Page 61 of The Heart of the King

The arm sliding around her shoulders surprised her. When she looked Gabe was standing next to her.

“They’re going to be all right,” he assured her. “I know they will.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything.

Randall’s head popped up as he listened to something in his ear. “All clear,” he said as Justin nodded. “Back to the salon, please.”

Jazz didn’t know if there was some invisible pecking order she was supposed to follow, but she went up the stairs first since she was closest. Why hadn’t she kicked her shoes off at some point? Or insisted on wearing Chucks again. That would have been a better option. Maybe she could use this situation to bolster her claim that there was a Chuck for every occasion.

Once in the salon, she pulled her phone out to text her mom, telling her that while prayers were still appreciated, it appeared the worst was over.

She likely wouldn’t ever be able to tell them what really happened, but her mother would understand that. So would her dad, especially now that they’d presume Jazz had access to classified materials, even if she really didn’t much.

“If all of you would please take a seat,” Justin requested, though Jazz didn’t think it was really a request at all.

She let everyone else sit down before she did. The only available chairs left were a bit away from everyone else.

Justin stood with his feet shoulder-width apart. He glanced at Sofia before starting. “You’re all aware of the basics of the situation. The threat has been neutralized.”

“Where are David and Hazel?” The question came from Gabe, who likely wanted to make sure his siblings were all right.

“Right here.”

They all turned to see a disheveled David carrying an equally rumpled Zellie in his arms. She wore his tuxedo jacket and had her arms wrapped around his neck.

Maybe that was the good thing that would come out of this.

Maybe Hazel would believe that he was one of the good guys after all.

Jazz prayed that was true. If so, all of the stress of the last hour or so would be worth it.

She hung back as the others greeted them. Hazel refused to let go of David.

Jazz slumped in her seat as the words to a prayer of gratefulness and thanksgiving finally formed.

They were going to be all right.

As much asDavid loved that Hazel now clung to him, he wanted to put her down and go to Jasmine. As the others gathered around him, she remained slumped in a chair, her eyes closed.

After a few minutes of everyone talking over each other, Daniel informed them that the four monarchs would be meeting in the conference room in five minutes.

David managed to sit Hazel down on a chair and look straight in her eyes. “I have to go to a meeting. Jasmine will stay with you, all right?”

She nodded.

“Gabe will be here, too. And the security team members. Nothing will happen to you.” He brushed her hair back again. “I promise.”

Another nod.

Gabe came and took his spot as David walked to where Jasmine sat. She stood and wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his shoulder.

“We’re all right,” he whispered. “Everything’s all right.”

“What if there’s another one?” she asked. “What if that wasn’t the only one?”

“They’re searching now.” He held her tightly. “We’re all right, love. Hazel is shaken but all right.”

“I know. I’m so glad.”

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