“This is beautiful.”

Levi motioned to the bench and waited for her to settle onto it before he sat beside her. “I love this spot. We’re high enough to look over the sea wall but low enough that boaters can’t easily see us.”

“A perfect hideaway.”

“A good place to find some peace anyway.”

“Do you often need to find peace?” Cassie asked.

“Everyone does at one time or another,” Levi said.

“Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“My pleasure.”

CHAPTER 6

Levi led the way down the dirt path leading to the stables. Cassie followed, her white button-up tucked into tan riding pants. She was supposed to be blending in, but at the moment, she hardly looked like a commoner. Levi suspected her boots alone cost the equivalent of a week’s salary. He glanced down at the knee-length leather. Make that a month’s salary.

“I thought you were going to teach me about security today,” Cassie said.

“I am.”

They stepped clear of the trees. A few horses grazed in the pasture to the right, and two horses were already saddled and tethered to the hitching post outside the stables. Not for the first time, Levi admired the long wooden structure. He knew firsthand it could easily house two dozen horses and had more square footage than most homes in the United States.

Cassie motioned toward the ring to her left, which currently had several jumps in place. “Are you planning on testing my riding ability?”

“No. That’s set up for Prince Stefano’s children. Paolo has been teaching them how to jump.”

Her expression softened into a wistful smile. “That’s sweet.”

Paolo walked out of the stables. “There’s the pretty lady.”

Cassie’s smile brightened. “Good morning, Paolo.”

“It is now.” Paolo took her hand and kissed the back of it.

“I didn’t know you were such a charmer,” Cassie said.

Levi put his arm around Cassie’s shoulders. “Cassie, you can stop flirting with my friend.”

“But he’s so handsome.”

“Ah, I knew I liked this one.” Paolo gave a nod of approval.

“Did you see Patrice this morning?” Levi asked.

“Yes.” Paolo nodded. “Everything is all arranged.”

“Thank you.” Levi nudged Cassie forward before she could ask any questions. “Shall we?”

“I guess we shall.”

They both mounted their horses, and Levi started down the path that circled through the wooded area behind the chateau. Cassie took position to his right, her head held high, her posture straight.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re checking the fence line of the chateau to make sure there hasn’t been any tampering.”

“Keeping the perimeter secure,” Cassie summarized.

“Yes.” Levi reined his horse to the right.

“How often do you do this?”

“It depends on the season and who is currently at the chateau.” He reached a spot where cinder block and wrought iron created an inner barrier. Identical fencing ran along the outside of the property, and a high-voltage electrical fence ran between the two. “We rely on motion sensors and security cameras to detect intruders, but the fence is the first barrier to prevent anyone from penetrating the grounds.”