The Doctor Prince and the Outsider by Cami Checketts

CHAPTEREIGHT

Steffan left a tip for the maid, and he and Hattie left the hotel quickly. They drove toward Augustine as he called Jensen, explained the situation, and discussed scenarios and ideas. Hattie gave a description of Franz Wengreen, and Jensen found some online pictures for his men. At least he’d given her his real name.

Jensen would have his men infiltrate the gondola overlook and restaurant in plain clothes and be ready to arrest Franz as soon as they found him. It should all be over soon. Then Hattie could go on her merry way, keep her promise to never return to Augustine, and stay safe from Treven’s family. Steffan could go back to work, which was his life focus, and he would be … strangely empty without this intriguing and feisty lady.

They parked in the gondola parking lot at eight-forty. The gondola took about ten minutes, and there was a short line of summer tourists.

He looked at Hattie, wearing his hat and sunglasses. She was breathtakingly beautiful, even with the disguise and, at the moment, vulnerable. He doubted she was vulnerable often.

Pulling out some cash, he pressed it into her hand. “Use that for the ticket. I’m going to jump the line and get on the gondola in front of you. Jensen, his men, and I will all be watching out for you.”

“Thank you, Steffan.” She clutched at the money, her dark eyes warm and possibly emotional. He might’ve been reading into that, though.

He didn’t have time to reassure her or look into her eyes. He put his cap and glasses on, pocketed his keys, and slid out of his car. Hurrying toward the ticket office, he wanted to look around and see if Franz was here. Instead, he walked around to the back of the ticket office, rapped on the manager’s door, and waited impatiently for it to open.

The manager opened the door and looked up at him. “Can I help you … sir?” she asked, staring at him as if trying to place him. He didn’t recognize her. He’d hoped the manager would be someone from Greenville who he’d known growing up.

He took his glasses and low-slung cap off, and she gasped and put a hand to her chest. “Prince Steffan.”

He nodded. His family interacted with locals often, but she must’ve not expected him in this context. “I’ve got a situation,” he explained quietly. “And I need to get onto the next gondola and up the mountain quick.”

“Of course. Anything for one of our princes.” She grinned, obviously happy to serve him.

“Thank you.” He hurried to pull his hat down low and slide his glasses on again.

Walking past him, she led the way to the gondola line. He could see Hattie’s hat and dark hair at the ticket window, next to purchase her ticket. The manager held her badge up to the first person in the gondola line and said, “Excuse us.”

The thirty-something dad looked annoyed, but he stepped back and didn’t question them. Thankfully, one of the gondolas reached the landing and only a couple people disembarked. Not many would be ready to come down so early in the morning. He was surprised at the crowd going up, but since they’d closed all tours to the castle after his mum’s death, this was one of the best ways to view it. The picturesque scenery of the valley and mountains were outstanding as well.

The manager and Steffan stepped into the gondola. He thanked her, but she simply nodded and stayed by his side as the gondola slowly filled. Even with the special treatment, nobody seemed to see through his simple disguise.

He leaned down and whispered, “I need to be incognito. Having the manager with me might get me more attention than I want.”

“Oh.” Her voice was thick with disappointment. “All right.”

“Thank you.” He slipped her forty euros.

She startled and pressed it back into his hand. “Oh, please no. Your family is so generous with me already.”

She stepped out before the doors closed and he was left holding the money. He knew his country had been very blessed financially and the fact that he could offer not only free but consistently great healthcare was something he prided himself on. He felt a surge of gratitude for his family and his country and silently prayed in gratitude for everything he’d been blessed with, and asked that he could help Hattie.

If only he knew what he was supposed to help Hattie with. Getting her clothes and passport and money back seemed important, but the beautiful billionaire had clearly been damaged deeply by Treven Rindlesbacher killing her friend and trying to frame Hattie for murder and then losing her own parents. He wished he could heal her spiritually and emotionally as well.

The operator pushed some buttons, and the glass-walled box gently swooped up the mountain. He could see Hattie in the line forming for the next lift. She’d be to the top before nine. It would all work out well, and then she’d be on her way. Dang.

He stared out the glass at the photo-worthy view of his valley that he’d seen thousands of times—lush greenery, mountains so tall framing the valley that they changed from emerald to blue to barren and gray at the top, clear blue mountain lakes, the village, the church, his family’s ornate and massive castle.

His heart was beating too fast. Was something about to go wrong, or was he simply not ready to say goodbye to Hattie? Her ordeal should be over soon, and she’d be on her way. Were some of Jensen’s men in this gondola with him?

