Read Online The Wrath of the King by Danielle Bourdon - Free Book Online Page A

into the light.
    “There is no one here. Just in case, I'll take my leave. Wait ten minutes before you do the same.” Gunnar stalked away from the office, heading for the main hallways that would take him to the stairs.
    On the way to the upper, private floors, he found his phone and sent Mattias a text message.
    It read: We have a situation. Your presence is needed immediately. Come at once.
    Unless Mattias showed up or Sander woke from the coma, there wasn't much Gunnar could do to stop Paavo's plans for Latvala.

Chapter Seven
    Twisting his chin left and right, Paavo tightened the knot of his tie against his throat. Smoothing his hand down the front, he examined the immaculate suit of black and crisp, pale green shirt beneath. It did interesting things to his eyes, the color of the button down, or so he liked to think.
    Freshly showered and groomed, he departed his bedroom suite and made his way to the second floor, veering down another hall until he came to the parlor he'd chosen for dinner with Wynn. As instructed, the waitstaff had set up a new table near two tall windows and draped it with clean, cream linens and pristine china with a delicate pattern. He examined the layout with a critical eye. Satisfied his demands had been met, he turned to the vase of flowers flanking the table, set aside rather than in the middle where they might make an awkward obstacle during the meal. White lilies poked up from lush green fronds and an array of other colorful flora filled in the remaining space.
    Noise from the doorway brought Paavo's attention around. Expecting to see Wynn, a young, thin man stood there instead. Large brown eyes peered out of an angular face, his nondescript clothing making him blend in with the background.
    As was intended.
    The young man bowed his head in respect. “Your Majesty.”
    “Davin, come in. Have you news?” Paavo watched the boy come closer.
    “I do, yes.”
    “Tell me, then.” Paavo tapped his own ear to indicate he wanted the young man to whisper there.
    Davin did as instructed, laying the words out in concise sentences that went straight to the point rather than danced around it.
    Paavo straightened. “Very good. You'll find your payment where I said you would. Keep me updated if you find anything else.”
    The young man bowed his head once more and exited with all due haste.
    Staring across the room at nothing in particular, Paavo resisted the urge to backhand the vase of flowers. Busted ceramic and lilies all over the floor wouldn't help the image he wanted to portray for his dinner companion. Taking out his phone, he shot off three text messages.
    “I hope I'm not late. My nightstand clock was a few minutes off.”
    Paavo schooled his features and glanced at the door. There stood Wynn, looking a little nervous. He eyed her conservative outfit of black—pants and sleeveless button down vest—trimmed with white piping. She was a tiny thing, with frail shoulders and an expressive face framed by a bob of sleek, dark hair. It took effort for him not to show his annoyance in the open.
    “No, right on time. Come, sit down. Dinner should be here shortly.” Paavo gestured to one of the chairs at the table as another text message came in. He tilted the phone up to read.
    As Wynn made her way over, Paavo sent off one last text.
    That should take care of at least one problem.
     
    . . .
     
    The heavy chime of a grandfather clock struck the midnight hour. Wynn matched her steps to the metronome, pacing the long hallway on the second floor with her arms crossed over her chest. She didn't care that she was dressed in pajamas or that her feet were bare. The lounge pants in hunter green with a long sleeved top were modest at any rate, more than adequate to wander the castle.
    She couldn't get her mind off dinner. Off Paavo. His demeanor during the meal had been intense to say the least, with lingering eye contact and an accidental brush of his shoe against her calf that had put her on edge. The