Page 80 of Duty and Desire

That was the part that had me stumped.

“I don’t know. It will all depend on what I find when I get there.” If I met with resistance, then I couldn’t see myself flying back to Bora-Bora.

Writing would be the last thing on my mind.

Flying back to San Francisco, crawling into a hole and licking my wounds would be nearer the mark.

“Have you told Mister Roger about your trip?”

“Notyet.” That was next on my To Do list. Because if I did end up going home, Roger could at least advertise the place.

I rolled my stiff neck. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Aulani joined me at the table on the veranda. “Going after Nick, you mean?”

“Yes. He hasn’t been in touch.” Not that I knew how I’d react if he did. I wasn’t certain the first words out of my mouth wouldn’t beHow could you keep this from me?

I’d bared my soul to him. I’d told him the truth. Didn’t I deserve the same in return?

The next words to leave my lips would beWas any of it real?

Part of me believed it was, the part that recalled our nights together, the whispers, the moans, the sighs…

That had felt more real than anything I’d ever experienced.

“Listen, you need to be careful. Kai called me this morning. He told me there was a journalist sniffing around the bar last night, asking questions, and that I was to pass this on to you. Kai said his name was Hans Hasler. He also said he’s sharp as a tack.”

I stiffened. “He was asking questions about Nick?”

She nodded. “Kai said he pretended not to know what this Hasler person was talking about, but then he pulled up the photo Kai had posted.”

“What did Kai do?”

Her eyes twinkled. “Played dumb. He’s good at that.”

“Thanks for the warning.” So what if Nick had broken my heart? I wasn’t about to give this guy any dirt on him.

“When do you leave?”

“I’m on a flight to Tahiti tomorrow. Then it’s Los Angeles, Paris, and then Switzerland. And then a train to Korenz, the capital city.” I grimaced. “Twenty-eight hours, and that’s not counting layovers. I’m gonna be wrecked by the time my train pulls into the station.” I glanced at my laptop. “And in the meantime I’m going to do a little research.”

She frowned. “Into what?”

“Eisenland. Its Royal Family, its history, exports, politics…” I set my jaw.

My plan was simple. I wanted to be a goddamn expert when I walked into that palace.

That was assuming they’d let me past the front door. Gate. Drawbridge.

Whatever.

In my head I was picturing guys in suits of armor, brandishing huge swords or spears. Not to mention the deep, dark dungeon where they’d leave me to rot.

My imagination had gone fromDon’t bother me, I’m sleepingtoLet’s see what else I can conjure up.

Kai smiled when I walked into the bar. “Hey.” He clasped my hand in his. “How are you doing? Still holding up?”

“I’m better than I was.” The impending trip was the reason. I had something to focus on, and that was way better than throwing myself a pity party.

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