Page 39 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

He blew out a breath as his eyes fell to the half-full glass of bourbon. The pressure made him want to dull the intense emotions coursing through him with a drink.

He crossed to the tumbler, his fingers lingering on the cool glass as he stared down at the amber liquid. His own distorted reflection stared back. Memories of the damage he’d done when he’d been drinking before taunted him.

With a sharp inhale, he yanked his hand away, pushing his thoughts to Elena. He didn’t need alcohol to numb his pain. He had the support system he needed now.

He strode from the room, leaving the drink behind and climbed the stairs, hoping to find his mother. A conversation about what happened when she visited Chloe may set his mind at ease.

Before he reached the first landing, a knock sounded at the door.

A shiver snaked down his spine, and he froze, twisting to view the door as a maid hurried to answer it.

“Nate? What’s going on?” Maddie asked as she bounced down the stairs toward him.

He didn’t answer as the woman stepped back to allow two plainclothes police officers into the foyer. The manscrolled through something on his phone as the woman let her gaze scan the room.

“Uh, I’ll take care of this,” Nate said as he hurried down the stairs toward the maid who offered to set them up in the living room and find his father.

The woman nodded before she scurried into a back hall.

“Hi, I’m Nate Kingsley. Can I help you?”

The female officer stuck her hand out. “I’m Detective Nelson, this is my partner, Detective Horner. We’re investigating Chloe Danvers-Kingsley’s death.”

Nate set his hands on his hips, his heart tapping a frenetic beat against his ribs. “Right. Terrible shame.”

The woman arched an eyebrow. “Is it? It’s my understanding you and she did not get along.”

Nate shifted his weight from foot to foot. “We, uh, had our differences. We were a couple but broke up.”

“She slept with your brother, right?”

Nate tried to stop himself from grimacing. “Yes, she did.”

“And did that make you angry?”

“I’m not…angry about it, no. I have moved on.”

“Oh, great for you. Well, we’re not actually here to dredge up your past with Chloe. We’re here to speak with someone else. Is Victoria home?”

“My mom?” Maddie asked as she descended the stairs, her features twisted with confusion.

“Maddie, I’ll handle this.” Nate held up a hand to stop her.

“Have you seen your mom today?” the woman asked Maddie.

“Whoa,” Nate said, stepping between them. “Why don’t you have a seat in the living room, and I’ll–”

“Why would you be looking for my mom?” Maddie asked.

“Maddie, please.”

Before Nate could send the detectives into another room and prepare the family, Victoria appeared on the landing. “It’s okay, Nate and Maddie. I’m here. I think it’s me you’re looking for.”

“Victoria Kingsley?” Detective Nelson asked.

Victoria nodded as she descended the stairs, her features stoic. “Yes.”

“We’re going to need you to come down to the station with us to answer some questions.”

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