That night was their last night in the Hallstatt house. They took advantage of one more hydrotherapy session. Every moment was sweet torture with beautiful and innocent Lizzy in a swimming suit and being her irresistible self. That night back in their room was even more difficult than the previous nights had been. After those moments of holding her close on the hike and doing hydrotherapy, she’d penetrated his armor. Now he listened to her sweet exhalations and fought to restrain himself. He wanted to slip onto her bed and simply hold her close. That was a horrible idea for keeping his distance emotionally or physically.
Thursday morning, they packed their things and said goodbye to the house and Hallstatt. Chase would never forget the memories here with Lizzy, but the attack had cast a pallor over everything, and he was ready to move on.
He waited every day to hear that they’d captured Grady Worthen. So far, there had been only silence on that end. Tate Heiner wouldn’t admit how he and Worthen afforded to travel all the way to Europe or how they knew where to find Lizzy. The notes from Worthen swore he’d never stop chasing her for ruining his life. They had motivation, but no means. Heiner’s bank account at least showed a positive balance, as opposedto Worthen’s overdrawn checking account, but Heiner hadn’t withdrawn any funds for the trip.
How was Worthen, a guy on the run with no resources, eluding the police, Interpol, and Sutton Smith’s trained operatives? Everyone thought he was deep in hiding, but Chase felt eyes on them almost every time they went in public. No one, including him, had spotted Worthen anywhere.
Would Lizzy ever be safe? How soon could they go back to developing their relationship if he had to keep focusing on her safety?
On Thursday, they drove back to Salzburg and checked off non-Sound of Musictouristy things. They started with the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Built in 1027, and with impressive military trappings, the castle-like buildings overlooked the city from the hill. The structure was massive, and the tour was intriguing. Chase especially liked all the ancient listening devices that helped with military defense and safety.
Lizzy was quick to point out that the fortress was the backdrop for scenes inTheSound of Music. She was enticing. Chase was agitated, fighting his longing to hold her close, but her safety had to take precedence to the yearning inside him and the beseeching in her brown eyes.
They went to Mozart’s birthplace, Mirabell Palace, Salzburg Cathedral, St. Peter’s Abbey, and they ate gelato twice. It was more gelato than his stomach needed. It was too busy churning with worry about keeping Lizzy safe.
Something dark was lurking, and he could see Captain Macon felt it too. Chase could hardly wait to get to wherever they were staying tonight.
Finally, after a dinner of pizza and caprese salad, a nice change from all the local Austrian food, he and Lizzy had Tony and Elijah with them in the vehicle. They followed Captain Macon and Joshua, while Sutton Smith’s men drove a third SUV.
It was still light outside. What would they do tonight? Only two more nights left of this tour. Chase didn’t want this time with Lizzy to end, but he was currently a mess and of course she sensed that.
What would he do when they returned home? Brandon had assured him he’d pay for Aiden Porter or Sutton Smith’s people to protect Lizzy until Worthen was apprehended. What was Chase’s role? He’d told Lizzy he’d stay with her, but they both had their own lives to get back to. Yet what was holding him in Jade Valley? He wanted to be with Lizzy, wherever she went.
They drove up to a luxurious-looking hotel, tall and stately with a white finish and loads of windows.
Lizzy gasped and wrapped her fingers around his arm. “Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” she breathed out.
“What is it?” he asked, his gaze darting around, preparing for danger.
“This is the Schloss Leopoldskron Palace. They shot exterior scenes from the movie in the gardens and on the lake behind it. It’s now a luxurious hotel, but most tours only see the gardens from across the lake. I can’t believe we’re staying here. Oh, this is so kind of Brandon.”
Chase smiled at her effusiveness. Taking her elbow, he led her into the lobby, checking over his shoulder but not seeing anyone except their guards.
They checked in and were escorted to their rooms. The suite he and Lizzy were in was gorgeous. She had a separate bedroom, and the main living area had a pullout bed. It was slightly better than a sofa to sleep on, and no one could get into her room without going past him. Chase wanted to hunker down and know she was safe, but it was still light outside.
“Can we please tour the grounds?” Lizzy begged, staring out the window.
“Sure.” He wanted to say no, but he couldn’t. This was what she’d been waiting for the past two weeks. HerSound of Musicobsession made him smile. It was a relief to smile, and Lizzy made everything brighter and happier.
Chase texted Macon, and Tony and Elijah shadowed them as they went outside. The grounds were immaculate, the flowers beautiful, the lake peaceful. The sun set as they walked around, Lizzy reminding him about how Maria fell in the lake, dumping the canoe with the children ‘right over there’ and how she cussed the Captain out ‘right here, on this very spot’, etcetera. Chase smiled and listened and checked the shadows. Every large tree could be concealing a threat.
Lizzy dodged around one of those large trees and into the shadows.
“Lizzy!” he exclaimed, rushing after her. He checked for threats but found nothing.
She leaned against the tree, blinking up at him. “Isn’t it romantic?”
Chase’s heart slammed against his chest. She was all things romantic to him, but he couldn’t let his guard down. Especially not out here where they were exposed. He glanced back across the lake. A sniper’s rifle could easily be trained on them. Anybody could jump in a rowboat and slide right into this location. Nobody believed Grady was in the vicinity, but Chase felt danger.
“We’d better get inside,” he murmured, taking her elbow and leading her through the grounds.
Lizzy’s disappointment was palpable, and Chase could completely understand. He wanted romance with her. He wanted it badly. When the threat was eliminated, he hoped they could get back to the comfortable yet exhilarating relationship they’d been building before her attack Saturday night.
They walked up the stairs and into their suite, and Macon did a sweep.
“Clear,” he muttered to Chase.
“Thank you.” Chase led Lizzy inside, bolting the door behind them and turning on the sensor Tony had installed. They’d only have one guard in the hallway since they didn’t have an entire home and property to monitor.
