Page 80 of The Last Strike

King Khalil’s palace remained empty, and there had been many discussions on what to do with it. Neither Asher nor Luang wanted to keep it as an official residence, but Asher insisted it should not be destroyed but rather serve as a reminder of what they should never return to. Abi thought it would most likely become a museum.

“Copy,” Reed said from the front passenger seat.

Abi looked to him, but he was sitting comfortably, his shoulders relaxed, his weapon resting in his hand. Sometimes she wondered what they said in those earpieces. On a day like today, she knew it was all business; but when they were doing basic surveillance, she wondered if they gossiped like women in a sewing circle.

Abi closed her eyes, amazed by how tired she had been lately. She was sleeping well and eating better than she ever had—that was one major perk of royalty, never having to cook again—but every day felt like a war to keep her eyes open.

She stifled a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand, and let the gentle movement of the armored car lull her to sleep.

* * *

“Abi,”Reed said, and she slowly opened her eyes. It took a moment for them to focus.

“Mm,” she mumbled.

“We’re a few minutes away. A red carpet has been laid. I thought you might like to open your eyes before we pull up,” he said with a cheeky grin.

Abi chuckled, rubbing her eyes. “Much appreciated, Reed, thank you. I do not need pictures of me sleeping in the car on my way to events.”

Reed grinned. “With your mouth open.”

Abi eye’s bulged. “You’re a liar. I do not sleep with my mouth open.”

She liked having him around. He felt more like a friend than staff, and that made it a little less intrusive on their personal lives.

Reed chuckled, his eyes darting around. He was always alert and Abi appreciated that was a delicate skill. “I was joking,” he said, followed by, “Copy.” He looked to Abi. “ETA, two minutes.”

Abi nodded. She took a calming breath, ran her hands over her hair and down her dress, hoping it hadn’t wrinkled.

Her hands began to tingle. She pushed the nerves down but they sprung up like wild weeds when she saw the large crowd lining the streets already—a crowd that would only intensify as they neared the destination. Abi had expected a large number to attend, but she hadn’t seen anything like this since Asher’s first speech on the balcony.

She had spent so much of her life needing to be invisible for her work with IFRT, and now she had to flip that and become very visible, which made her incredibly nervous. She was not fully prepared for this, but she didn’t have to do it alone.

The car came to a stop and Abi saw Asher and Luang at the end of the red carpet. Jesse leaned in, speaking to Asher.

Asher turned to face the car and a beautiful smile lit up his face.

Reed opened Abi’s door and held out his hand. She took it, praying she didn’t trip on her dress and fall flat on her face.

A wave of cheers echoed like music as Asher held out his hand for her. Abi smiled as she looked into his eyes, keeping them on him instead of the crowd until she was sure her legs weren’t going to give out beneath her.

“You look amazing,” he said as he put a hand on her lower back, guiding her forward.

Abi shook Luang’s hand. “It gets easier,” he said. “I remember my late wife’s first appearance; she almost fainted.”

Abi grinned, nodding. “That sounds about right.”

Luang chuckled. “You’ll be just fine,” he said, bowing ever so slightly.

Asher took her hand, threading his fingers through hers.

He looked into her eyes. “Walk and wave,” he said under his breath.

Abi looked over the crowd, raised her hand, and let herself take it all in as they walked side by side through the cheering crowd.

She looked into the eyes of the people they would serve and silently promised them that their lives would be better.

Asher raised his hand high and waved, causing the crowd to scream and roar.

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