Page 2 of The Spy

“Wanna go at it?” He bounced on his toes, throwing mock-punches at Trane.

“Right now?” Trane’s eyebrow rose and then his smile grew until it filled his face. “If you think you can take me.”

“That comment doesn’t even deserve a response.”

“You’re not as good as you think, old man.”

“Says the older married guy.”

They picked up their pace and turned towards the gym. Pulling on boxing gloves and a helmet, Lucan rotated his arms and neck, stretching out unused muscles.

His grin turned sheepish. “Truthfully, I’ve got to warm up first or you’ll cream me.” Trane fastened his helmet. “Even more than usual.”

Lucan rotated his shoulders. Seeing Sammy always unnerved him and filled him with energy he never knew what to do with. All his brothers were married, or soon to be, and they had less time to work out, or take guy trips, or mountain bike back behind the palace than they used to. They needed another vacation like their ski trip to Austria when Tripp met J.C.

Lucan bounced around in the ring, swinging his fists, trying to shake his extra itch.

Trane entered in with him, and Lucan concentrated his energy, allowing his muscle memory to take over. After a few minutes, Nico showed up.

“Ooh, it’s his majesty.” Trane mock bowed and got hit in the side of the face.

“You deserved that.” Nico called over to him. “What’s the occasion?”

“Lucan wanted to work out.”

Nico rested his arms on the edge of the ring. “Was he scrolling throughsurveillance?”

“What do you know about that?” Lucan was stunned at what Nico might think he knew. He stopped and turned to his brother, blocking a few of Trane’s punches without looking.

“Nothing. Don’t get so suspicious. You’re always tense after.” Nico’s face looked innocent enough but there was an intensity in his eyes that made Lucan suspicious.

“Why?” Trane stopped. “What’s there to know about you scrolling through surveillance pictures?”

“Nothing.” Lucan swung at him, and Trane refocused.

Nico spent the remaining time hitting the punching bags.

When they finished, he tossed towels to each of them. “So, I’ve got some news.” He paused until both brothers were looking at him. “The Queen of Spain has just been diagnosed with cancer, advanced stage.”

Lucan faltered in his steps. “Are they expecting a tough battle?”

“They aren’t certain what more can be done. The family is reeling from the shock of it all, and they are talking about sending her home from the hospital on hospice to enjoy her remaining time with the family.”

The lump in Lucan’s throat came suddenly, and his vision blurred. His hands itched to find his phone and send a long-overdue text. “Will we attend the funeral?”

“Jo and I will go.” Nico stopped and turned to Lucan. “Will you?”

He let out his breath of air slowly. “I don’t know.”

“What?” Trane slugged him in the shoulder. “How could you not?”

“It’s complicated.” More than they knew. He would go. Of course he would go. But the security would have to be tight. And his emotions even tighter. And he wondered if the princess knew her mother was suffering. As of two hours ago, she was entering Egypt, dressed as an Egyptian.

Chapter 2

Sammy pushed her way through the smells, the bodies, the nasally sounds of a symphony of languages in Cairo to catch a ride back to the airport. Mission aborted, she rushed to catch the first plane home.

Memories of her mother from childhood flooded her mind, almost blocking out her surroundings. She blinked them away.Focus. She had to stay focused until she returned home. But one thought kept returning, trying to calm her racing heart: the feel of her mother’s brush as it combed through Sammy’s hair. Her mellow, warm voice, “You have the most beautiful hair, my Anna. See how it shines.” Her twinkling eyes had given Sammy all the love and security she had ever needed as a child. And she prayed to be home in time to see them once more.

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