The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1) (22 page)

Truthfully, right now, Summer didn’t want to get to know animals. It was hard enough to get used to him and his family.

“Are you finished?” Chase asked nodding towards the mostly empty plate.

“Yes,” she answered. Surprisingly, she had eaten a better part of the pastry.

“Shall we do some more exploring?” he asked, helping his wife to stand and holding her hand, and she gladly took it.

Summer nodded before Chase led them both out, going back outside in the hot sun, their hands entwined together. Even as the sun began to set, the air was still hot and dry. He led them down past a few more casinos to the M&M factory store, and watched as her face lit up.

“Have you had M&M’s before?” Chase asked.

“Once, I think,” Summer said in awe as they stepped into the store. It wasn’t very often she got to have any sort of sweets. Her nose wrinkled in thought, causing Chase to stop and adore his wife for a moment. Her expressions were like a fresh breath of air sometimes. He’d never be able to tire of them.

At the very back of the store, the wall was filled with every color, every kind of M&M candy with a small stack of plastic bags to fill nearby. There were clothes, games, and toys all around the huge store. Summer wasn’t sure where to look first. Everything was so colorful. Chase held in an amused laugh as his wife looked around with an awed, happy expression. He knew right away that he had made the right choice in coming here.

He made the right choice period.

“We will get some to take home with us,” Chase stated.

“K,” she mumbled, knowing that it was no use to fight him if he wanted to spend money. He had told her over and over again that money was not an issue at all, and by now, Summer knew it wasn’t worth a fight. Not that she’d fight him anyway, but the thought counted, right?

Walking through the store, Chase watched what caught Summer’s attention, picking up a few items that her gaze lingered on longer, and also a few things for Clare. Summer’s expression was torn each time. She wasn’t sure if she should try to not allow him to spend his money on her, or let him go ahead and do it. She didn’t want to feel like she owed him anything, or feel disappointed once it stopped.

Once they finished checking out with a couple of bags filled with candies, clothes, and even a stuffed toy, Summer and Chase slowly made their way back to the hotel, getting on the shuttle as it stopped nearby. Chase knew that they needed to eat dinner and was sure that his wife was getting tired. She may deny it, but he knew her expressions and reactions like the back of his hand, even after such a short amount of time she’d been with him. He could see in her eyes that she was getting worn out, and Summer would force herself to keep going without saying anything. It was her nature, and she never once complained about anything.

He would bring her back again another time when she was able to know her own limits and wants. Reaching their room about half an hour later, Summer’s feet were sore. Sure, she was used to being on her feet a lot, but not so much with shoes, or walking in the hot outdoors on concrete. She yawned as Chase closed the door tightly behind them.

“There’s a huge bathtub you can take advantage of,” he said. "I’ll order dinner in while you do that.”

Summer nodded as she kicked her shoes off. A bath sounded amazing, but it took too much work at the moment. What she wanted was to sit on the couch, letting her husband hold her. She didn’t think Chase would want to be anywhere near her, as she was sure that he had things he still needed to do. But she sat on the couch anyway.

“Dinner first, then?” he asked. His look was soft as he took in his tired wife. She was still recovering from not only her loss of blood, but also from her past. He knew it would take more than a day or two to get her out of her shell and for her to shine.

“Sure,” Summer said, trying to not soak into the comfortable couch. It had been a long day, as it was just beginning to get dark outside. Out the huge window, Summer could see the lights beginning to shine from the Casinos. If she had enough energy, she’d have loved to see what it looked like.

Chase made a quick call, ordering BBQ chicken and French fries, before taking his own shoes off and taking a seat next to his wife. He then turned on the TV, laying his arm across the back of the couch. Slowly, Summer leaned back, trying her best to keep her body from touching his. Surely he was tiring of her by now. If she had to deal with her still mixed thoughts and quietness, she would be too.

