The Millionaire's Royal Rescue

“From what I’ve read, you learned to do quite a bit as far as computers are concerned.”

“Coding is like a puzzle for me. I just have to find the right connections to make the programs do what I want.” He glanced at her. “It’s similar to the way you have snippets of a memory of your mother. You need to find the missing parts for the snippets to fit together and give you a whole picture.”

Annabelle shrugged and glanced away. “I’m sure the memory isn’t important.”

“Perhaps. Or maybe it is and that’s why you’ve started to remember it.”

“It’s not worth dwelling on.” Who was she kidding? This was probably all she’d think of tonight when she was supposed to be sleeping. Was there some hidden significance to the memory?

Just then she recalled her mother raising her voice. Her mother never shouted. Born a princess, her mother prided herself in always using her manners.

“You remembered something else.”

Annabelle’s gaze met his. “How do you do that?”

“What?”

“Read my mind.”

“Because it’s written all over your face. And just now, you went suddenly pale. I take it whatever you recalled wasn’t good.”

“I’m not sure.”

“Maybe it would help if you remembered a little more. Perhaps it’s not as bad as you’re thinking.”

“Or maybe it’s worse.” She pressed her lips together. She hadn’t meant to utter those words, but the little voice in her head was warning her to tread lightly.

“Close your eyes,” Grayson said in a gentle tone.

“What?”

“Trust me.”

“How can I trust you when I hardly even know you?”

“You have a point. But think of it this way, we’re out here in the open and your bodyguard is not more than twenty feet away. If that isn’t enough security, there are people passing by and people in the nearby shops. All you have to do is call out and they’ll come running.”

“Okay. I get the point.”

“So do it.”

She crossed her arms and then closed her eyes, not sure what good this was going to do.

“Relax. This won’t work otherwise.”

She opened her eyes. “You sound like you know what you’re doing. Are you some kind of therapist or something?”

“No. But I’ve been through this process before.”

“You mean to retrieve fragmented memories?”

“Something like that. Now close your eyes again.” When she complied, he said, “Recall that memory o

f your mother. Do you have it?”

Annabelle nodded. All that she could see was the frown marring her mother’s flawless complexion and the worry reflected in her eyes.

“Now, was it sunny out?”