Page 18 of A True King

“Why would you not go to our security?”

“Because he told me it wouldn’t matter because he knew people and he would find out.”

“You mean Victor? Did he know Victor?” he states, referring to the former head of security who was outed after an assassination attempt on the family.

I shake my head. “No. He said there were several people at the palace, and they would know.”

Christian frowns.

“I did as I was told. I…couldn’t lose you,” I say softly, wanting so badly to reach out and touch him, but being too chickenshit to try.

“And so, you’ve been feeding this guy my schedule for the last few years?”

I nod. “And that was it. That was all that happened…until…everything fell apart with The 44 coming after you…” I trail off again as I get to the heart of why I left.

Only three weeks ago, I was sent away from him. And I had gone home, thinking I’d return soon, until the man found me, once again.

“Why did you leave now?” he asks.

“I had only been home a day or so when that man found me at a shop in town. This time was different. He knew things about The 44. He said there were more of them. And he said this time if I didn’t cooperate, he would kill all of you while I watched and then blame me for it. He wanted more from me, he wanted me to record things, plant bugs for them. He said I had no choice.” I pause, trying to calm myself. “He…had a gun. He was different this time. Colder, more desperate. I was afraid. I left Dad a note, warning him to be careful. And I left. My neighbor had mentioned this place before and I knew they hadn’t come, so I took a boat to France and then a flight with my fake passport to the Bahamas and then another boat to here.”

“Jesus, Mia.”

I stand and walk to the sliding door, staring out at the calm sea. It doesn’t make me feel any better. There’s no way Christian can love me again after what I just admitted. I feel like my heart has been crushed into a million tiny pieces. My body aches from the guilt that’s been eating at me for days, weeks, months.

“I’m sorry,” I say. I look at my reflection in the glass and am startled to find Christian standing right behind me.

I turn and he cages me against the glass.

“What should I do with you?” he asks, more to himself than me. I swallow again as fear builds in my chest. The fear isn’t just for me though, now that he knows, the fear is also for him.

Chapter Eight

Christian

Confusion clouds my thoughts as I stare down at Mia. In one way, she’s confirmed my worst fears, she’s a traitor, a liar, an enemy of the crown. But then, she’s done it all to protect me and the ones she loves. Why wouldn’t she have told me? After all this time, it’s been nearly four years. She could have divulged this a million different times, but she didn’t.

I’m angry but I’m also relieved that she’s alright. I still have feelings for her. Hell, if I’m being honest with myself, I still love her.

“I…” She trails off as we stare at each other, our breaths hitching. Her pupils dilate.

“I should want to punish you. I’m so angry,” I growl, sounding like a human version of a lion, ironic, considering my nickname.

She swallows again and I watch her throat constrict.

“I love you, Chris…” She trails off as my nostrils flare and I slam a hand against the glass sliding door, making it rattle. She cringes. Would she think that I would hurt her? Her reaction spurs a protective instinct in me which battles with my anger and wins.

I slowly move my hands to her shoulders. Her muscles tense.

“I’m not going to hurt you, pigeon,” I say softly, using a nickname I gave her after a particularly interesting day in Trafalgar Square that ended up with me needing to purchase a new shirt.

At the sound of her nickname, her muscles release, and her shoulders sag. Tears well in her eyes. “Please forgive me. I’m begging you,” she pleads. I can smell her orange blossom shampoo and the familiar fragrance wars with my sensibility.

With a long sigh, I step back from her. I need distance. This closeness makes me want to pull her into my arms and kiss her, and right now, I’m not even sure that I can trust her.

“You’re coming back with me to Norddale.Ifyour story checks out, then we will need to talk with some folks.”

She doesn’t look away from me as she speaks. “I’m not lying. I’ve never lied to you. I just…haven’t told you those things before, but I have never lied.”

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