But Chase’s presence drew her in more each time they were alone together. She didn’t understand why she could feel so safe with a man that ran the mafia and who was planning to kill her father without any regrets. She knew, deep down, that this man was deadly. He knew how to take care of things without drawing attention. But Summer still felt something towards him and she couldn’t figure out what that was.

All too soon, the food was delivered, and she was broken out of her thoughts. Chase signed for the food as he brought it in himself from the delivery boy of the hotel, and then got Summer her little pill to take.

The silence was comfortable between the two as they ate after Chase checked that nothing was tampered with. Summer was to tired, both emotionally and physically, to question why he had to check everything to such an extent. After eating, as Chase put the cart that held their plates out in the hallway, Summer changed into pj’s that had been packed for her and then returned to the couch, where Chase sat.

“Come here, honey,” he said, patting the seat next to him as Summer stood in between the rooms, not sure what to do.

At the command, she relaxed, taking the seat that he indicated. Once seated, Chase pulled her to his side, his arm over her shoulders and she leaned into him. For once, Summer felt safe. She felt like everything would be okay in the end, and nothing would happen to her. She didn’t fear the unknown of when they would get back to his house the next day, or of what awaited them.

For now, she would just pretend all was right with the world, with her husband holding her, as she snuggled into him and let her thoughts stay where they were as she closed her eyes and fell asleep against Chase’s bare chest letting his heartbeat relax her.

Chapter 21

Chase had carried her to bed after she had fallen asleep leaning against him the night before. He didn’t mind one bit, even as she snuggled into him after he crawled into bed. Chase had let Summer sleep in as long as she wanted and she couldn’t help but sleep much later than she was used to. He had decided to worked out in the private gym that was attached to their suite and came in at the same time that Summer had woken up.

Once Chase had taken a shower to wash off all the sweat, he sat out a couple of towels, soaps and shampoo for Summer. He hoped, though, that maybe next time he could join her in a bath if they were in a better place together as a married couple. Right now, he wouldn’t even think about it, as he couldn’t afford his other head thinking he ever had a chance of a release.

While she took a nice relaxing shower, he made a phone call to Ryder, making sure that everything was okay back home.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Ryder had drawled out. “No word of Blackhawk, but we did catch a rat, who was taken care of.”

“Good. The rat here has been also,” Chase said. “I should be home later tomorrow.” The phone call was fast and to the point. With Ryder working as a FBI agent, he was still the second in command when Chase was out of town or not able to lead his family if the need arose.

Entering the Mozen Bistro, Chase and Summer were led to a table near the far widow by a hostess, looking over the swimming pool of the hotel. If only she didn’t have stitches in her arm, Summer certainly would have enjoyed a nice relaxing time in the pool. She was had been tempted to take a long bath earlier, but remembered she wasn’t able to soak her arm, nor could she bath for another three weeks.

Asher was already sitting at the table with three glasses of water waiting for them by the time Chase and Summer arrived. He stood when he saw the Prince and his Princess, a smile lighting his face. The table was a glass square with four cream colored fabric chairs surrounding it.

“Good morning!” Asher chirped as Chase helped Summer to sit. She wore a pair of jean shorts paired with a dark gray and blue tank top that she had looked at yesterday and Chase was quick to pick up and buy. They fit her well, perfect actually. They weren’t to short, and they faded from light blue to a dark blue.

“Morning, Asher,” Chase said in return as Summer gave him a small smile. It felt so weird to be able to act like a normal person. Some moments seemed harder than others as she got accustomed to how everything worked.

“I have this for you,” Asher said, handing Chase the drive that contained the changed bank accounts. “I looked them over again this morning, and it is as I expected.” Asher’s hair was more his own style today, crazy bed hair. It was clean, but fit him better. The bleached tips were pointed every which way, and he had dark eyeliner around his hazel eyes, nearly making them pop.

“Thank you. I’ll take a look at them when I get back home. I didn’t bring my computer along on the trip this time,” Chase said, pocketing the device after noticing it had a number two on the side.

