Page 2 of The Valiant (Spy Girl 4)
"Does he think I'm dead?"
"Of course not. I would never tell him that unless I knew for sure. I told him you were on a business trip."
"You knew I wasn't dead?"
"I didn't know until I heard the news about the former president's demise."
"I heard it was ruled an accident," The Priest says with a sardonic chuckle.
"I heard that, too. Henri, what were you thinking?" I ask, calling him by his real name. "You know I'm seeing Lorenzo and that I have your son."
"I was just trying to finish my contract quickly," he says, sighing heavily, "so I could get the money and go into hiding. But, now, as soon as they find out I have failed--"
"Message them," I order.
"Later. I want them to hear the news first. Trust me on this, please."
"You just tried to kill her!" Ari butts in.
"I am very sorry about that. If my son is safe here under a new identity, I'd like him to stay. Let him think I'm still traveling. Otherwise, he will never be safe again. I might have killed the man who double-crossed me, but there's more going on--more to do with your mother's death."
"You mean, when you killed her mother?" Ari bellows.
"Shh," the assassin says. "Yes. I know it sounds crazy, but we're going to have to work together."
"Are you kidding me?" Ari says, getting more worked up. "Is this who I think it is?"
"We don't have a lot of time for pleasantries," I say, "but I'd like you to meet Henri Durand, otherwise known as The Priest."
"He's supposed to be dead," Terrance argues. "You killed him!"
"Yeah, well, apparently, he got away," I counter. "And the fact that people think he's dead should be reason enough for you to want him on our side."
"You mean, so he won't try to kill us again?" Ari quips.
"Exactly. Plus, he's a damn fine shot. He can help us. Terrance, why don't you take him with you?"
"What am I supposed to do with him?" Terrance says.
"Just get him to a safe house or something. And get him up to speed on what's going on. He was involved back then; maybe he can shed some light on it now."
"Fine," Terrance snorts, "but I'm taking his gun away."
The Priest and I share a look.
"Ah, crap." Terrance throws his arms up in the air and walks toward the back gate. "Come on, Guy Who Could Kill Me With His Bare Hands; let's be roommates and BFFs." He looks at Ari. "You coming with?"
Ari nods toward me. "I'm sticking with her like the plague."
His comment pings around in my brain and then solidifies. "Henri, can you reach The Bartender?"
"Of course," he replies.
"Terrance, you're going to need a bigger safe house," I say with a laugh.
"I'm not following." Terrance looks confused.
"You know how Olivia was able to find out where the second hit was? The Bartender sets up the supposedly untraceable stuff for Henri. He's a hacker, too."
Henri nods in agreement. "And a very skilled one."
"Terrance, I think he and Olivia need to become well acquainted if you want to follow the money trail."
"But we already know who we are going after next. We don't need his help. Seriously, how can you trust him?" Terrance is not convinced.
"Because we have his son," I reply harshly, tired of this conversation. "And we need to get him out of here before the authorities arrive."
Terrance makes a big show of trying to make up his mind but finally acquiesces. "Fine, let's go."
Henri gives me a quick hug good-bye, whispering, "Trust no one."
After they leave, Ari and I go into the house through the garden entrance to avoid the scene outside the wall. "This is spinning out of our control," he says.
"Where were you and Terrance? Lorenzo said you had something to do this morning."
"We were just following up on some loose ends."
"And what did you find out?"
"The account used for the down payment on the hits was traced back to a Delaware-based shell corporation, but the account has been closed, so it's a dead end. I learned that Mr. Dupree is a well-known and well-respected man in London--well, the world really--who owns a large pharmaceutical conglomerate. He donates millions to charitable causes, but exactly how he earns all his money isn't really clear."
"I'm sure Intrepid could get you a file on him."
"Oh, he did. British intelligence believes that some of the prescription drugs his company manufactures go missing and end up on the street where the market value is high, but they haven't been able to prove it. With his connections, it's highly doubtful they ever will. It's also quite possible that the Moneyman lied to you."
"I didn't consider that." I sigh heavily, feeling defeated.
We don't stay in London for long. Juan is anxious to get Lorenzo back in his own country where he believes he has more control. I don't know if I agree with that assessment, but I am very ready to go regardless.
As we're boarding the plane, a wave of nausea hits me and I stumble up the steps feeling woozy.
