Page 41 of Take My Throne

Chapter Fifteen

As I walk through the door at home, Isabella comes out to meet me.

“You took your time, Ivy.” She frowns disapprovingly.

“As I told Lucas, I went to see my best friend,” I say. “I’m sorry that we lost track between girly giggles and gossip.”

“Solomon’s home,” Isabella says. “And he’s waiting for you. I suggest you go straight to his study and don’t keep him waiting any longer.”

“Yes, sir.” I salute sarcastically and head in to see my father.

I knock on the door and wait for the command to enter. Nothing. I knock again. Still no reply. I knock one last time and am about to give up and go to my suite when the door suddenly swings open, the guard on the other side finally letting me in.

“Why so impatient, Ivy?” My father glares at me. “You know full well that I don’t take kindly to people attempting to beat down my door. Knock once and wait for me to be ready to see you.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I just missed you so much, I couldn’t wait to see you again.”

I know I’m lying. He knows I was lying. But the appearance of loyalty seems to mollify him a little, and he motions to me to take a seat at his desk opposite him.

“How was your trip?” I ask.

“It could have been better,” my father replies, “but I got the business done I went out to do, which is all that matters.”

“I guess you’ll miss having all those trips to Italy,” I say. “I’ve heard it’s a beautiful country.”

“It is,” my father agrees. “And no doubt one day your husband will take you to see it. But why do you say I’ll miss my trips to Italy?”

My heart sinks as I realise I’d put my foot in it. “Oh, just that if you’re selling the plane, it’s going to be difficult for you to keep going out there. Unless you’re selling it to get an upgrade? It can’t be that your business is in trouble. I know how good you are at what you do.”

I am babbling, trying to cover my nerves, but it is no use. My father can see straight through me.

“Selling my plane? Interesting. How did you find out about that?”

“I can’t quite remember. You must have told me,” I say. “Either that or I overheard you and Isabella talking about it. I definitely got it from you.”

“Is that right?” My father arches an eyebrow, motioning to the guard standing by the door. “Gary, go fetch Dave for me.”

“Yes, sir.” Gary nods curtly, turns and leaves the room.

“What’s happening? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no, Ivy.” My father smiles, making a calm down gesture at me. “You haven’t done anything wrong. In fact, you’ve behaved exactly as I’d hoped you would. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

This doesn’t sound good.

A couple of minutes later Gary comes back in accompanied by Dave, one of my favourite guards. Whereas most of the guards would barely even look at me, Dave was always happy to say hello and tell me stories about his wife and two little girls.

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Yes, Dave. We have something important to discuss.”

“Do you need me to do something for you?”

“Not anymore. You’ve already done it.”

I frown and Dave looks a little worried as my father stands up and slowly walks round his desk to lean against it, facing Dave.

“You see, I have long suspected that I have a leak in my security,” my father says. “But that can’t be possible, can it? After all, my guards are all loyal to me. None of you would betray me, would you?”

---