“No worries,” Asher said with a shrug. Both men knew that there was someone watching their interaction. “How are you enjoying your trip, Summer?”

“It’s . . . different.” It was the only way she knew how to answer him. It was different from what she knew.

“I hope you like Las Vegas and want to return someday,” Asher replied. “There’s always something new to see and experience here.”

“We will return, and not on a business trip,” Chase stated.

“Good!” Asher said. “When do you head back?”

“Tomorrow,” the Prince answered. “Mid-morning. I have things that need taken care of back home. But can I count on you still? When the time comes for the big mission?”

“Of course, Chase,” Asher said, appalled that he would even think that way. His eyes widened slightly. “I have always been on your side, man. I am so looking forward to helping you take down the Meads.”

“Summer will be in the know,” Chase said, taking a hold of her hand. “After all, it is his fault that she has seen more horror than any woman should.”

“Wonderful,” Asher smiled, shooting Summer a happy, content look. He couldn’t wait for a good fight to break out. “And the sister?”

“That is up to her,” Summer spoke up. She didn’t want her sister to be in anything, but she couldn’t stop her if Clare wanted in too. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly as Chase gave her a surprised look. She ducked her head, but kept her gaze on him through her eyelashes.

“Don’t be sorry,” Chase said, squeezing her hand in reassurance. He was thrilled she willing spoke up on the matter. “It is completely up to Clare on what she wants to do.”

Asher looked between the two, knowing that if anything happened, the pair would be together. They may not look strong, but over time, their emotions and actions would be strong together. He could see that they cared about each other, even without knowing their entire history.

“I will come when you call,” Asher said after a moment. Chase was the only person Asher would ever drop everything for.

Right at that moment, the waiter came to take their orders. Summer ordered the soup of the day, as she didn't think she would be a fan of the menu items that the restaurant had to offer. Both Asher and Chase ordered something she couldn’t pronounce. She made a mental thought about trying to learn Italian, since Chase spoke it when he was upset over something, and a lot of the menus seemed to written that way.

“Will you be going to any spa’s while here?” Asher asked towards Summer. She shook her head. There was no way she would go do something like that, let alone on her own. And apparently, he didn’t notice the cut on her arm.

“Next time then,” Asher said with a smile. “You know; you remind me of my aunt, she passed away a couple of years ago, but she was quiet, and hardly ever asked for anything.”

Summer simply shrugged as her cheeks heated. It would take years to get used to all these compliments. Not that she wanted them to stop. They made her feel stronger than she appeared to be most days.

"Would you like to join us at the arcade? I figured that would be a fun place to stop today,” Chase said as the food was delivered.

“Sure, if it’s okay with Summer,” Asher answered, not wanting to impose. The girl was important to everything, and Asher knew that.

Summer nodded. It didn’t matter to her. She liked the boy, which was saying a lot. She didn’t like many people, men in particular. But she was taken with Asher, almost like a little brother maybe? Or maybe a cousin that she didn’t know well.

“I don’t know if Chase had told you much about how I got to work with him?” Asher asked between bites. At her shake of the head, he went on. “My parents who passed away, didn’t leave many options for me. At the time, I was a young stupid teenager. I thought I knew what I was doing, even after they told me how much of a screw up I was and how I needed to grow up. I didn’t know how to live life, or what to do, really. So I ran off with no money, no clothes or anything. I didn’t care that I was leaving my childhood home, and a girl that had my heart, behind. A few months after that, I ran into his brother on a trip here, and tried to steal his wallet.

“I was caught, by Chase himself, and he offered me a job. I did what was asked, and earned his trust, proving that I could do as his wished in a timely manner. He gave me a place to stay, food, and enough money to waste on pointless crap. Anyway, before I knew it, I felt like part of his family. He had trusted me enough to do some of his work, keeping an eye on things here.”

