Dirty Thief

Nodding, I take a bite of toast with jam. The rich, bittersweet tang of raspberry mixed with butter fills my mouth, momentarily halting my speech.

“So many of our counterparts have been making similar statements in the last several months,” I continue. “I was determined not to make one myself.”

“At the same time, we are actually pretty confident we know who is behind this. It’s quite a different situation.”

“We’ll talk to the police and tell them what we know.” I’m drinking my coffee again as I think about this course of action. “I’d still like to try and catch him in the act. Be sure he’s taken care of for good.”

“Being a father changes everything,” Cal says with a wink.

“I’m pretty sure I would feel this way if it were just Ava.”

“Being in love also changes everything.”

Chapter 20

Ava

Sitting on the edge of the beach in my bikini, I spread my hands over my flat stomach. Rising on my knees, I turn to the side. “See anything yet?”

Zelda is playing with Belle in the soft breakers, but she glances up long enough to roll her eyes. “See your aunt Ava, Bee? She’s turning into a crazy pregnant lady.”

“You’re not supposed to call pregnant ladies crazy,” I shout back. “I’m hormonal.”

She waves her hand at me. “Either way, you won’t be showing for at least three months. It’s your first pregnancy.”

Running my fingers through the sand, I circle them around a shell, thinking about our visit to the orphanage this morning. Clare hasn’t heard any more from Suad’s aunt, and I haven’t gotten a reply email from the German ambassador. Everyone is preoccupied with the two crimes committed so close in succession. It’s unprecedented, and nervous politicians are bending over backwards attempting to establish a terrorism link. I was asleep when Rowan came to bed last night, and he was gone so early this morning, I haven’t had a chance to ask him what he thinks is happening. I’m certain I already know. I have the email to prove it… which reminds me why we’re here.

I stand and take my cover-up off the towel. “I need more water. Can I bring you anything from the house?”

Zelda scans the area where our towels are situated and shakes her head. “I’m good. Belle probably needs a banana or apple slices if you have any handy.”

“I bet the chef can make something for her,” I say, starting for the boardwalk.

“Nothing too complicated,” my sister calls after me.

She’s used to being in Tortola, where she’s not waited on nonstop. I’ll be lucky if I’m able to slip away and do what I’m planning to do while my sister is preoccupied with the baby.

Inside the estate, I trot through the living room to the kitchen area where Nesbit sits at a table with a menu chart in front of her. Another woman stands behind the stainless-steel island, and they appear to be discussing something.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I say, and they both turn and do little bows. “My sister asked if we had snacks for the princess? She mentioned banana slices or even apple wedges?”

“I’ll prepare something for the princess,” the woman at the island says.

Nesbit smiles. “It’s so fun to have a baby in the house.” She gives me a lingering glance, and I exhale a little laugh.

“I’ll be right back then,” I say skipping out of the room.

We’ve still decided to keep the pregnancy a secret a little longer—just until my first ultrasound. Not that we have anything to worry about. I’ve had the full battery of tests and the “all clear” from Dr. Klein since shortly after my positive pregnancy test. Heck, I’ve had it since we said we were trying to get pregnant. It’s all so clinical, it would have totally killed the fun if I weren’t so in love with my husband. Just thinking about our time together heats my skin.

Passing through the living area again, I head to Rowan’s small study in the far corner. It’s where I go to Skype with Zelda when we’re here and I want to use something larger than my phone.

The room is dark when I enter with the only light being dim stripes from the vertical blinds. I flick on the lamp, and papers are spread across the oak desk. Behind the chair are bookcases with assorted legal volumes and the occasional fiction. A hardcover edition of Shakespeare’s history plays sits in the center of the shelf, and it’s all very masculine and boring. All except for one thing.

I sit in the leather chair and spin around to face the shelves practically hidden by the chunky desk. I move the fake spines of books aside to reveal a safe. My lips twist as I try to remember the combination. It’s been so long since we talked about it, and Rowan only told it to me once. I remember he said he kept some of his father’s artifacts in it. His father’s first letter to the queen mother, a racing award he’d won years ago, and an antique gun. Another thing I know is Rowan very rarely even looks at these items. He only knows they’re here.

Now I can’t remember the combination.

A scratchy voice from behind sends me jumping out of the chair. “Anything I can help you with, your highness?”