Page 28 of Broken Crown

“With all due respect, ma’am…” My father steps forward, his posture stiff, expression even.“All the physical evidence uncovered in the aftermath of the attempt on your life points to Charles Thacker.”

“And the evidence is wrong.Just like it was when Adam died.This man killed Adam, too.”

“There’s nothing—”

“Shouldn’t we do a quick sweep?”I suggest.

Silence falls over the room, all eyes zeroing in on me, particularly from all the other guard members who must think I have a death wish for questioning my father’s authority.As the senior ranking member of the royal guard in attendance, this is his operation.He calls the shots.

And I just questioned them.

“I don’t see—”

“Would that set your mind at ease?”Esme’s father directs at her.“That way, we can solve this matter for once and for all?”

“It would.”She shifts her gaze toward mine.“Thank you.”

I give her a small smile.I may not know what to believe right now, but I know one thing for certain.I’ll always do everything I can to make Esme happy.

To make her feel safe.

“Major-General.”

My father snaps his gaze toward the king.

“Please do a sweep of the building, but be discreet.We don’t want to cause any unnecessary alarm.”

“Certainly, sir.”He bows, then turns his indignant expression toward me.“You’re with me.”

“Of course, sir.”

ChapterTen

Esme

“Why didn’t you tell me?”Anderson asks the second Creed, his father, and several other guard members leave to search for this mysterious man with a scar.

“Tell you what?”I meet his eyes as he sits on the divan beside me.

“That you’re still having those dreams?”he whispers.

“It’s not a big deal,” I respond in an attempt to downplay them.

“It obviously is, Esme.Especially if they’re affecting you like this.”He takes my hand in his.“You scared me out there.”

“I guess now we’re even.”I give him a knowing look, reminding him of the scare he gave me before he started more aggressive treatment for his MS.Thankfully, he hasn’t had another incident like that in a while.There are days he’s more tired than usual, but his body hasn’t given out or suffered from momentary vision loss.

“I guess so.”A small smile tugs on his lips before his expression falls.“But seriously, Ezzy.You should have told me.”

With a deep sigh, I sink back into the divan and take a sip of water.“I didn’t think it was a big deal.It’s just a dream.”

I look toward where my father’s having a quiet conversation with my grandmother.It’s obvious by her scowl that she thinks this entire situation is ridiculous.

She’s probably not alone.

The only one who doesn’t look at me like I’ve lost my mind is Jameson Gates.Instead, when his eyes find mine, there’s only sympathy and understanding within.

“But when I saw that man with the scar tonight,” I continue, leaning toward my brother and dropping my voice to a barely audible level, “I just… I don’t know what came over me.It felt like I was stuck in my nightmare.I couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t think.”

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