“He’s almost like another brother,” Chase said, almost sheepishly. He wasn’t the type to broadcast his feelings, let alone to someone that he paid. “I can always tell when someone is worth my trust and time.
And
my money.”

“Well, you did help me finish school,” Asher laughed. “He really has been a great friend and employer.”

“I will help anyone that deserves it,” Chase stated after finishing his food off.

“Plus, with his plans to make as much as he can right, I think he could eventually run for president,” Asher joked.

“No thanks. I’m good being me,” Chase laughed.

“A Prince, of course. Never the king?” Asher teased.

“I don’t even want to be a Prince, but I have no say. I am who I am and I will do everything in my power to change things for the better,” Chase said, his voice light.

Summer only ate a few spoonfuls of her soup, not finding it something that she liked. She knew without a doubt that Chase wouldn’t be mad about wasting such expensive food. Even though she hated the thought of wasting it.

After paying the bill, the three headed towards the arcade that was about a mile from their hotel they were at. They took the monorail once again, as it was easy access. Normally, Chase would have a driver and bodyguard, but knew he was safe here. No one would dare touch him or his wife. And with Asher keeping tabs on his enemies that would be near, he felt safe enough without having to go all out.

Plus, Chase could kill a man in less than a second if need be. He was trained by his father and a few other men. Soon, he’d need to work on getting Clare and Summer to know how to handle a gun to hopefully get out of a sticky situation. With being tied to him, Chase knew that the two girls would need to know how to protect themselves.

Chase wanted Summer to have fun, and be herself. That would be hard to do if they were constantly followed. Although, there was a man that was following them, which Chase knew about. He wasn’t the best at being secretive about it either, which both men thought was laughable.

“After we leave, can you take care of the dog?” Chase asked as they entered into the busy arcade and out of the hot humid sun.

“Yep,” Asher replied, paying for coins at the counter for them all to use.

Summer stayed quiet, not sure what they were talking about. But from what she knew, there was someone doing something that wasn’t allowed in Chase’s company.

Inside the arcade, there was a number of game machines to play, each giving out winning tickets to buy a prize. Summer wasn’t sure what to do with so many options once again. She had never been to a place like this; didn’t even know it existed.

Chase picked one, seeing that Summer couldn’t decide on which game to play first. He started off in the quieter part of the arcade. Here, there was a few ball games where they had to throw balls at a circle, trying to hit the middle target to earn the most points. Of course, Chase and Asher could do it each time. Summer tried a couple times, not sure what the big deal was. She sucked.

Summer was nervous as she felt like she was being watched. It was the first time in weeks she felt like that. She wanted to tell Chase, but wasn’t sure how to voice it, although he picked up that something was off about her all of a sudden.

Maybe it was being in a place that she hadn’t experienced yet and that they were the oldest group in the entire arcade, so Summer pushed it off, trying to keep her panic from rising. It did help with the meds in her system to keep it lower, but being watched always put her on edge. She remembered all too well all the times she was watched like a hawk in every single home she had been in before. Either to use the bathroom, cooking, cleaning. Every movement had been watched in some sort of way. She had never felt like she could relax.

Chase tried to talk Summer through each game, telling her the way to win the most but gave up after the fourth one, seeing that his wife wasn’t into the whole thing. He even stood behind Summer, helping her aim the water gun as a little yellow duck that was on the backboard. She gave a shiver of pleasure as his front was pushed up against her back. Once their turn was over, Summer was disappointed when he backed away with a tender smile.

He happened to glance up and looked around the room, his eyes landing on a man he knew all too well leaning against a machine towards the shadows. The man was unmistakable. Chase knew that the man didn’t know that he was spotted, so Chase acted as though he hadn’t seen him.

“Listen closely,” Chase said, putting Summer in front of him and acting like he was telling her how to play the game that they stood in front of. His voice was loud enough that Asher would also be able to hear from his spot next to them. “There is a man in the shadows by the animal crane machine. He’s the right hand man for Jason Meads.”