Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
T he next morning, Rome woke in his own bed, with Sofie plastered to his side, and her hair spread all over his chest.
Sofie was in his bed.
It felt damn good.
He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Crap . She had a press conference at the Norcross Security office in an hour, to talk about the attack at the Palace Hotel.
He slid his hand down to cup her hip. He wanted to stay in bed all day, but duty called.
He slipped out of the bed. She murmured, but didn’t wake. He smiled. He’d kept her up a little late, testing out his bed.
When he returned from the bathroom, she’d moved into his spot in the bed, hugging his pillow.
A bolt of emotion punched through him. He liked Princess Sofia of Caldova right there.
He crouched beside the bed. “Sofie?” He pushed her hair off her face.
Her pretty brown eyes opened the tiniest crack and she grunted.
Shit, she was cute. “You’ve got a press conference in one hour.”
She blinked, then exploded off the bed.
“I have to shower. And do my hair.” She gasped. “I hope Vander packed my hair dryer.”
Rome grabbed her, and kissed her long and slow. “You look beautiful all the time.”
Her face softened. “Who knew you could be charming?”
“I have my moments.” He spied a bruise on her neck and touched it. “Crap, looks like I left a mark.”
She smiled. “I can hide it, but we’ll both know it’s there.”
He gave her butt a light slap. “Go and get ready.”
When she came downstairs, she wore a long, black skirt and a cream top. A jaunty scarf was tied around her neck, hiding the hickey. Her hair was piled up on her head, and her makeup emphasized her eyes.
They kept breakfast simple—toast and cereal—before he hustled her into the X6 under the watchful gaze of the guards.
It was a short drive to the Norcross Security office. The street outside the converted warehouse was lined with news vans, but Rome drove straight into the underground parking.
Sofie dragged in a breath. “Time for Princess Sofia mode.”
“I’ll be right with you.”
They walked upstairs, but before they reached the top, he stopped and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
Her tense body went lax.
“ Mmm .” She had a dazed, smiling look on her face.
“Go and do your thing,” he said. “Once it’s done, we can get to work on researching the Black Fox gang.”
She nodded.
When they stepped into the main level of the warehouse, reporters were sitting in chairs that had been set out. The central space was all open, with a polished concrete floor and industrial metal touches. Glass walls enclosed the offices along the sides.
Rome led her over to the microphone. Vander stood nearby, nodded. There were various Norcross Security guards dotted around.
“Good morning,” Sofie said. “I wanted to talk a little about the terrible attack at the charity luncheon yesterday.”
Rome folded his hands in front of him and listened as she spoke. She spoke well—clearly, keeping things simple. She smiled at the right moments, appeared grave at others.
“Princess Sofia?” A female reporter raised her hand. “Is this the work of the thieves targeting the jewelry of the exhibition?”
“I don’t know,” Sofia answered. “I’m leaving it to the experts. The San Francisco police have been wonderful. I appreciate all their hard work.”
“Princess?” A male reporter stood. “You’re lucky you weren’t hurt, or worse.”
Rome glared at the weasel. He could already see the hungry look on the man’s face. He wanted to relive the salacious details of the attack.
“Yes, I am very fortunate to have amazing protection provided by Norcross Security.” She nodded at Vander.
“Princess Sofia?” another woman said. “There have been some photos circulating of you in your bodyguard’s arms. Can you tell me about your relationship? You appear very close.”
Rome stiffened and felt some gazes glance his way.
Sofia’s smile cooled. “When you spend twenty-four hours a day with someone, and trust them with your life, yes, you get close. Especially after a frightening attack. As I said, I’m extremely grateful for the work of Norcross Security.
” She looked around. “That’s all, thank you.
I look forward to your support of the gala, and the Glittering Court Exhibition.
We’re raising money for a very worthy cause.
Thank you.” She stepped away from the microphone.
Rome stepped in and took her arm. More reporters shouted out questions, but he ignored them and led her away.
He took her down to Ace’s computer room. It was one of the few spaces with no windows or glass walls, and offered more privacy.
Once they were inside, she blew out a breath.
Ace was kicked back in a chair, a coffee mug in hand. “Vultures gone?”
“Not soon enough,” Rome said. “Sofie, this is our tech guru, Ace Olivera.”
“Hello, Ace.”
“Nice to meet you, Princess Sofia. Although I hear you go by Sofie.” The man shot her a wide smile.
“I do.”
On-screen, Rome watched the guards herding the reporters out of the office.
“So,” Ace said, “ready to get to work on the Black Fox gang? If that’s exciting enough for Robin Hood.” Ace winked.
Sofie flushed prettily.
“What have you got?” Rome knew Ace would have already been digging.
