Natalie Anderson - Mr Right All Along

General Zambrano stopped. The grim look became a thunderous frown again.

‘The next thing you’re pregnant, and clearly shocked about it. Then you disappear—only to reappear a few days later married to the Prince.’

Stella stared at her father. That was the longest speech he’d given her in years. ‘What are you asking me?’

‘Did he hurt you? Did you try to fight him off and fail?’

Her father thought Eduardo had assaulted her in some way?

‘Oh, no. No. No. No.’ Stella stepped closer, so shocked her tears stopped. ‘Eduardo would never...’

Her father didn’t look relieved. ‘I wouldn’t let him serve in the army because of the risk to other soldiers. He would have been a target. He can serve the country better elsewhere and Prince Antonio agrees. But Eduardo was very angry.’

‘He still is.’ Stella managed half a smile. ‘He would have been a good soldier.’

‘Did he hurt you?’ her father asked again.

‘Not in the way you mean. Never.’ She looked down, embarrassed at discussing something so personal with her father. ‘What we’ve shared, I’ve wanted. The trouble is I want more than he’s able to give me.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning we had a very brief affair and I got pregnant and he’s done “the right thing”... More than that, he’s done everything he can to protect me and this baby. But that’s all it is.’

‘Is he supportive?’ Her father cleared his throat. ‘He’s ensuring you have the best doctors?’

‘Of course.’ Her heart seized. She still hadn’t told Eduardo. She couldn’t—certainly not now. But because of her position as his wife she’d have the best specialist care.

‘You were arguing. I heard raised voices from along the corridor. And you’re upset.’

‘Because I’ve been stupid.’ To her horror, her eyes filled with tears again.

‘Stella...’

She couldn’t stand such a quiet word from her father. From the General.

‘I can’t be with a man who doesn’t love me,’ she cried. ‘I won’t live like that any more. I deserve more.’ She covered her face with her hands, willing her father to leave.

But he didn’t move.

‘I’ve tried to protect you for so long,’ he said unevenly. ‘Misguidedly.’

She looked up at him. He thought he’d been protecting her? ‘You wouldn’t let them promote me.’

In his eyes she saw so much. Hopelessness. Helplessness. Vulnerability. Love.

Her heart broke all over again.

‘What can I do?’ he asked gruffly.

‘I need to get away from here,’ she said wretchedly. ‘I need time to think.’

He stood. ‘How quickly can you be ready?’

‘I’m a soldier. I’m ready now.’

‘Then I’ll arrange it.’

Wordless, she felt her eyes well up again. All she could do was nod and turn away.

He would never open up to her the way she’d like him to. Never give her a paternal hug. Never tell her he loved her. But finally it seemed he might try to show her.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

EDUARDO STALKED ALONG the long corridor back to his apartment. Five hours had passed since their argument and his anger hadn’t lessened any.

She was scared about her pregnancy. That was why she’d called for Dr Russo. She hadn’t wanted to tell him—her husband. She didn’t trust him. Didn’t want to confide in him. Didn’t want to be with him. She’d said he was emotionally stunted.

He was feeling all the emotions now.

‘Stella?’ he called, as soon as he opened his apartment door. But his voice rang out unanswered in the empty atmosphere.

Adrenalin hit, bunching muscles, sharpening focus. Swiftly he sought out her belongings, but her duffel was missing, along with her old jeans and tee shirts and her trainers. She’d left her rings on the table beside the bed. Midnight’s Passion was beside them, the platinum chain coiled around it.

Shocked, he released the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.

She’d left him. She’d walked out through the front door. Of course she had. Because she was a damn good soldier, always a survivor, and she’d escaped.

From him.

His breathing quickened, lungs hurting. Heart hurting. He bent his head, screwing up his eyes so the sight of the sapphire wouldn’t mock him.

But it still did. God, it hurt. He wanted her. Needed her back. He loved her.

He swore. Short, pithy, pained. Then he moved. He had to freaking well move. He had to find her.

He picked up his phone. Called a captain he trusted.

‘The Princess. When did you last see her?’ he demanded, the second the guy answered.

‘Uh, the General came to see her and—’

‘When was that?’ Eduardo scowled, sourness sinking into his gut.

‘He arrived just before you left for the hospital,’ the Captain answered warily.

After Eduardo had argued with her and walked out. Had she had a showdown with her father? ‘When did the General leave?’

‘I believe they went out to lunch—’

‘They what?’ Confounded, Eduardo couldn’t believe his ears.

‘Uh...lunch. At a restaurant, I think—’

Eduardo didn’t bother listening to the rest. He turned on his heel and ran to the other end of the palace to General Carlos Zambrano’s quarters. He thudded on the door so hard it rattled the hinges. And sure enough General Carlos himself answered it.

‘Where is Stella?’ He pushed past the man into the room.

‘She’s your wife. Shouldn’t you know?’

‘She is her own person,’ Eduardo clipped an answer as he looked around the lounge. ‘You really had lunch with her?’

‘No, I’ve been in a meeting,’ the General answered.

The old man was lying. Eduardo should have come back to the palace hours ago. But he’d been unable to cancel that last engagement because he hadn’t wanted to let them down at the last minute. Instead he’d let Stella down.

‘My daughter is very strong,’ the General said. ‘She doesn’t grant many people the power to hurt her.’ He looked at him very carefully, his frown deepening. ‘I thought you had hurt her.’

‘I have.’

‘No.’ Carlos moved impatiently. ‘I mean physically. Back when she got pregnant.’

Dumbfounded, Eduardo stared, and then rage seared. ‘I would never—’

‘That’s what she told me.’ Her father raised his hands. ‘She said you are a good man. I was just...protective. And unwilling to trust her judgement.’

‘Good Lord, you really give her a hard time.’ Eduardo breathed hard to recover his equilibrium. He was furious. What had he ever done to make him think that? He might be arrogant and entitled, but he wasn’t a psychopath.

‘I’m sorry.’ The General sighed. ‘No man was ever going to be good enough for her. Not even a prince.’

Eduardo stared at the older man, seeing for the first time the pallor, the anxiety in his eyes. ‘What the hell is going on?’

‘I’m worried about her,’ Carlos admitted gruffly. ‘I lost her mother and it all but destroyed me. All these years I did what I thought was best for Stella. But I think I have been wrong. In sending her away...in protecting her from active duty—’

‘In helping her run away from me. That was wrong.’ Eduardo struggled to stay calm.

The General froze.

‘I know you’ve helped her.’ Eduardo’s anger simmered like a pot of molten lava, yet he was still unable to believe this horrible reality. ‘You might as well tell me where she is now, because I will find her. I have more resources, more patience than you can imagine. I have to know she is okay. I have to see that for myself.’

He realised now just how fragile she was. And just how courageous.

Last night he’d told her she wasn’t alone any more. But the first time she’d questioned it—the first time she’d needed him—he’d walked out. She’d been hurt and he’d hurt her more. Because he’d been so wrapped up in his own insecurity he hadn’t seen how truly upset she’d been.