Page 99 of Roaming Holiday

“I still have to speak to him.”

Dad gets up and walks toward me. He runs a hand over his troubled demeanor. “From what I see, this is dangerous… You should be staying as far away from him as possible.”

My lungs tighten. “Him?”

“It,” he corrects, his gaze falling. “You should stay away from it.”

I can only imagine what they were discussing before I walked in. They made judgments based on a file of information about Wesley. But that doesn’t show what he’s truly like.

“I understand you’re upset,” Aunt Beverly says, “but these protocols are to keep you safe. It’s our understanding that this problem concerns your bodyguard, not you.”

Tears of frustration prick my eyes. “This problem,” I grit, “became mine the second I watched the man I love beaten and nearly killed. You expect me to walk away?”

“If it’s?—”

“No,” I cut off Dad. “I’m done making decisions based on how it might affect you or this family.” I look between him and my aunt. “You two might be okay with ignoring the people you love, but I’m not.”

I spin on my heel and head down the corridor, ignoring their calls for me.

It doesn’t take me too long to locate Wesley. I jump in on the security team meeting, sitting between him and Jack.

Jack recounts yesterday’s events based on Wesley’s information, and I confirm every frightening detail. I don’t leave once we move on to discussing Arlo’s business and influence, and all except Wesley appear surprised or even unsettled by my continued presence, Mason included.

“Your Highness,” Jack says, “we will send for you when we come up with a notable idea. You should rest after such a long day.”

I won’t let him, or anyone, discredit my seat at the table. I set the fire that got us out. I nearly killed someone. I’m the princess and eventual queen of this goddamn country. I earned my spot here.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m staying.” I look around. “I know you all think I’m naive?—”

“We don’t think you’re naive at all,” Jack says.

“Fine, then however much credit you give me, give me more.”

A quiet moment passes over the group as if considering whether they want to argue this. They don’t.

Wesley speaks up. “We need to offer him something he wants even more than who killed Santiago.”

“A blind eye,” I suggest. “We’re bound with the police and military, correct? They investigate everything regarding the Elias family, including me. What if we give him a get-out-of-jail-free card?”

He shakes his head. “That’s not enough.”

“If we emphasize how big of a charge kidnapping the princess is,” Mason says, leaning back in his seat with crossed arms.

Jack waves a hand. “He can argue he didn’t know at the time. It’ll get thrown out.”

“Kidnap is kidnap,” he stresses.

“Yes, but kidnapping a royal family member is the threatening charge, which can get thrown out. It’s not strong enough.”

“There’s no love or loyalty between Arlo and his brother,” Wesley pipes. “He didn’t necessarily believe my reputation and was ill-prepared. Now that the princess and I bested him and left a mess, he’ll be gunning for us out of pride.”

Silas presses his elbows onto the table. “But you said he left you alone on your way to the rendezvous. How much does this affect Her Majesty’s safety?”

I blink, realizing that Her Majesty is me.

“I think one of my old associates saw us underground and wanted in on the action,” Wesley says.

Old associate. We spoke to no one other than the homeless man, Adonis, and—Daria. I bite the inside of my cheek. I might respect her if she didn’t put Wesley and me in more danger.

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