Rowan

As soon as the elevator doors close, I speak to my chief security guard. “Keep me informed where she goes.”

“Yes, your grace.” He steps to the side to make the call, and I go to the room where Ava is recovering.

My promise to Zelda had been easy to make. Her words confirmed everything Ava already told me our very first night together at the Paris Hotel. The only thing she left out was Zelda is her sister—although, she’d actually told me that, too. I understand now she was trying to tell me everything that night, but she couldn’t betray Zee.

Now it’s time for me to become her security. I’ve been ready to assume that role since the night I swore to avenge her past. Her beautiful eyes blink open, and protective warmth surges in my chest. I sit at her bedside, taking her hand in mine and lifting her knuckles to my lips.

“How are you feeling, my beautiful lady?”

Her voice cracks when she answers. “What happened?”

I hesitate, not wanting to frighten her. “I don’t have an easy way to say this… You were shot.”

I see her pulse quicken on the monitor. Her fear stokes my anger at the men who did this.

“But… Who? Why?” she says.

“Your sister thinks it was to keep her silent, to warn her against telling what she knows.”

Ava’s eyes widen, and she starts to pull away. “You know about Zee?”

My grip tightens on her hand. “Zelda told me the truth, and I promised her I’d protect you. My entire secret service is searching for Reginald Winchester. When we find him, he’ll wish he were dead.”

“Reggie did this?” Her brow wrinkles. “But… I don’t understand.”

“I don’t want you to worry,” I say, gently, but she struggles to sit straighter.

“Rowan—is Zee okay? Where is she?”

“She left with a man named Seth. She said you could explain. Who is he?”

“Seth?” Ava exhales the word, and her chin drops. I watch as she rubs her forehead. “She went with Seth? Willingly?”

“She said she owes him money.” Standing, I start to call my security team. “I can stop them if he’s dangerous—”

“No,” Ava shakes her head. “If she wanted to go with him, she must have a plan. I just… I can’t believe she left me behind.”

It’s not what I want to hear. Returning to her bedside, I take her hand again. “Ava, I want to take care of you. Zee asked me to protect you, and I was glad to say yes.”

Her pale cheeks blossom, but she’s still quiet, thinking. I’m about to tell her everything I want for us when a noise in the lobby interrupts me.

“Where are they?” Cal bursts into the room and pauses at the end of the bed. “Ava—are you okay? I came as soon as I could get away from those damn reporters.”

“I’m a little weak…” she begins.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” I say, explaining to her as well as to my brother what the doctor said. “The gunman was aiming for your chest. You were moving so fast, he missed by inches.”

Her eyes slide closed, and my jaw tightens. I lift her fingers to my lips. “My men are searching for the gunman now. He will pay for this.”

“Jesus,” Cal hisses, walking around the room. “For what it’s worth, Hampton De Clare called Mother,” he says quietly.

“The King of Totrington?” I glance up at his face.

“They’re searching for Wade Paxton. Supposedly, he’s a ‘person of interest.’”

“Is that so?” My voice is low, and I can’t hide my disbelief. “Hampton has been silently funding Wade’s efforts since before Father died. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew what that dog was doing.”

“And now the dog is off the leash.” Cal looks around. “Where’s Zelda?”

My lips tighten. “She left.”

“Left?” His eyes flash at me. “What the hell does that mean?”

“She said she was afraid to stay. She said the reason they shot Ava was to keep her from talking.”

“And you let her go?” He’s out the door, and I give Ava’s hand a squeeze.

“I’ll be right back.” I’m two steps behind my brother. “I have a man watching her…”

I wait as he speaks to one of the guards. “I’m taking two of your men,” he says, typing quickly on his phone. “Freddie and Logan. I’ll have them meet me at the airport with my gear.”

“You’re going after her?”

“Fucking right I am. Where is she headed?”

“Miami,” a soft voice behind us says.

I turn to see Ava is out of her bed, trying to follow us. She’s holding the monitor with one hand and the back of her hospital gown with the other. One more step, and her face pales. Her legs give out, and I’m across the room in a flash, catching her in my arms.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” I soothe, carrying her to the room with Cal’s help.

Once she’s settled, my brother touches her arm gently. “Ava? Did you mean to say Texas?”

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “Seth would go to Miami first.”

I see the confusion on Cal’s face, and I realize he’s still in the dark. “I can explain—”

“Save it for the plane.” He’s already at the door.

“Cal!” Ava sits forward, reaching out to him. He pauses and returns to take her hand. I see her swallow back tears. “Don’t let anything happen to her.”

The muscle in his jaw moves, and his hazel eyes burn with determination. “I promise you. I won’t come back without her.”

I step to the door to watch him leave.

“Email me everything you know,” he says before stepping into the elevator. “Fill me in on what I’ve missed.”

“I will. Be careful, brother.”

The doors close, and I return to Ava. Sitting beside her on the bed, she rests her dark head against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her body to mine.

Dropping my chin, I kiss the top of her head, speaking in a low voice. “When he returns with your sister, I will make you my queen.”

Her body tenses, and she looks up at me. “What?”

I smile down at her. “Your ring is at Occitan. I had hoped to propose to you tonight by the ocean, but I’m afraid to wait any longer. I don’t know what might happen next.”

“But… Are you saying—?”

“Will you marry me, Ava Wilder?”

She blinks several times, and a little laugh erupts from her chest. “You want to marry me? … Me?”

“If you would you consider being my wife, you would make me very happy.”

“Consider it!” She grasps my arms in both hands. “Consider it? I’ve dreamed of it ever since I met you. I couldn’t bear thinking of Zee with you. Thank goodness Cal—”

“Is that a yes?” I lower my head to kiss her cheek, which immediately moves in a rapid nod.

“Yes!” Despite her pallor, her face seems to glow. “Yes, yes, yes!”

My heart swells, and I cup her cheeks with my hands. Looking deep into her eyes, I say the words I’ve been thinking for so long. “I love you, Ava. I want to make you mine.”

“I’m already yours,” she whispers, eyes shining. “I’ve been yours since that first night.”

Our mouths collide, and I push her lips apart so our tongues can slide together. She presses forward, and I hold her close, sliding my palms down her soft hair to her lower back. I want to pull her onto my lap and make love to her beautiful soul.

Breaking apart, I speak in her ear. “The doctor said you should recover quickly.”

“It’s already taking too long,” she purrs, and I almost groan.

Another kiss, our lips chasing each other’s in hungry motions until I lift my head. Her forehead rests against my neck, and her fingers lightly touch my collar as I hold her, loving how she feels in my arms.

As complete as I feel in this moment, worry tightens my stomach. If Zelda is right, the chain of events set in motion today is vast and deadly. I’m furious these political players tried to hurt my Ava. I will make them suffer for their crimes, but I can’t forget their target is me.

Cal is on his way to the airport. He’s taking two of my best guards with him. As former military, the three of them have both the weapons and the training to bring her safely home.

Zelda Wilder might think she’s on her own, but we’ll find her. We’ll find the people who did this, and I will personally oversee their punishment.

Then we’ll have a week of celebration, culminating in a royal wedding.

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