“Is that Thomas?” I ask Nolan.
He looks sharply in the direction I’m pointing. “Yes,” he says, releasing my hand and pushing off the tree. “Come on.”
He stalks out toward Thomas. We meet him halfway, and he bows slightly to both of us.
“Sir, I have news,” he says.
“How did you find me?”
“You didn’t make it a secret that you would be here,” he says, frowning.
Nolan smiles at that. “Okay then. What’s the news?”
“I have a piece of information that I felt is important enough to bring myself,” he says slowly, glancing at me. “Sir, may I talk freely?”
Nolan waves at him. “You can say whatever in front of Hazel.”
Thomas nods quickly. “Of course, sir.”
“What’s the news?”
“I found a man… an old friend of Lord Eder’s. He claims to know something about Lord Eder, but will only give the information up for a large sum of money.”
“How much?” Nolan asks.
“Half a million American dollars.”
Nolan laughs. “Fine. Give me his address, I’ll pay him.”
“Very well, sir.” Thomas hands Nolan a slip of paper with an address written on it. “The man’s name is Micah Hassel. You’ll find him here. And sir, I should warn you. Micah is rather… strange.”
Nolan puts his hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “If he has something good, I don’t care if he’s insane.”
“Of course.” Thomas bows slightly again and Nolan’s hand drops.
“You did a good job. Thank you for this.”
Thomas hesitates for a second. “I only hope that this will prove where my, ah, loyalties lie.”
Nolan smirks at him. “Of course.”
He bows again and quickly turns away. He walks back to the cars and disappears into the crowd of volunteers.
“Creepy guy,” I say.
“Yeah,” Nolan agrees. “But if he has what I think he has… I don’t care how creepy he is.”
“We’re really following this up?” I ask him.
“Absolutely. Can’t pass up this sort of opportunity. I had Thomas follow Julian a few days ago, and I’m guessing this is a part of that assignment.”
I nod, surprised and impressed. I knew that Nolan was starting to make moves against Julian, but this is very smart. He obviously knows what he’s doing.
“Let’s go,” he says, taking my hand. I follow him over to the parking lot and we get into his car.
For the first time since this started, I feel like we might have a chance. Nolan has a plan and he’s motivated. He’s doing the real work. I just have to give in and trust him.
And let him get me pregnant.
23
Nolan
We pull up to Micah’s house and instantly I know what Thomas meant when he suggested that Micah is a little strange.
The place is a rundown cottage at the edge of a small village. It’s surrounded by high hedges, so high that you can barely even see the tiny house. Smoke curls up from the chimney, although it’s warm outside. As we park the car and get out, I turn toward Hazel.
“Maybe you should stay behind,” I say to her.
“No way,” she answers. “I’m not sitting this out.”
I sigh. “Okay. But if anything bad goes down, you better run.”
“Fine.” She smiles sweetly. “But I’m sure you’ll keep me safe, you big, strong man.”
I sigh and roll my eyes. She hurries to catch up as I stride out toward Micah’s front door.
There’s junk all over the yard. The guy’s clearly some kind of hoarder. Old engine parts, empty paint cans, rusty scrap metal, and bits of wood and furniture dot the yard. We hurry up onto his porch and I knock on the door.
I glance at Hazel, but she doesn’t look nervous. I’m a little uneasy, but if she’s calm then I’ll keep my shit together. Hazel is stronger than she gives herself credit for. I don’t think she even realizes how strong she can be.
The door finally opens a crack and a man looks out at us. He’s around Julian’s age, but his hair is white. His scraggly beard is patchy and gray, and I’m pretty sure he’s missing some teeth.
“What do you want?” he snaps.
“Are you Micah Hassel?” I ask him.
His eyes narrow. “Who wants to know?”
“I’m Nolan Leitner,” I say, amazed that this guy doesn’t recognize me.
He hesitates. “Prince Nolan?”
“Yes,” I say. “The one and only.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” He throws the door open. “Come on in! Not every day I have royalty to visit.”