was relieved that the game was over, and she was glad to be going home.
For Theo, who’d rescued people who’d wanted to be rescued, who’d wanted to go home, her constant flip-flopping made no sense.
Except, he had to admit to his own flip-flopping.
His take on the Princess seemed to change at every turn.
She was supposed to be innocent and naive.
She’d proved herself to be anything but.
She was supposed to be a woman who hungered for the crown, and who’d turned her platinum hair, her crowning glory, into a crown of colours, and shown not one iota of interest in wanting to be the leader of Rubanestein or in inciting some rebellion.
On the contrary, she seemed to be happy living half a world away and having nothing to do with her homeland.
Theo tried to pull it all together as Millie delivered menus to their table, trying to pretend she wasn’t intrigued at them being together.
Her brother’s story made little sense. Her story made less.
But maybe, just maybe her story was right.
What if her story was right? It was bizarre and so far out there that it seemed impossible, but what if she’d been telling the truth all this time?
Millie arrived to take their drink orders. There was more she wanted to say, Theo could tell, seeing the questions so clearly swimming in her eyes, but she said nothing, merely taking their orders. Sparkling water for the table, and a glass of pinot noir for Isabella.
‘Do you want to tell me about it,’ she asked, ‘about that other time you felt so happy?’
‘Not really,’ he said, turning his attention to the menu. ‘Now, what do you like to order?’
‘We had a good day today,’ she said, looking over the menu.
‘Haven’t we already discussed this? Why are you bringing that up again?’
‘Because we did.’
He could find no way to disagree. ‘It was fine.’
‘You laughed,’ she said. ‘You had a good time.’
‘It has been known to happen.’
‘I bet, not for a long time.’
He said nothing but his silence spoke volumes.
‘So,’ he said. ‘What would you like to order?’
‘I think I’m going to have the steak,’ Isabella said, closing her menu, ‘medium rare. With the garlic roasted chats on the side.’
Theo grunted.
‘Something wrong?’ she said.
‘No,’ he said, closing his menu as Millie returned to their table bearing their drinks.
‘Are you ready to order now?’
‘Two scotch fillets, medium rare, with side of the roasted chats for two. And if you could,’ he added, ‘we’d appreciate it if you would move us up the order.’
Millie nodded and smiled. ‘I can do that,’ she said, and promptly disappeared into the kitchen.
Isabella surveyed him through her lashes as she took a sip of her wine.
Was that the reason for his grump, that she had chosen the exact same meal as him?
Was he annoyed that they had even this one more thing in common than the way they took their coffee?
Theo was baffling to her. An insufferable mix of kidnapper and yet self-proclaimed protector—allegedly. Every time the door opened, his head swivelled, checking who was going in or out.
‘You’re making me nervous.’
‘What?’
She waved an arm towards the door. ‘All that constant head swivelling. Who are you expecting?’
‘I’m protecting your safety. If you don’t appreciate that, then I’m sorry.’
‘If you’re interested in protecting my safety, you wouldn’t be delivering me back to Rubanestein like a trussed-up chicken. You’d be helping me get away and stay away. You’d be protecting me from my brother.’
‘You keep saying that.’
‘Because it’s true! And you are going to feel like one stupid jackass when you realise it.’
Theo said nothing. Simply swivelled his neck when the door opened again. Isabella turned to look, too. Theo stared at the entrants, a couple with three children, and turned back, apparently immediately discounting them as a threat.
‘Gosh,’ she said. ‘Do nefarious agents not use children for cover any more? Times have certainly changed in the world of subterfuge.’
‘Give it up, Princess. That family was in the museum when we visited today. If they’d wanted to make a move on you, they could easily have followed us to Ned’s Beach and snatched you there.’
‘Oh.’ Isabella vaguely remembered other visitors being in the shop when they’d visited but hadn’t taken in the details.
‘Yes. “Oh.” You see, I do know something about my business.’
Isabella felt the rebuke like a smack. Even though she no doubt deserved it, she regretted her words. She was supposed to be trying to make Theo feel closer to her. To make him warm to her. To make him see that she was more than just another recovery.
Thankfully Millie arrived then, delivering their meals.
‘Two steaks, medium rare,’ she said, placing the sizzling plates on the table in front of them, ‘with a side of garlic roasted chats.’ She held her tray vertically in front of her.
‘Is there anything else I can get for you? Are you all right for drinks.’
‘Thank you,’ Theo said. ‘Nothing else.’
The steak was perfect. Izzy’s knife sliced through the tender steak as if it were butter, the roasted potatoes crispy garlic perfection. She’d ordered thinking she needed to keep her energy for the night ahead. But her appetite had disappeared, and she barely finished half her meal.
It was impossible to eat while she felt her frustration mounting. This was crunch time. Tomorrow hung over her neck like a noose. She had to make one of her plans work. But she had to get him talking. She had to get him warming to her.
Theo was not acting like someone who wanted to talk or warm to her.
It was like he’d recognised that he’d let his guard down at Ned’s Beach today, and that he’d revealed too much of himself and so was trying to shut himself down.
She took a deep breath. What she needed was a different angle. Less combative.
‘So, the plan for tomorrow is that we take the flight to Sydney,’ she started, twirling her glass of pinot noir, ‘and then we board your private jet to Rubanestein?’
‘That’s the plan,’ he confirmed.
‘Still the plan?’
‘Still the plan, Princess. The plan hasn’t changed. The plan has always been set in concrete.’
‘I knew that,’ she said on a sigh, because Isabella couldn’t help but be dismayed.