Ace tapped the keyboard and data filled the screens. There was a global map covered in red dots.
“I’ve got a lot. The gang’s been operating for years, and growing bolder over recent months.”
Sofie studied the screens, her face serious. “I have a few more of their jobs to add.” She pulled her laptop out of her bag.
She and Ace swapped data. They sat at Ace’s desk, heads pressed together, and Rome leaned against the wall and watched.
Ace pulled up some of the files he’d collected. Sofie studied the screen.
Rome suddenly saw her stiffen. He glanced over and saw a picture of an attractive brunette on the screen.
“Sofie?” He moved up behind her.
“That’s Tori.” A sad smile crossed her face. “I miss her so much.”
Rome didn’t care that Ace was there, he pulled her out of her chair and to his chest.
She held on for a second, then patted his chest. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“Vander picked up some chatter from some informants,” Ace said.
“I did.” Vander strode in. “My informant said the thieves are after the Sapphire Wave Tiara.”
“I already suspected as much,” Sofie said.
Vander crossed his arms. “And they’re going to target the gala night.”
Rome cursed. “You’re not wearing it.”
Sofie straightened. “It’s the centerpiece of the exhibit. I’m not going to let these cowards dictate my actions.”
Rome cursed again.
She grabbed his hand. “I have faith you’ll keep me safe. Besides, doesn’t it make sense to lure them out?”
He growled. “I’m not fucking using you as bait.”
She turned to Vander. “Is there any progress on identifying my stalker?”
“Guy’s a ghost,” Ace said.
“No one’s a ghost,” Vander said.
“I’ve been analyzing all the CCTV from the Palace Hotel security,” Ace said. “Seeing if anyone popped coming in and out. Tedious, and it’s totally possible he slipped in without being spotted by a camera.”
“So, you’ve got nothing?” Rome said.
“I didn’t say that.” Ace grinned. “I am brilliant, after all.”
An image appeared on the screen. It showed a room filled with smoke, with the dark shape of a man.
“This was taken from the ballroom where Sofie beaned the guy with a chair,” Ace said.
Vander stared at the screen. “Not much to go on.”
“He’s about six feet tall, give or take. Slim build.”
“It’s a start.” Rome glared at the shadowy shape. You can’t have her, asshole. I will stop you.
“I got something else via Hunt,” Ace continued.
A picture of a trim woman with ash-blonde hair flicked up on screen.
Sofie straightened like she’d been prodded. “That’s Chantal Lockwood. She organized the luncheon at the Palace Hotel. She’s a British socialite. She’s pleasant, friendly. We move in similar circles.”
Ace crossed his arms. “She purchased the makings of a firebomb a few days ago. Likely used in the firebombing at the first robbery.”
Sofie gasped. “ No . It can’t be. I like her. I trust her.”
Rome gripped Sofie’s shoulder. “What do you know about her?”
Sofie swallowed. “She’s in her mid-forties, and married to a wealthy British viscount, and travels around the world doing her charity work. Her husband is in his eighties and it’s rumored she likes men.” Sofie wrinkled her nose.
“What?” Rome prompted.
“It’s just gossip…”
“Tell us.”
“She likes her men young…and a little kinky. Look, she can’t be involved with this.”
“Is there anything linking Lockwood to the Black Fox gang?” Vander asked.
“Nothing overt,” Ace conceded. “But my search did find this.”
It was a still from a CCTV security feed. It showed Chantal and Boris Petrovich meeting at a coffee shop at Fisherman’s Wharf.
“Could be a coincidence,” Vander said, sounding unconvinced.
Rome studied the way the pair kept a low profile. “They didn’t want to be seen together.”
“She’s part of the Black Fox gang.” Sofie’s voice vibrated with anger and disbelief.
“We can’t prove that, but I think we need to do some surveillance on her,” Vander said. “This is incriminating, but not solid enough evidence.”
“I’m in,” Sofie said.
Rome stiffened. “Sofie—”
“ No . I won’t stay hidden, and locked up, and doing nothing.” Her chin lifted.
Vander raised a brow. “I think if you stay with Rome, and go undercover, some surveillance work will be fine.”
Rome grunted. “You just don’t want the surveillance job.”
Vander shrugged.
“What?” Sofie asked.
“Surveillance is boring,” Rome said.
“Surely not. This could prove that Chantal is involved or not. It could help us bring down the thieves.”
Rome shook his head. “Let’s go, Sherlock.”
* * *
Excitement whipped along Sofie’s veins.
She and Rome walked down the street. She was wearing khaki cargo pants and a sweater. She looked a little dowdy, because the sweater was way too big. She also wore a black wig in a bob style. Her hair was tucked underneath and hidden away.