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Benedikt was annoyed and authoritative but she couldn’t believe he’d harm her. If she did, she’d never have stayed overnight. She’d have persuaded Colonel Ditmar to escort her out, or found another way to leave.
Or are you naive? You’re in a secluded grove with a man you barely know and no witnesses.
Old nightmares brushed hoary fingers across her nape. Nightmares of the father she’d never known in a car that tumbled into an inferno at the bottom of a mountain.
A shudder racked her from the base of her skull to her heels, now planted wide on the ground.
‘I admit that…’ he paused as if reluctant to continue ‘…it appears possible. There are facts to be confirmed before we know for sure.’
Of course he wouldn’t give in immediately. He’d hang onto power as long as possible. He mightn’t be his father but he was a powerful man who didn’t want to relinquish authority.
Annalena wanted to say she wasn’t interested in taking it off him, but that was her bargaining chip. She had to stay firm until they reached agreement.
‘How many people know?’ she asked.
‘Only those who need to.’
He shoved his hands in his trouser pockets, in the process pulling his jacket open to reveal a broad, hard-looking chest.
She blinked. He hadn’t moved but that change of stance reminded her of their biological differences. He was taller and, by the look of it, fit. No doubt he was physically stronger.
She was sure he wouldn’t harm her.
Yet you didn’t tell Oma you were staying in the palace. You let her think you were in a hotel.
Because her grandmother had lived through the trauma of losing a beloved daughter and a son-in-law. Despite her fierce intelligence and iron will, that had changed her. Annalena hadn’t wanted to worry her.
He asked, ‘How many haveyoutold?’
‘None.’ Before she could prevent them, more words spilled free. ‘But my grandmother knows I’m here, and a lawyer has extra copies of the documents. If I don’t return—’
Benedikt’s oath was loud in the quiet grove. ‘You think I’d harm you? You really believe…?’
She saw his disbelief, then his features settled in an outraged scowl before he turned and strode away. He reached the far side of the glade then spun back, his long paces eating up the distance, bringing him to a halt an arm’s length away.
It felt closer. He all but crackled with energy. She felt it lift the fine hairs on her arms and nape, drawing her skin tight with goosebumps.
Eyes like molten metal held hers. It was like looking into a furnace, so bright it hurt.
‘Whatever you believe about my father, whatever he may have done… I. Am. Not. Him.’
His chest rose mightily and she saw the frenetic beat of his pulse at his temple.
When he spoke again his voice was softer yet heavy with repressed emotion. ‘I don’t deliberately hurt people, Annalena. I won’t harm you.’
She believed him. His horror at her words was real. She still felt the shock of it reverberating around them.
Annalena nodded. ‘I know.’
‘Do you? You take my word for it? Isn’t that too trusting?’
An outsider might think so. She’d have thought so earlier. She didn’t pretend to understand everything about him, but the man she was just beginning to know didn’t fill her with dread.
On the contrary, he filled her with an uncomfortable feminine yearning stronger than she’d ever experienced.
Instead of wanting to shrink from him, she wanted to get close. It was one of the reasons she had to ground herself firmly whenever he was around. So as not to give in to temptation and get closer.
‘I’m not saying we’re on the same side. I’m not naive. But I believe you.’