LITMIR.BIZ

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was sabotaged, that would mean it’s someone on the inside.”

      All three men shifted uneasily. Chase folded his arms. “Any thoughts?”

      The more these men talked, the less they sounded like public relations workers. She could easily picture any of them in Silvershire’s secret service.

      None of the others had any answers. But they all agreed Sydney was still in grave danger.

      “Right now,” Chase said, his gaze intense, “whoever they are, they’re probably searching frantically for you.”

      “Not to mention the press. They’ve been going wild since the princess disappeared. No one knows about the crash. We’ve managed to keep a lid on that.” William’s wry smile and quick shake of his head told her he had his doubts as to the truth of that statement.

      “The press?” Sydney fought the urge to rub her aching lower back. The sooner she could talk to that doctor, the better. “Why would the press care what I do? Since they publicized Reginald’s and my breakup, they’ve left me alone.”

      “You’re in the news again.” William swallowed, looking from her to Chase. “Reporters are scouring the streets trying to hunt you down. In the meantime, they’ve dug up every detail about you they could find.”

      “Why?” Chase’s voice was cold. “Because she was Reginald’s last lover before he died? I wouldn’t think that’s newsworthy now.”

      “That’s only part of it. Someone leaked information to them about the pregnancy. We know it wasn’t you—” he jabbed a finger in Sydney’s direction “—since you were on Chawder Island when the story broke.”

      They all looked at Sydney.

      She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I didn’t do it. I avoid the press like the plague.”

      “Then who?” Chase barked, glaring at his employees. “If there’s a leak at the palace, I want it found, now!”

      “Understood, sir. We’re looking into it.”

      “Who’s in charge of damage control?”

      William shrugged. “I’m not sure. Melody has been running the department in your absence.”

      “Damage control?” Sydney crossed her arms and resisted the urge to tap her feet. “Why would you even need such a thing? So I’m pregnant, and Reginald and I weren’t married. Things like that happen occasionally, even in Silvershire. What’s the big deal?”

      “For one, you are Prince Kerwin’s daughter.” Chase bit out the words.

      William cleared his throat, looking nervous. “There’s more, and it’s worse. The press is reporting you and Reginald were wed and that the child you carry is heir to the throne. They’re citing a reliable source.”

      “What?” Both Chase and Sydney erupted at the same time. “It’s only been four days since Reginald died.”

      “The papers claim you and Reginald married in a secret ceremony last month. One of them even says they have explicit photos.”

      Chase narrowed his gaze. “Is that so?”

      Sydney gave in and rubbed her throbbing temples, then moved her hands to her lower back. “Well, they’re lying. Reginald and I were never married. The only truth in all that is that I am pregnant. And—” she leaned forward, looking from one man to the other “—I really don’t care what the reporters say. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m pregnant, I want to rest. I just want to see a doctor and then go home.”

      Chase shook his head. “It’s not safe.”

      “I don’t think these people, whoever they are, will follow me back to Naessa.”

      “They will.”

      “Fine.” She gave up and let herself sink back into the plush leather seat. “We’ll talk about this later, after my examination.”

      When Chase didn’t reply, she turned her attention to the scenery. Lined by granite boulders and an occasional cliff, the winding road curved through massive oaks and towering pines. Finally, Lake Lodan came into view, sunlight glinting off the water.

      “It’s beautiful,” she said.

      “The royal family’s lodge is on the western side of the lake.” Chase watched her intently, as though he expected her to bolt as soon as the car stopped. Not a bad idea, but hardly likely. He must have forgotten she’d seen how fast he could run.

      One more sweeping curve brought them close to the lake. The wind stirred the sparkling water into choppy waves, sending them crashing against the stone cliffs. Sydney sighed, thinking of Chawder Island. Though their stay there had been brief, she’d felt as though they’d existed in another world, a cocoon filled only with her and Chase. Surreal. No wonder she felt different.

      “Are we climbing?”

      Chase answered with a short nod.

      William looked up from his laptop. “We’re nearly there.”

      The road became steeper. More cliffs, rocky and studded with trees, rose on one side. On the other, the lake spread out like a glistening blue jewel.

      “Christ!” The driver swore. Directly ahead of them, a car swung wide around a sharp curve. Moving fast, the other driver headed directly toward them on the wrong side of the road.

      “Hold on.” The limo driver wrenched the wheel. The large vehicle, not made for precise turns, swung and began to skid toward the rocky cliffs. If they went over, they’d be killed.

      At the last instant the other car switched lanes, again coming directly at them.

      “He’s trying to hit us!” William screamed, one second before the other vehicle slammed into them.

      The impact spun the limo the other way. Luckily for them their rear fender barely touched the guardrail, not enough to slow their reverse sideways motion.

      The other car, having hit them in the rear quarter panel, ricocheted the opposite way. It took out the guardrail, hanging on the edge for one awful moment before vanishing over the side of the cliff.

      After careening left, then right, and hitting a huge boulder, the limo came to a stop. They all looked at each other. Chase held Sydney in place, while the other men shot out of the car, guns drawn.

      “All clear,” William said.

      “Come on.” Chase got out first, extending his hand to Sydney. Shakily, she climbed from the backseat.

      “That was no random accident,” Chase shook his head, his expression grim. “I’m thinking that was another attempt to take you out of the picture.”

      “No way,” she scoffed. “It had to be an accident, a drunk driver or something. First off, how would they even know where we are? Second, I still don’t know why anyone would want to kill me.”

      “You’re carrying the prince’s only child.” He caught her arm. “That might be reason enough for some people.”

      William and the other two men peered over the rail. The limo driver was on his cell phone, no doubt calling in the accident.

      “I want to see.” Sydney shook off his hand and went to the edge of the cliff. The other car had come to rest at the bottom of the rock wall, a crumpled heap of twisted metal. “I hope you called for an ambulance,” she told William.

      “I called the police. They’ll dispatch medical assistance.”

      “If they survived.” Again, Chase spoke almost in her ear. Still dazed, Sydney fought the urge to turn her face into his chest for comfort.

      Looking shaken, their driver walked over. His short, black hair was mussed, as if he’d run his fingers through it in agitation. His face drained of color, he shook his head. “They

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