They stopped at the top platform with a lurch. Steffan exited and walked through the main level of the visitor’s center with a nice restaurant, information about Augustine’s history and his own family and their predecessors, and three-hundred-sixty degree views of the beautiful valley.

Steffan headed outside, making a slow loop of the patios, but he didn’t see anything or anyone out of place. He wandered around to the dirt paths that led to different overlooks. Was he doing good at being incognito, or was he somehow drawing attention to himself that he didn’t even recognize? Jensen’s men must be very good, because he couldn’t tell if the annoyed dad who’d been first in line until Steffan had arrived, or one of the backpacking college students, or the businessman in a suit were undercover or not. The fit woman with the German Shepherd on a leash had to be undercover. Jensen had insisted they would use a dog trained with the ability to sniff the chemicals in explosives. Steffan highly doubted Franz would bring Hattie up here to blow her up, but he appreciated Jensen’s diligence. He didn’t see anyone who resembled Franz’s description.

Hattie should be at the top of the lift by now. They had no idea where Franz was or how he planned to contact Hattie. He couldn’t imagine what the guy hoped to accomplish. Apologize for being a jerk? Did he think Hattie wouldn’t press charges if he gave everything back?

Steffan saw Jensen but didn’t make eye contact. Instead, he headed to his favorite overlook, a grassy spot that paragliders regularly launched from. He wouldn’t show it to Hattie. He smiled to himself, thinking of her reaction to paragliding.

Jensen ambled directly toward him, and Steffan stopped to take in the view. His friend paused next to him, staring out at the drop-off and the beautiful valley below.

“There’s an envelope with Hattie’s name on it attached to the railing twenty feet to the north,” he said. “Attached by Scotch tape. It doesn’t appear to be any kind of threat. I’ll let Hattie know how to retrieve it and have her meet me in the family bathroom. I want to lift prints before she opens it. We’ll proceed from there.” He sauntered off.

Steffan wanted to grab the note, protect Hattie from whatever Franz was trying to do. Hattie needed to be the one who retrieved it, if Franz was somehow watching, and Jensen didn’t need Steffan’s prints on the envelope. He kept walking but shifted to a different trail where he would have a view of the overlook and could follow Hattie discreetly after she picked up the note.

Hattie walked out of the visitor’s center, hat and glasses allowing her to blend in. She must’ve talked to Jensen, as she angled directly to the overlook, her gaze searching around for Franz or the note.

As soon as she saw the note, she delicately pinched it between two fingers like it was a spider, turned, and walked back toward the visitor’s center and restaurant.

The bathrooms were downstairs. Steffan strode around the outside and used the wrought-iron staircase that led to a lower patio and a couple different overlooks some visitors never noticed. He hurried through the exterior door and saw Hattie coming down the stairs. Not looking at her, he walked toward the bathrooms, glancing around. No one in the open area. He walked into the men’s bathroom entrance as Hattie opened the door to the family bathroom located between the two larger bathrooms and eased inside.

There was an older gentleman and two teenage boys in the men’s bathroom. Steffan used the toilet, washed his hands, and then walked out. It was killing him that she was out of his sight, and he was dying to know what was on the note.

Pulling out his phone, he saw a recent text from Jensen.

Family bathroom, was all it said.

Glancing around, he walked to the family bathroom, pushed on the door handle, and slipped inside.

Jensen and Hattie were inside. Jensen held the note with plastic gloves.

“He’s sending her on some wild goose chase,” Jensen said, clearly annoyed. His tone lightened when he asked, “Is it worth having your Prada and Louis Vuittons back?”

“You have no idea how hard all that shopping was on me,” Hattie flung back at him. “It’s worth him being caught and not bugging me forever.”

“What does the note say?” Steffan asked. He unconsciously reached for his stethoscope before he remembered it wasn’t around his neck. He folded his arms across his chest instead.

“He wants her to meet him at Josephine’s Lake at four a.m. There’s even a map on the back for her.” He flipped the note around, arching a brow. “How does this guy know the Augustine mountains?”

None of them had an answer.

Hattie finally shrugged. “I met him in London, but he said he was from Poland.”

“He’s from Warsaw,” Jensen confirmed. He looked at Steffan. “Of course she’s supposed to come alone.”

No way would either of them let Hattie go alone. Josephine’s Lake wasn’t far from his brother Curt’s cabin. Interesting that this guy not only knew their mountains but also that he thought he could isolate her in a remote area. Franz had to be planning something nefarious. Maybe he planned to force her to give him more money. He probably thought he’d stripped her of her power and pride by stealing everything from her. He must have no clue she had support from Augustine’s police force and royalty. That was in their favor.

