Page 36 of Guarding the Princess
“Time to get resourceful.”
The laptop I hardly ever use comes in handy next when I open up the file with all my contacts, phone numbers, credit card numbers, and financial information. One by one, I call my credit card companies and have them overnight me a new card. I have plans to fly back to Regora soon and I’ll need those credit cards to help me get there. No more private jets for me.
The thing is, I can barely catch my breath and I’m just sitting here. I’m not prone to panic attacks or letting my emotions run away from me, but I can’t help but think I’ve let down the woman I love. She’s in danger and probably thinks I left her. My lungs are burning from all the heavy breathing. I have to get back to her and I need help to get there. Asking for help is against my nature, but for Charlotte, I’ll put my pride to the side.
I dial a number I haven’t called in several years and squeeze my eyes shut. He has to pick up.
“Hello?”
“Lance? This is Ryker. I need a favor, man.”
* * *
“Hello?”
“What’s going on, brother?”
“Ryker?” My brother’s voice sounds confused, but then again, I’m on an unidentified burner phone, so I don’t blame him.
“Yeah, it’s me. I’m on a different phone. What on earth is going on?”
“Wait. Where are you?”
I run a hand through my hair and clench my jaw to keep from pulling my hair out by the root. Nothing is happening as fast as I need it to. I’ve barely slept and I really don’t have time for this conversation, but I can’t get my old police force contacts to work any faster to get me back to Regora. All I can do now is wait, which means I have time to call my family and find out what happened to my brother.
“I’m in Los Angeles, thanks to someone removing me from the country forcefully. But I’m hopefully going back to Regora by tomorrow.”
“Why are you going back? I thought you were only supposed to be there a few days. And what do you mean ‘forcefully’?”
I sigh into the phone. Even my skin hurts from fatigue and worry. “It’s a long story. Suffice it to say I need to get back as soon as possible. Charlotte’s in danger.”
“She’s a princess, right? Shouldn’t she have her own security detail in her home country?”
“Yes, I’m sure her mother is setting that up for her right now, but I think it’s her own family I need to protect her from.”
“Wow, that’s some next level crazy. Doesn’t sound like you’re going to be welcomed back by mommy.”
I snort. “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’ve called in favors with a couple of my buddies in the police department. They got me a new ID and a flight back to Regora but screened my name so none of the flight reports will have my name down as a passenger. It won’t hold up long if someone’s really looking, so as soon as I get there, I need to get a hold of Charlotte and warn her.”
“Dude, be careful.”
“Enough about me. What’s going on with you? What’s with the allegations?”
Now it’s Max’s turn to sigh. “I have no idea what was leaked or why or where it came from. I was never even in that club the night that girl said I bought her drinks and took her home with me. My lawyers have taken care of it and there should be a retraction printed tomorrow. Damage is done though. People believe everything they read.”
A weird sensation crawls up my neck. “Do you think—? Could your issue be part of my issue?”
“What do you mean?” God bless my brother. He’s one incredible athlete with a heart of gold and a sense of humor to light up any room, but he’s not the brightest Duke in the Dukedom.
“What I’m saying is maybe the tip-off to the press about you was just a fabrication to tarnish our family name and get me out of the palace.”
Silence.
“Duuuude.”
I chuckle, the laugh surprising me with how anxious I’ve been for almost forty-eight hours. “Yeah, ‘dude’ is right.”
* * *
