Page 19 of A True King

I raise an eyebrow because her omissions may as well have been a lie, regardless of whether her intentions were noble.

“Pack your bags. We leave tonight,” I command. I take out my phone and call Cain, who is waiting for me in the car. After I managed to sweet-talk the lovely couple that owns this guesthouse into thinking that I’m here to profess my undying love, they let me in to wait for Mia.

Cain knocks on the door, and I go to let him in before turning back to her. “Cain will wait with you. I have some calls to make. Be ready in thirty minutes.”

“But I paid for—”

“I will cover the cost, go!” I bark. She jumps a little and rushes into the adjacent bedroom.

Cain gives me a look that says he wants to know more, but I just shake my head. “I’ll explain more later. I need to call Anna.”

I walk outside and sit on a small bench overlooking the sea. Pressing call on my phone, I wait.

“Well?” Anna asks.

I roll my eyes. “You know I’m here. She’s here and…” I trail off as I figure out what to say.

“And? Jesus, this better be good.”

“I don’t think good is the right word.” I give her the story, and when I finish, Anna’s silent. Anna is never silent, so I take this as a bad sign.

“I need to talk with Jack. This concerns me. I…Don’t say anything to your security while I work this out.”

“Work what out?” I inquire.

“Just…don’t go home. Go to the Summer Palace, OK?”

I roll my eyes. I’d say this was pregnancy hormones, but if I spoke that out loud, Anna would reach over the airwaves and strangle me. And it’s also just Anna’s normal personality. God, poor Logan. A hormonal Anna is gonna be a holy terror.

A door shuts behind me and I turn to see Cain and Mia walking out of the guesthouse. Mia’s suitcase is behind her, and a backpack is slung over her shoulder.

“I have to go. I’ll call you when we land,” I say to my sister before disconnecting.

The car door is open as I approach. I let Cain know our change of plans and he pulls out his phone to make the arrangements. I take a seat next to Mia. She’s already buckled in and looking out at the window.

“Where are we going?”

“Home.”

She turns to me with raised eyebrows.

“No questions. You haven’t earned any answers yet.”

She says nothing as she returns to viewing the sea. The car starts up and takes us to the airport. I stare at her, wondering how my whole world could unravel in just a few moments. Can I still love her?

Chapter Nine

Mia

The jet is just as it was when it flew me home three weeks ago. The tan leather seats shine under the warm glow of the cabin lights. I adjust my seat belt and gaze out at the clouds. The world looks so peaceful from thirty thousand feet in the air. From the looks of it, we are over the Bahamas.

Christian hasn’t spoken to me since we left the guesthouse. In fact, he hasn’t spoken to anyone. His silence unnerves me.

I could have taken anger. I could have understood yelling. But the silent treatment is…unlike him, at least with me.

The flight attendant offers us beverages. She also sets out a charcuterie board before returning to the galley.

Christian takes a long sip of whiskey. He prefers it on the rocks with three ice cubes. My Moscow mule is in a metal mug. I swear Christian purchased one just for me for when I fly on this plane. Because what plane has a metal mug?

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