“So here’s what I’m thinking,” Jensen said. “He thinks he can isolate her, send her running around before she can get her feet under her. He has no clue that she has support.”

Steffan smiled.

“What?”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“We have to be careful that he keeps thinking that. I’ll have some of my most trusted men carefully infiltrate the area tonight, stake it out, and be waiting for us when we get there a little before four in the morning. You two hike to Curt and Aliya’s from here. It’s a good safe spot to hang out today. Try to get some rest. I’ll send Curt a message on his satellite phone where to meet up early in the morning and have infrared goggles for you.” He nodded to Steffan. “And a headlight and some recording devices for you.” He nodded to Hattie. “Any questions?”

Hattie looked to Steffan. She appeared determined, still a touch vulnerable, and achingly beautiful. He was relieved he had more time with her.

“Do you feel all right about everything?” Steffan asked.

“Just ready to get that idiot arrested. I can’t believe he thinks he can manipulate and isolate me.”

“Definitely an idiot if he doesn’t know how strong and independent you are.”

“Not independent enough. You keep paying for things.”

Jensen looked between them. Steffan didn’t know how to respond. She had no money; of course he’d paid for a few tips and given her cash for the tram ride. Were they going to have a discussion about him paying for things like last night at the hotel? He’d been trained to be a gentleman, and that to him meant picking up the check whenever possible, amongst other things.

“You like the plan?” she asked, as if anxious to change the subject.

“I think it’ll work out great,” Steffan said. “Thank you, Jensen.”

“Of course. I’ll take off first. I want to run prints on this and make sure this Franz is who we think he is, not some assumed identity. You two separate and meet up the trail a bit. After you’re away from the visitor’s center, I think you’ll be fine to stay together, but I’d keep the hats and sunglasses on. I’ll see you bright and early.” He frowned. “Maybe dark and early is more appropriate.”

“Thank you,” Hattie said.

Jensen lifted his chin to them and slipped out the door. Steffan wasn’t some military or police guy. Should he have Hattie go first or him? He didn’t want her alone and vulnerable on the trail, but he also didn’t want to leave her behind. He made a quick decision and prayed it was the right one.

“Go directly out the back door where you saw me come in,” he said. “Take the stairs and the wide path to your right and then take the first dirt trail you see. It heads southeast. When you hit the thick overgrowth and tree cover, slow down. I’ll catch up to you.” He should easily catch her, and she should be fine until he got to her, but the what-ifs bugged him. What if Franz was around and intercepted her? What if they somehow missed each other?

“All right. See you in a few,” she said.

“You are a very brave lady.” A genuine smile stole across her face, and he couldn’t resist adding, “And very beautiful.”

Her smile grew, and she shook her head. “If you think I’m beautiful in my ripped clothing with none of my own makeup, you are one sweet, gentleman prince who likes to pay for stuff—and tell lies.”

He eased closer to her. There were so many things he wanted to ask her, but there wasn’t time.

They were in a bathroom, which wasn’t really a romantic spot. Thankfully, it didn’t smell. Reaching up, he brushed a lock of her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe I have a thing for women in unusual circumstances with rips in their clothing.”

“Oh, I hope not.” She laughed and arched an eyebrow. “You’d be distracted all day at the E.R.”

“You’re right.” He grinned. “Thankfully, I don’t have a thing for women brought into my hospital. With the exception of one beautiful and captivating American.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth softened.

“Maybe …” His voice lowered. “I simply have a thing for you, Hattie Ballard.”

“Nobody would blame you for that,” she teased.

Steffan knew it was time. Past time. He wrapped her in his arms and prepared to show her that he was falling for her. Falling for an independent American billionaire who wasn’t safe in his country. It wasn’t smart or logical, and he prided himself on being both, but Hattie was more important than his pride or his good sense.

No matter how many warning bells should be clanging in his head, he found himself leaning closer to her, arrested by the tug of her dark, beguiling eyes.

The bathroom door swung inward, almost hitting Hattie from behind. They’d forgotten to lock it.

“Oh, excuse me,” a young mom holding an infant said.

“Excuse us,” Steffan said, pushing his sunglasses back on and escorting Hattie out. “All right,” he told her quietly. “I’ll catch up soon.”

She gave him a resolute nod and strode quickly to the exterior door. He had a hard time letting her out of his sight. Was it only worry about where Franz might be or what he might be planning? Or was it because Steffan simply wanted Hattie close for a very long time?