Page 79 of Reign of the Queen
“Miss, do you have a name of who you’re worried may try to take your guest?” I hear murmurs in the background on his end, people being dispatched to save the waiting Stratford princess.
“Mack Pemberton and most likely Vincent Saint-Lambert,” I announce with dread.
It’s silent on the other end of the phone for a good thirty seconds. I actually look down at the phone screen to see if we are still connected.
“I see. I will send in an additional team, they should arrive at about the time your grandmother and I do. For the time being, please keep all the doors locked and your guests away from them.” With that, he disconnects the line.
What is it with people that work for the Stratford’s and not saying goodbye?Bad habits no doubt picked up from the reigning queen of terror, my grandmother. That whole conversation was very telling. Clark knows what kind of a threat Vincent Saint-Lambert is. I’m guessing he’s the real danger here, not Pemberton.
Regardless, there’s no turning back now, especially if Stella Stratford is on her way.FuckI almost feel sorry for the guys. When she gets here, she will rip into them just as much as she will me. Vincent Saint-Lambert and Mack Pemberton better watch the fuck out, they just woke the beast, and she takes no prisoners where her family is concerned.
Tom and the three other security guys Clark sent show up quickly at the house. Once they buzz into the main gate, I let them in, and they fan out immediately, doing a perimeter check of the property. Tom makes his way up to the house, and I realize I'm almost happy to see him. I miss New York; Casbury hasn't really felt like home.
"Tom, it's nice to see you again." I nod in his direction. Tom was my assigned security detail back in New York. He was with me daily back and forth from school and social engagements for three years before I came to Casbury. He's an ex-marine who saw combat time before leaving the Navy and working for my grandmother. He's a giant of a man, with dark umber skin, close-cropped hair, dark eyes, and a no-nonsense disposition. I have never been able to sweet-talk Tom into letting me get away with anything, much to my rebellious teenage heart's dismay.
"Miss Stratford, it's nice to see you again as well. Can you please show me your guest who is unwell? I would like to assess his condition and see if we need more medical care than we expect." He moves gracefully through the door in full tactical gear.
Pretty sure the kings are about to shit themselves when they meet Tom or look out the windows and see a security team in full tactical gear with rifles strapped to their backs. Clark is not fucking around when he said no one would be entering the property and that they would shoot anyone that’s not supposed to be here.
"This way Tom, he's in the guest room, as are the rest of my guests." I motion for him to follow me, and we close in on the guest suite together.
The first person we see is Finn, standing just outside the door. His eyes widen dramatically when he sees Tom, then he looks back inside the room, calling to Theo. Theo steps outside and bars the way into the room Carter's in with his large frame at the entranceway, radiating malice.
"Mia, what the fuck is going on?" he questions, anger and fear in his voice.
"Theo, this is Tom. He's the head of my grandmother's security detail assigned to protect me here in Casbury. Isn't that right, Tom?" I question with a smirk.
Tom grins back at me, then raises his hand toward Theo in an offer of a handshake. "I'm Tom Spadina, head of security for Miss Stratford here in Casbury. I would like to take a look at your friend and see about his medical needs. I have some medical training." He nods to Finn and then Mateo as he stands up and comes to the doorway.
The kings step aside, allowing Tom to enter the room but warily. He moves quickly and efficiently toward Carter and starts doing checks on his pulse and breathing.
"When did he last seize?" Tom asks, turning toward us after reviewing Carter's pupils.
"Less than an hour ago, then he passed out." Mateo moves in Carter’s direction in agitation. "Is he okay?"
"We need to keep him stable and, more importantly, hydrated. Do you boys know what he took?" Tom answers Mateo with his back still turned, continuing to do checks on Carter.
"Cocaine," Theo replies angrily.
Tom looks over his shoulder at him, his face neutral. There's no judgment to be found on it. "Okay, I'm going to set up a drip in his arm to hydrate him and help his body flush out the drugs. Miss Stratford, is there a washroom through there that I can get set up in?"
"Ah yeah, right through that door, Tom." I point at the closed door across the room. Each suite in this massive house has its own bathroom.
Tom nods and heads back to the front entryway to pick up all the bags he brought with him.
The minute he's out the door Mateo turns to stare at me. "Is he wearing fucking tactical gear and a rifle Mia?" Shock spreads across his face.
"Yup." I link my hands together in front of my stomach, trying to keep my face from cracking a smile.
"Do all your security detail come like that?" Finn questions, concern written on his face. He looks from me to Theo and back, having a silent conversation with just their expressions.
"Pretty much, my grandmother does not fuck around when her princesses are threatened," I say with a neutral face that is getting harder to maintain, looking at their shocked faces. Let them worry that they could have been shot with the shit they were pulling on me.
"Holy fuck, I so don't ever want to cross your grandmother." Finn sighs and then moves aside for Tom, who's come back into the room with some medical gear.
"What happens now, Mia?" Theo questions moving closer to me. His hands reach out like he wants to touch me but drop at the last moment.
"Eh, about that." I can't keep a straight face at their comical, wary looks that keep returning to the rifle still strapped across Tom’s back. I finally let myself laugh. "Mmm, see, here's the thing. My grandmother didn't only send Tom and his team. Uh, she will be arriving with Clark, her head of security, in about two hours. Another team will more than likely follow."
