The Gift: A Novella Read Free

“wow.” Zach sighed, unfolded his arms, sat up straight and leaned forward.
    “The lady is in a difficult situation.”
    “Yeah, well, life can be tough.”
    “Kaz…”
    “What in hell would make you think I’d ever take a job like that? Nursemaid to some hotshot celebrity?”
    “She isn’t a celebrity.”
    “What is she, then? A rich man’s wife?”
    “She’s a rich man’s daughter.”
    “Even better. Next you’re gonna tell me her name is Paris.”
    “Her name is Ekaterina. Ekaterina Rostov.”
    “Good for her.” Kaz pushed back his chair. “Listen, dude, I’d love to sit here and catch up on old times, but—”
    “Don’t you even want to know why she needs you?”
    “She does not need me. And I have a busy schedule this morning.”
    “Her old man isn’t just rich, he’s richer than Midas. And he’s powerful. Meaning—”
    “Meaning, there’s always the possibility of kidnappers, thieves and all-purpose bad guys. I get the picture.”
    Zach rolled his eyes, waved his hand as if to brush all that away. “She’s Sardovian.”
    “So you said.”
    “Well, so are you. Your father was Sardovian. And you have some interesting connections over there.”
    “I run Sardovia’s investment fund,” Kaz said, a little sharply.
    “Savitch. Don’t play dumb with me. You’re one important Sardovian dude.”
    Kaz’s jaw tightened. Nobody in his unit, nobody anywhere in the States had ever been aware of his “connections.” Why would they be? His grandfather certainly hadn’t boasted about their relationship, and neither had he.
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Kaz. My man.” Zach looked straight at him. “I know everything. You spent summers there when you were a kid. You know their customs. Their rules. Hell, your grandfather is the king.”
    “Goddammit, Castelianos, what’d you do? Research my life?”
    “Hey.” Zach winked. “I’m a trained investigator, remember?”
    “OK, so you’re good. It changes nothing. The lady doesn’t need me and I want no part of her. Aside from anything else, I have zero desire to go to Sardovia. Plus, this isn’t, this wasn’t ever my kind of job.”
    Zach sighed. “You’re right. The thing is, I need someone she can relate to.”
    “Trust me. I’m not that guy.”
    “She needs someone she can talk to without worrying that what she says will hit a dozen blogs, someone who can make sure nobody gives her any grief. She needs someone who understands her background. Her culture.” Zach paused. “I suspect she needs that most of all.”
    “You’ve lost me.”
    “She’s heading home for a betrothal ceremony.”
    “A betrothal ceremony?”
    “Yeah. It’s like an engagement thing—”
    “I know what it is. She’s going to be formally pledged to some dude. Once it’s over, she’s his forever.” Kaz’s mouth twisted. “You sure? Because it’s old school. It’s kind of like handing over property.”
    “Different strokes,” Zach said. “And he isn’t just some dude. He’s very rich, says daddy, and very powerful.”
    “Do you know his name?”
    “Daddy plays things close to the vest. All I know is that the ceremony is on Christmas Day. And she’s a little nervous about it, her father says.”
    “She’s some Mr. Big’s Christmas gift?”
    “I guess that’s one way to look at it—although why he’d want her is beyond me. I mean, she’s something to look at, all right, but the rest—”
    “The rest, what?”
    “She’s a little hard to handle. She’s accustomed to barking out orders, she doesn’t like to listen to reason, that kind of thing.”
    Kaz sighed. “Better and better. Look, man, I’m not trying to minimize this. You wouldn’t be involved if it weren’t important— I know that. And I’d love to help you, but, you know, I have a fund to run.”
    “If I asked you to set everything aside for a couple of days and take on a job that might mean risking your life, you’d do it without a