Prince Charming Read Online Free PDF Page B

between the group of men and the two women. He ignored her and Maria. His forceful gaze swept the group of men, probably counting them, then he scanned the tree line, the reins taut in his low, still hands. Without any visible signal, he urged the blowing animal into an edgy walk. He angled his chin downward, staring at the Gabbiano brothers as he walked his horse down the line of them.
    “Where is he?” he asked in an icy tone.
    Dani closed her eyes, knowing from the marrow of her bones that he was the sort of man who would not stop until he got what he wanted.
    “I’m waiting,” he said in an ominously gentle tone.
    Still the boys refused to answer. Dani’s eyes flicked open. She was the one he wanted. She knew they would never reveal her identity, no matter what the cost to themselves. Conscience and loyalty to her friends clamored for her to step forward and try to save them by taking the blame she deserved. But she somehow fought the need for this moment’s justice, knowing that if she landed herself in jail alongside them, they would lose their only hope of rescue.
    And rescue them she would, she thought in determination. She had gotten them into this and she would bloody well get them out of it, too.
    “Where is he?” the prince suddenly bellowed without warning, startling even his horse, but the white stallion’s low rearing did not so much as jar his smooth mastery of the animal.
    “Gone,” Mateo ground out.
    Dani glanced down to the gates of her home as the prince’s carriage turned presently onto her drive. It came clattering up as His Highness continued badgering Mateo.
    “Gone where?” asked Prince Rafael from high astride his horse.
    “How should I know?” Mateo snarled.
    He raised his riding crop in warning at Mateo’s insolent tone, but he didn’t hit him, lowering his hand, his expression grim. Instead, he looked at his men, a glaring light in his eyes, his chiseled face cold with authority. “You two: Put these creatures in the carriage and take them to Belfort Gaol.”
    “This one, too, Your Highness?” the captain asked, dangling Gianni by his arm.
    “All of them,” he said crisply. “There is one more of their gang still at large. The leader. A boy of about eighteen. He is on foot, with a gunshot wound to his right upper arm. He is no doubt still hiding in the woods, where I’m sure you will find my gold as well, since these brigands had the wits at least not to get caught with it on their persons. And by the way, gentlemen,” he said to his men, “if any of you steal from me when you find my gold, you will suffer the same punishment as these thieves. Go.”
    The men glanced at each other uncertainly.
    “Go, damn it, before he gets away!”
    Dani and Maria jumped at his roar, holding on to each other. Dani was trembling. Maria glanced quickly at her in fright, for she had seen her wounded arm. Maria, of course, knew of her illegal activities.
    “My lady, please tell my mother what has happened,” Mateo called tensely to her while his brothers were herded into the very carriage they had robbed. His dark, expressive eyes were full of fury. It was strange to hear him use her title for the benefit of the men present.
    “Don’t worry,” she answered, playing her role as lady of the manor, and wincing as they shoved him into the carriage with his brothers. “This has all been a misunderstanding which I am sure will be remedied by morning!”
    “Who are you?” the prince suddenly demanded, discovering her for the first time. Arrogant as Lucifer, he stared down his patrician nose at Dani from astride his towering steed.
    Maria’s arm tightened around her waist, as if trying to squeeze a civil answer out of her rather than the stinging retort on the tip of her tongue, but his high-and-mighty manner was quite offensive. Nor did it escape her that their positions were most woefully switched from a short while ago. She lifted her chin. “I am the lady of this house and I might