Free Heir Untamed by Danielle Bourdon Page B

photographing.”
    “Mhm.” He didn't sound convinced. At the door, he issued brisk words in his mother tongue. A sharp answer came from the other side. Swinging the door open, he traded another few terse sentences with a man dressed in a dark business suit. After a moment, Sander nodded once, a curt gesture, then glanced at Chey. “He'll drive you back to the castle.”
    The suited man glanced from Sander to Chey, then stepped aside to indicate he wanted her to go first. Parked not far from the cabin, a rugged Jeep sat with the engine idling. Chey hadn't heard it pull up.
    “All right. Thanks again for...everything.” Chey glanced once more at Sander, who cut her a brief smile, and stepped out to the porch.
    From there, the suited man escorted her to the Jeep, head on a swivel to study his surroundings, and opened the door to the passenger side. Chey climbed in with a murmur of gratitude for his help. He closed the door with a quiet thump, rounded the nose of the Jeep, and got in. Chey watched Sander, who stood in the open doorway, until the Jeep swerved around and headed away down a narrow path in the opposite direction.
    Questions about the intentions of the shooter lurked in the back of her mind all the way back to the castle.

Chapter Five
    Chey stood in the big garden, or the King's Garden, as dusk fell across the landscape. She studied the angle she'd set the camera up to capture, a picturesque view of a square arch overflowing with small, climbing roses. Greenery surrounded it and not far beyond, a fountain of cherubs burbled merrily. It would make a great backdrop for a family photo.
    Since her return to the castle, security had been tightened even more than usual. Men and military stood guard in the halls, at the doors, and around the courtyards and perimeter of the grounds. Allar had no new information to give her. He reassured her everything was being done to track down the perpetrator and left it at that.
    Not that Chey expected regular updates. She was sure she probably wouldn't ever hear what became of the incident in the woods. The security didn't owe her any explanations.
    She had her equipment back in one piece and for that she was grateful. While she waited for the family, she found her phone among the bags and entered Sander's number into the short contact list. She sent a text as promised.
    Back safe and sound. Look forward to canoeing. C.
    Putting the phone away just as she heard a mild commotion at the doors to the garden, Chey smoothed her palm over the new suit she'd changed into. Dove gray with a pink shirt beneath, it made her feel businesslike and professional. For this assignment, she knew she needed to dress appropriately and had brought every suit she owned.
    Into the King's Garden swept Viia, heels cracking over the stone walkway. She looked smart and sharp in a black skirt suit with white accents. Pulled back into a sleek chignon, the severe style of her blonde hair accentuated the high perfection of her cheekbones and the lush shape of her red painted mouth. She glanced briefly at Chey on the way by, dismissing her just as fast.
    Remembering Mattias' request, Chey stepped behind the camera and snapped a few shots without the flash. She caught Viia looking somewhat perturbed—which was, as far as Chey could tell, a normal expression for her—and impatient.
    It wasn't her fault the woman was constantly in a sour mood.
    Aurora entered the garden next, subdued in a fragile peach dress that swished around her calves.
    “It would have made for a better portrait, Aurora, if you'd worn something less...frilly,” Viia said with a skeptical look at Aurora's dress.
    “Paavo wanted me to wear this one. He's in his gray suit.” Aurora didn't glance at Chey as she approached Viia and the rose covered arch. “Besides. You're not quite of the family yet. If and when you are, then you'll be wearing more appropriate clothing.”
    The stinging words caught Chey by surprise. She straightened behind