Page 45 of A Valiant Prince

“I’m not sure your fathers would agree to that idea,” Jack says.

Anna smirks. “And that’s why we don’t tell them,” she says.

“Anna…I…” Jack stammers, clearly attempting to find the right words.

“Jack, I’ve been through every scenario, and this is the best option. My statistical skills are almost as good as my hacking skills,” she says to him. “It’d be better if our fathers were with us, but you’re right. They will not agree to this. But your job isn’t to protect us, it’s to find who’s threatening not one, but two royal families.”

“True,” Jack says. I can almost see him biting his tongue as she speaks.

“So, you know I’m right,” she states.

“Just because I know you’re right, doesn’t mean I want you to be right,” Jack admits.

“Anna, may I speak?” Pete interjects. Everyone turns to look at him.

“You may,” she says.

“God help me, but I agree with you,” he says. He looks over at Jack. “There’s only a handful of us that I trust with security, so I’d need backup.”

Jack nods. “I can provide that,” Jack says.

“When?” Anna asks.

“Give me twenty-four hours to pull everything together, including how we’ll be getting you and your brothers to this location without your fathers knowing and without anyone else knowing but with enough tracks behind you so that the one person that we don’t want knowing will find out,” Jack says. When he puts it like this, I’m momentarily struck with how intricate the plan will have to be.

Anna grins. “I can help you with my brothers…we have…well, there’s a way we can get them there,” she says.

Jack shakes his head. “Anna, no funny business. I know you three have ways of sneaking off without your staff, but it’s too dangerous,” he scolds.

“Jack, it’s the only way. I trust Mia, but everyone else, including most of their security, I’m still on the fence about,” she says. “Cain and Nico, I think are in the clear and can help us, but I still have digging to do on Auggie’s bodyguards, Patrick and Vince. Paolo, well, I’m not sure yet.”

“OK, so I’ll reach out to Cain and Nico, they will help Chris, Mia, and Auggie get to Jack’s place,” Pete says. “We don’t need your shenanigans, Anna. Jack is right, it’s dangerous.”

Anna sighs. “Fine, but only Cain and Nico,” she huffs.

“Agreed,” Pete says.

“Anything else I need to know about?” Jack asks.

Anna shakes her head. “Not yet. I may have some more info, but until I can figure it out, it’s useless,” Anna says to him.

“Hand me your phone,” Jack says to Anna. She passes her phone to him, and he gives her a pointed look.

“I mean, your ‘phone,’” he reiterates. With another sigh, Anna hops up and walks into the bedroom. A moment later, she walks back out and sets a phone down on the counter. Jack motions to her with his chin, and she punches some numbers into it and hands it to him.

“I’m programming a number into this phone. There are two ways to reach me. Either dial my contact number or hold down the seven key for seven seconds,” he says.

“I’ll be back in touch tomorrow,” he adds as he stands.

We walk him toward the door. He turns before opening it.

“Once I leave here, this plan goes into action,” he says to Anna.

“I know,” she says in a quiet voice.

“There’s no turning back,” he says to her.

“I know,” she says, slightly louder.

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