She’d hoped Theo’s attitude to her was softening, but despite her arguments and her pleas, he was resolute in returning her to the place she least wanted to be.
‘But is there any chance you might possibly relent? Maybe give me more of a chance to prove what’s in store for me when you return me home? ’
‘Why would I do that? You’ve already had two days to convince me, and you haven’t yet.’
She lifted her glass, went to take a sip and put it down again out of frustration. ‘I hate that you don’t believe me. I think I hate you right now. Excuse me, but I need to go to the bathroom.’
‘Don’t try to sneak out a window, Princess. We’ve already done that. It’s getting old.’
She stood up and walked away. What chance did she have to win Theo over to her side? How was she going to seduce him? Her Plan A was a confection. A faint hope.
How could she possibly seduce a man who was more like a robot? Unemotional. Wedded to his purpose. Oblivious to reason. His brief glimmer today of a human hidden beneath that shell of concrete completely and utterly snuffed out.
How did anyone, let alone her, seduce a man made of stone?
It was impossible.
Millie caught her arm on her way back. ‘What’s going on?’ she whispered. ‘Are you sure you don’t need help? I can call the policeman now, if you want.’
Izzy shook her head, running a hand through her hair. ‘It’s a long and boring story, Millie. You really don’t want to hear it.’
‘You’re wrong there, but I guess if you can’t tell me, you can’t tell me. And if it’s an easier question, let me know how you’re placed for shifts next week.’
‘I wish, but it looks like I’ll be leaving the island tomorrow if the airport reopens, so tonight looks like it’s goodbye.
One day I hope to be able to explain it all.
’ Although she very much wondered when that might be possible.
Izzy wrapped her fingers around Millie’s hand.
‘Meanwhile, thank you so much for your friendship. It’s been fun working with you. ’
Millie frowned. ‘Are you sure it’s all okay between you and—’ she glanced over Izzy’s shoulder ‘—him.’
‘It’s, uh, complicated. Trust me, and maybe one day I can tell you.’
‘I want that,’ Millie said. ‘I want to know all is good in your world.’ The two quickly embraced. ‘And know that whenever you come back, you’ll always have a job here.’
Izzy felt tears pricking her eyes. ‘Thank you. That means the world to me.’
Izzy was almost back to their table when Millie caught up. ‘Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.’
‘Tell me what?’
‘Apparently two guys came in today at lunch when I was off duty. It was weird because they said they were looking for someone called Erin but they showed a photo that looked a bit like you.’
Ice flowed through Izzy’s veins, fear stiffening her spine. ‘What were they told?’
‘That they didn’t recognise the photo. But apparently it really looked like you, Izzy. Apparently, now you’ve washed the colour from your hair, she looked like a dead ringer for you.’ Millie frowned. ‘Are they looking for you? Are you sure you’re not in trouble?’
‘What’s going on?’
Neither Isabella nor Millie had noticed that Theo had joined them. Millie started, as if afraid to confront Theo directly.
‘Someone was asking questions earlier today,’ Izzy said. ‘Someone looking for a blonde woman who looks just like me.’
‘But how did they get here?’ Theo asked. ‘The airport is closed.’
‘Apparently a private launch arrived this morning, mooring at the supply boat dock. People noticed it because it was so crazy to attempt making the crossing from the mainland in that weather. Nobody had seen either of them before. They must have been from the boat.’
‘Can you describe them?’
‘Only from what I heard. They were broad-shouldered and wearing suits. They didn’t look like tourists.’
Theo cursed. ‘Get your things,’ he told the Princess. ‘We have to go.’
‘Should I call the police?’ Millie asked.
‘No. No police.’ He dropped a stack of bills on the table. ‘That should take care of the bill and a tip for you.’ He nodded. ‘Thank you. In case anyone asks, we weren’t here.’
Millie was still chewing her lip as Izzy squeezed her arm. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.’
Izzy wished she believed her own words as Theo headed the car for the apartment. He was angry, she could tell, no doubt at the accursed weather for delaying their departure, no doubt at knowing that whoever else was tracking her was getting close.
But his anger in no way matched hers.
‘Well played, Theo. You were the one to demand I wash the colour from my hair.’
‘What of it?’
‘And so people noticed a resemblance. It’s only because the waiters were suspicious that they pleaded ignorance.
But who else have they—whoever they are—flashed that photo to and who aren’t suspicious enough to want to protect my privacy?
You did that. You made me instantly recognisable by making me wash the colour from my hair. ’
‘You don’t know that.’ But he did know for a fact that he’d flashed the photo of a smiling blonde princess to Tom Parker, and it had stirred his memories, even though her hair had been coloured all the colours of the rainbow.
‘You do! You were so incensed that I’d dared colour my hair and sully my Princess roots that you made me wash it out. You were so sure that we’d be on a plane the next day that you didn’t think for a moment that maybe it was better to keep my disguise in place until we were on our way?’
He growled, a low and guttural sound emanating from his throat.
‘Is that all you’ve got to say, bounty hunter?’
‘Anyone might have recognised you in that photo anyway, colour or no colour.’
‘Might have. But you ensured it was a certainty. Thanks for protecting me. I think I was actually doing better by myself.’
She flung her head back against the headrest. Hell.
What was she going to do now? Her backup plan to make a scene at the airport was looking increasingly more perilous.
If she made a scene, if there were agents on the island looking for her, and one of them was no doubt stationed at the airport watching every departure—it wouldn’t just be security who noticed.
Was that preferable to trusting Theo?