Page 4 of A True King

I smile at her and kiss her gently before adding, “It won’t. And if it does, I’ll come to you.”

She gives me a small smile at that last statement, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She is upset, and rightfully so.

“Things are…fine,” I state as I realize Marilyn is waiting on my response.

“Oh, good. I’m glad to hear that.” She looks down at her phone again and now I feel bad. I’ve worried her.

“Marilyn, the palace has your number. All our employees’ phones are…tracked. I will make sure they ping Mia’s and I’ll let you know when I hear from her if she doesn’t reply to you first,” I say, trying desperately to think of something that will ease her fears. It’s a white lie, but not a complete lie. Mia does have a phone that is tracked. That phone was also left on her nightstand. She’s essentially gone zero dark thirty on me. But that won’t be for long because I’m going to find her.

“Please do. I know she’s a grown woman and all, and, well, you know, she has a mind of her own. I’m sure she’s fine and just upset as you alluded to. Parents never stop worrying,” she explains with a tight smile.

She reaches over and grasps my hand in hers, squeezing it. It’s such a maternal thing to do, and it feels odd to me. I’ve almost forgotten what a mother’s touch feels like. I pat her hand with my other and stand to leave.

“I should get going. There’s so much to do back home,” I state because again, it’s not a lie.

“I’m sure there is. Do you have to collect any other employees or is Mia the last one?” she asks.

It takes a moment to realize that she thinks I’m going around to bring back each employee that we sent away.

I swallow. “Oh, there are a few others, but Mia’s the only one that works directly with me. I had to be in London this week, so I thought I’d stop by in person.” It’s a lie. This one isn’t even a white lie, yet Marilyn just nods and walks me to the door.

I turn and hand her a card. It’s my personal card, the one I rarely give out. “This line will get you through to me right away. Feel free to use it if you have any concerns about Mia, now, or ever. She’s an important part of our royal family.”

Marilyn’s smile is real this time. “She does love her job. She tells me that all the time.”

My returned smile is also real. “I’m glad she does. She’s made my life better, that’s for sure.” I open the door and turn back to her. “Take care, Marilyn.”

“You too, Your Highness,” she replies as I shut the door behind me.

Cain is leaning against the car door when I approach. He looks at me with curiosity. “Is Mia not coming back with us?”

I run a hand through my hair. “No. Because Mia isn’t here.”

Cain, who seldom ever shows what he’s thinking, looks at me with raised eyebrows. “She isn’t here?”

I shake my head and he opens the car door for me. Once he’s seated next to Vince, who’s driving, he turns back to look at me. “Are we worried?”

I take a deep breath. “We are…concerned. I’m calling Pete.” I pull out my phone and dial the head of royal security. I’m sure he has more pressing matters to attend to, but that’s all about to change. Until I find Mia, safe and sound, his entire world is going to be about locating her. And so, help her, if she’s hiding from me on purpose.

“Pete?” I say as he answers.

“Yes, Cub,” he replies, using my codename.

“She’s not here. I need you to locate her,” I state as I stare out at a nearby field filled with mustard flowers making it look like a yellow carpet. I wish I could see Mia running across it instead of a sheep.

“What do you mean, she’s not there?”

“I mean, I am here, and she is not. Find her,” I reply as I hang up. The next number is dialed on autopilot.

“Wow, I thought for sure you’d be having wild makeup sex,” my sister, Anna’s voice rings out on the other end of the line. I’m slightly shocked by her statement, although nothing my sister says should shock me any longer. This is the first time she’s verbally acknowledged that Mia and I have a relationship.

“Subtle. And she’s not here.”

There’s silence on the other line. Surely my little sister has a comeback for that.

“Hold on, I’m checking a few things,” she finally answers, her voice serious. Now I can hear the clickity-clack of her keyboard. Of course, she’s at her computer, my little princess sister, the world-renown hacker extraordinaire.

“It’s odd. Her phone is—”

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