' She's a princess. '
There was a pause. ' William, have you been drinking? '
' She's a princess from Antiochda, ' his assistant continued doggedly. ' One of the world's richest islands.
Gold, diamonds, petroleum, natural gas, uranium.
They hold some international yacht race every year. They've even ----'
' I know I have heard of it, William.' Massimo said cutting him off.
' She was engaged to some prince. Prince Damian of Mardov------known as Dam, he's a bit of a player, lived on another Mediterranean island--- known each other since they were kids.'
' Just before the engagement was due to be announced he goes and makes some English dressmaker pregnant. It was a big scandal. '
' He was forced to marry the dressmaker ----- so the wedding with Princess Toyin had to be called off. And that's when she disappeared'
' Disappeared? ' Massimo repeatedly slowly, his mind spinning as he tried to get his head round the relevant facts.
Not just the name Dam rang a distant bell in his memory, but a far more worrying one, he'd just had sex with a virgin princess?
Before coming here whenever he had conversations with Andy, Andy always revel her name or say something about her.
Soon their business conversations had her as the main topic.
And that had got him to want to spend his short holiday here.
After seeing her he'd ask his assistant, William to dip into her, but got nothing.
' Into thin air. She ran away. Or rather, flew away. Nobody knew about it because her brother instigated an information lockdown.' William continued
' And no one had any idea where she was. At least, not until now.'
Another pause.
" They know she's in Poonbarra, Massimo."
" And how....? " Massimo drew in a deep breath.
" How the hell do they know that? "
' Seems like Mrs Donovan----the woman who runs the general store in Corksville, her son's family from Antiochda recognize Toyin yesterday. '
"They contacted one of the newspaper in Brisbane and the rest is exactly how you imagine it will be. "
"The journalist did their research and I'm ringing to tell you, that you should expect a deputation of the world's press on your doorstep, pretty soon. "
" That can't be allowed to happen, William, " Massimo said in a low voice.
" I don't want a circus invading town. Poonbarra is a place of privacy. The only place in the world, where I can be guaranteed peace. "
" I want you to kill this story"
" I don't see how that's going to be possible, boss. It's already got legs. "
" Well then get me out of here before they arrive. " Massimo voice was cold.
Not only had she kept her innocence a secret, now she's a royal. A royal on a run! Deceitful woman. Scheming woman.
Anger and resentment washed over him but he could still smell her on his skin and taste her in his mouth and it was tantalizing and distracting.
Even the thought of her was making him hard.
He showered, put on a shirt and a pair of trousers
And went looking for her.
He knocked on her room door.