Billionaire Prince by Minx Hardbringer, Jenna Chase Page B

on the nightstand with a note.
    Call your Nana. She’s worried about you.
    “Nana, are you alright?” I gasp into the phone when my grandmother picks up the video call.
    “Oh yes, sweetie. There is a very nice man here. He came and those other awful men looked terrified. They left quietly, and Salem is here with me now. Say hello, Salem.” She says and turns the phone so that I can see a man who looks very much like Abir’s twin sitting on my Nana’s couch eating her lemon cookies and drinking from one of her horse mugs.
    “His name is Salem?”
    “That’s what he said. He said that he’s going to stay here for a while until he’s sure I’m safe. He said that you’ve been invited to stay at the Princes mansion for a while, and that I might get to come see you there.” She says and smiles. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Lorelei?” She sounds excited, not scared.
    “I don’t know, Nana. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” I say and wink at her.
    I don’t want her to know I’m scared. I don’t want her to know the men Salem scared off were holding her hostage because I’m a jewel thief. Was a jewel thief. I don’t want to be involved in this anymore. There has to be a way out.
    When we disconnect, I tell her I’ll call her later. I go out to the courtyard because I figure a swim will help me burn off some of my nervous energy until I know what’s going on. If I’m being held prisoner here, I might as well enjoy it.
    The outside air should be unbearably hot, but the courtyard is perfect. I step onto the cool tiles, and I shiver. The air is cool, but the water is just right. I swim a few laps, and a woman dressed in a maid’s uniform appears and asks me if I’d like a drink.
    “A margarita?” I ask quietly. I’m not sure if I’m pushing it.
    “Right away, Ma’am.” She says and leaves without another word.
    She’s back in minutes, and leaves the drink on a stone table next to the pool. I get out and take a sip. It’s delicious, and the alcohol calms my nerves completely. If it weren't for the circumstances that brought me here, I’d swear I was on the vacation of a lifetime.
    What is going on here?

The Prince
    Watching her swim and drink a margarita pleases me. I can’t wait to tell her that this could be her life. No, I’m not a pervert, and I wasn’t watching her when she was in her room. The security cameras inside the master suite are shut off for right now. If I do get to see her undressed, I want it to be because she chose me.
    I was thinking of laying out my proposal at dinner tonight, but I need to see Lorelei now. One of my best men was on business in the United States, and I sent him to deal with the men holding Lorelei’s grandmother hostage. They ran like scalded dogs, and I don’t think she’ll be having problems with Vigo Ladmere again.
    He’ll never contact her again if he values his life.
    The royal family doesn’t make a habit of assassinating small time criminals like him, but I can always make an exception. Especially since, he went so far outside of his expertise trying to steal my jewels. I don’t want to make an example of him, but I will. Actually, I do want to make an example out of him, and I hope he gives me a reason.
    Lorelei is out of the pool sipping her drink, and she looks contented. I think I’m going to make my introduction now. My phone rings, and I see that it’s my brother.
    A deal we’ve been working on for months is about to fall through. Jamal says that some asshole Italian businessman is threatening to make things very uncomfortable for us. My other brothers are still much more comfortable dealing with things the old ways, so I know I need to get to our offices and defuse the situation.
    Lorelei will have to wait. I brief her guards on the situation and tell them I’ll be back in time for dinner.
    “You give her anything she wants. And, make sure she doesn’t get scared again. I don’t want to see her crying a second