Then everything goes black.
MISSION:DAY ONE
Upon arrival in the Montrovian capital, I am taken to the hospital's royal wing where it is determined that the nausea I was suffering from is due to a level-three concussion and not due to me being pregnant with Lorenzo's love child, as the tabloids would like to believe. I'm told I need to avoid physical exertion, video games, and other electronic devices in order to allow my brain time to heal. And that means staying here for a few days with no distractions.
Of course, Ari makes numerous jokes about my brain, but he rarely leaves my side. He brings in newspapers and tabloids and reads them to me to pass the time. The world believes the bombing of the Montrovian king's limousine was a terrorist act. The royal press secretary says nothing to challenge this assumption.
The country of Montrovia mourns together on the third day after the bombing as they lay to rest the four royal guards who died protecting their king. I had gotten to know the men and wanted to attend the funeral, but my doctor wouldn't discharge me--and I have a sneaking suspicion that was on the order of said king, not because I was physically unable.
I discharge myself on the fifth morning after we get word from Intrepid that Ana's body is being released from the authorities. After her brutal murder at the Moneyman's house, I am determined to give her a proper burial. Especially since they couldn't find her next of kin.
After the horrors she went through in life, I think it's important she knows that someone mourns her in death. Ari threatens me with all sorts of unpleasantries if I go back to London, but ultimately, he gives in and pays for a lovely service--even if he and I are the only ones in attendance. I cry during the ceremony, wondering if I will face a similar end, but when my brother reaches over and pats my hand in condolence, I know there will be at least one person at my funeral.
As we are leaving the cathedral, Intrepid phones with the news that all the other girls from the basement are being well taken care of--some reunited with their families, others given shelter and counseling through a foundation Ari set up while I was recovering. He also tells me that the DNA Terrance submitted proves that we are in fact the biological children of Ares Von Allister.
On the sixth day, I take off the sling that has been keeping my shoulder immobile and make Ari take me to a shooting range as well as spar with me to confirm that my skills are still intact. In my line of work, I can't afford any weakness.
Lorenzo has been treating me with kid gloves this entire time. I hoped, once we confessed our love, we might consummate it as well, but he seems content in just doting on me. I've declined all interviews, but Lorenzo holds a fireside chat to address his country, vowing to bring those responsible to justice--which is ironic, considering the guy who did it is currently residing in a Montrovian safe house with Terrance and Olivia.
On the seventh morning, I open my eyes to the wonderful sight of Lorenzo lying next to me. He's already awake a
nd reading from his tablet.
"You were very sexy during your fireside chat last night," I tell him as I slip my hand under the sheet, running it across his chest. "Your approval ratings must be very high."
"Approval ratings have nothing to do with my happiness. Only you do." He carefully slides his hand across my hair. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Hard not to feel amazing when you wake up in bed with a beautiful man, surrounded by flowers. You've been spoiling me."
Actually, both he and what seems to be the entire country have been doing so. Ellis is busy monitoring the constant deliveries, not to mention dealing with the security detail Lorenzo insisted on having guard the villa.
"Wait until you see what I have planned for you tonight. The royal executive chef is currently in the Montanelli Province of Pisa, scouring the countryside for what he calls the diamond of the kitchen--the white truffle--with a fourth-generation truffle hunter. He will fly the truffle home this afternoon and prepare us a decadent meal of a delicate homemade pasta. We will drink the finest of champagnes in the cellar to celebrate your recovery."
"Sounds like an amazing night. What are your plans for the day?"
"I have to head to the castle shortly, but first, I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"I am meeting with my mother this morning, and although I can't wait to tell the world of our courtship, I know the moment I share it with her, she will want to make it official with a press conference, which you will need to attend. I've been reveling in the privacy we've been afforded this past week. Is it selfish of me to want to keep our love under wraps for a bit longer?"
"Not in the least. Plus, it wouldn't be right to announce our good news the same week as the funerals for the men who died while protecting you." He gently pulls me into his arms. "Lorenzo, I'm fine. Did my brother not tell you about our sparring match yesterday?"
"Sparring? Lee, did the doctor approve of that?"
"Not exactly, but Ari was careful not to hit my head. Besides, it was important to know if the injuries had affected my abilities."
