Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 36
“Who the hell is Gabe?” Ralph asked.
Neither of us responded to Ralph. He wasn’t any help. All Ralph contributed, was paying for Carlton’s team. I could easily throw that type of money Carlton’s way too. Besides that, I didn’t see Ralph engaging himself personally in any of it. He wanted to protect Shannon, but not risk himself. If she had been my daughter, I never would’ve let it get this far. I’d have sat her down, told her the hard facts and then took action against Prince Babboo. I’m not a father, and most likely never will be, but I know I’d have done better. The less Ralph knew about what Gabe and I were doing, the better. I wouldn’t put it past Ralph to blackmail me with it later.
“You mean you have no idea where he’s going?” I asked.
Carlton shook his head. “Gabe is trying to locate his jet, but as of yet, it’s MIA along with our prince.”
Ralph asked, “Do you think Babboo is on his way here?”
Carlton shrugged. “It was a sudden departure, but that’s all we know.” He gave me a significant look, as though there was more to say.
I turned to Ralph and said, “May I suggest you work from home today? That way you can let us know if Shannon is going out anywhere.”
“Where would she go? She’s too upset to leave,” Ralph replied.
“Jace is right,” Carlton said. “We need someone on the inside to keep an eye on her. If you don’t want to do it, maybe Jace can stay at your place with her.”
Ralph huffed. “That would be like asking her to run from the house. I’ll cancel my meetings and do what you suggest. But I expect you to keep me abreast of any and all updates you receive. I’m not pleased with you keeping me in the dark. Don’t forget who signs your paycheck,” he said with a snarl.
I could see Carlton’s jaw tense, but he said nothing. It wasn’t because of any fucking check, either. Carlton, like me, just wanted Ralph out of here so we could talk. As soon as Ralph was out of earshot, I asked, “Has the planted data been…located yet?”
“That is also being confirmed as we speak,” Carlton stated. “Until we know, I suggest someone stay with Shannon at all times. Since the two of you are not speaking, that leaves Ralph. Unless you want me to see if one of my men can accidentally bump into her and ask her to dinner?”
No fucking way. The thought of another man with her, even just pretending to flirt, enraged me. Taking a closer look at Carlton, I caught the look in his eye. He was intentionally pushing my buttons. Not a fucking smart thing to do. But I had no problem doing the same. “Are you saying you and your men can’t handle watching her?” I asked.
Carlton’s nostrils flared with anger. “I’m saying that things are uncertain at the moment and it would be wise to keep a closer eye on her. My team will be watching as we have been. But Shannon is also unpredictable now, thanks to you. So, no, I don’t mind someone on the inside.”
It obviously couldn’t be me. But Shannon would go crazy with Ralph around all the time, too. That left only one person: Betsy.
“She has a friend I should be able to convince to go and spend time with her.”
“Without telling her about what is going on?” Carlton asked.
I nodded. “Yes. I’ll tell her I fucked up and hurt Shannon. Like a good friend, she’ll rush over there and lend a shoulder for her to cry on.”
“You know you’re putting the nail in your own coffin,” he said.
“This isn’t about me. It’s about Shannon,” I grunted.
“From what I saw while you two were in the mountains, I think if you came clean now, before things got any worse, you guys might have a chance.”
I chuckled. “If she was your sister, would you want her with me?” Carlton shook his head. “Me neither. So right now, let’s stay focused on making sure she doesn’t end up with that asshole Babboo.”
Carlton pulled out his phone and called Gabe, putting him on speakerphone. “Any update?”
Gabe responded, “We obtained an image from the satellite. Prince Babboo boarded the jet, but he was being escorted by the King’s private guards. My guess is he didn’t leave the country. We have not yet been able to determine where the prince was being taken. My sources on the inside do not believe it was the palace.”
“We need to find him so we know he’s no longer a threat,” I snapped.
Gabe replied, “There are a few scenarios that could play out. The King could announce what his son has done and strip him of his title, but that would also require a legal process, which the King may not want to involve in his…personal matters. The Prince could also renounce his rights to the throne voluntarily. Or Babboo might suddenly suffer a tragic accident.”
I knew which my preference was. As long as Babboo was free, Shannon wouldn’t be. “How long before we know which course of action the King will take?”
Gabe said, “That’s tricky to calculate. This is his son we’re talking about. If it was anyone else, I’d say we’d know within twenty-four hours.”
“What about the men Prince Babboo used to track Shannon? Will their actions cease?” I asked.
I could tell even Carlton wasn’t positive on that answer. “Each member of the royal family has their own personal security force. Not enough to overthrow a government or cause a war, but definitely enough to be concerned about.”
“That’s not an answer,” I snarled.
Gabe said, “If Babboo was given the opportunity to speak to his personal guards before he was detained, he might make one last move.”
“You mean, to snatch Shannon?” I