Alexander & Rebecca (Royals of Valleria #1)

Chapter 10

Rebecca was just finishing up a meeting when Tavin came by her office, his hired security agents in tow.

"Any inquiries from the press release?" he asked.

Rebecca shook her head. "It was pretty standard. She's had to cancel events before, so it didn't really raise any red flags."

"You may get some anyway. They're evacuating the school she was supposed to visit."

Rebecca's eyes widened. "Why?"

"The press release states it's a gas leak."

Rebecca's mouth formed a thin line. It had to do with the threat, she was sure of it. She glanced at his security. "Does your security know what's going on?"

He nodded. "They've been briefed on the basics; their security clearance doesn't permit any details."

Rebecca nodded. Her own security agent was standing just outside her door.

"I'm on my way to a lunch meeting, but wanted to drop by on my way. If anyone calls, just keep it consistent."

Rebecca bristled. "I know how to do my job, Tavin. You don't need to worry about me." Tavin nodded.

"Sir?" one of Tavin's security men said. "We must leave soon."

"Coming, Leffie. You staying in for lunch, Rebecca?" he asked as he stopped in the doorway, his security team waiting at the ready close by.

Rebecca had decided to go shopping for lingerie on her lunch break, but wasn't mentioning that to him. "I'm just going to head home, actually. I'll be back soon enough, though."

"Talk to you later, then."

"Bye, Tavin."

She glanced at the clock, and decided she had just enough time before her next meeting. It was past noon already, so she'd have to hurry. She'd also have to move past the embarrassment of having her male security agent know she was buying lingerie, but she'd get through it.

She grabbed her bag, let Catharine know she was going out for lunch, and headed on her way.

* * *

The crowd had reassembled in the Situation Room just before one o'clock.

Marcello, deciding not to be on site to avoid drawing more attention to the situation, was instead supervising the bomb squad remotely as they searched. Once the school had been evacuated and the press had left the scene, the task had become much easier. Bomb control units had entered through the back of the school, away from the press but, now that the press had gone, they roamed freely over the secured grounds.

Anticipation grew in the room as the clock crawled towards the deadline. Several large screens showed different views of the school and the squad, who each wore cameras on their uniforms. Marcello wore an earpiece and intently scanned each live image for something that may have been missed. He whispered directions to various members of his team as they searched.

When the clock struck one, they all held their breaths.

Then gasped as the explosion rang out.

Only the explosion didn't happen at the school.

Another section of Valentia, their capital city, had been hit. The bomb squad heard the sound and watched as a black cloud of smoke rose from a corner of the city.

Marcello began shouting instructions to his men and lieutenants while bringing up real-time cameras scattered around the city. Within seconds he'd narrowed down the base of the explosion to a section across the Rhone River.