I knew I was probably making a huge mistake calling Blake Security. But I couldn’t do this all myself, and Weller had been helpful and discreet when he assisted looked into my mother. But to call him asking for the kind of favor I needed, especially now that they were probably looking for me on Sebastian’s orders, well it seemed stupid.

That’s because it is stupid. But my usual avenues were closed to me. The PIs around the world who I’d worked with before were my contacts because of Tony, so asking them for help was out of the question. I needed people I could trust. People who would help me finally get closer to the truth. Who was I? Since my mother had dropped that bombshell, the question had never been far from my mind. Even while planning my takedown of Tony, the question nagged at me. And the deeper I dug into that mystery, the more convoluted things got.

I still had my own funds, so I planned to hire Weller separately from Blake Security. If he even did that sort of thing. This shit is going to backfire. It would. But maybe I’d be able to get answers first.

I knew the deal. I used an untraceable cell, pinging through several relays. One of my former tech contacts was still on my side, at least for the time being. So, I’d met him in a neutral location and gotten what I needed then high-tailed it the hell out of there. But it had meant going back to LA, which was fine. I’d ventured back down to Baja to lay low. Tony had a lot of friends there, but no one would be expecting me to come back after the way I walked. So for the time being, it was safe.

I pushed away from the window of my hotel. I was definitely putting my old skills to good use. A part of me was glad I hadn’t completely walked away from my old life. Always have an exit strategy. I could just imagine the look on Roone’s face when he found the grappling hook. Or had Marcus found it? He’d probably been pissed beyond belief but also respected my hustle. As soon as Sebastian had placed me in the ivory tower, I’d planned for my eventual departure.

Like an asshole.

My view below was of the water. Not too long ago, I would have been staying away from the windows in a hotel room. But I wasn’t that Lucas anymore. Hell, I didn’t know which Lucas I was. All I knew was that I refused to hide anymore. The only way to make any of this go away, to stop any of this from happening ever again, was to go on the offensive. Full-on attack.

I flipped open the burner phone and dialed the number I knew by heart now. I just hoped that they didn’t say no.

The phone rang. Rang again.

“Yep.” That was all. Even Matthias’s British accent was toned down, as if he gave nothing of himself away before he knew who the hell was calling him directly.

“Weller, it’s Lucas.”

A beat of silence. “I wondered when you’d call.”

“Was it inevitable that I would?”

I could almost picture the guy shrugging, his face impassive, giving nothing away. “You left in a bit of a hurry. I knew there were answers you still wanted. Given the way things went down with daddy dearest and that he didn’t fall into our net, I figured you’d need some help getting out of trouble.”

Was I really so predictable? “No, actually. I don’t want help getting out of trouble. I want to get deeper in. And I need help getting there.”

“What do you need?”

If he was asking me what I needed, it meant he didn’t know. He didn’t know that I wasn’t a royal yet. I was surprised they didn’t have my place bugged. Blake Security knew everything. I’d thought Sebastian would know by now. Hell, I thought Bryna knew. That everyone knew.

You’re a fraud. For the first time through no fault of my own. But con men were always frauds.

“Are you sure going on the offensive is a good move? Especially if you don’t have protection?”

“I don’t need protection. And I know you’re trying to keep me on, so let’s stop playing games. What I need is for you to locate Pietro Luca. I don’t have much to go on, except that twenty-three years ago, he was my mother’s boyfriend in Italy. That’s all I’ve got.”

“Wow, that’s some needle, mate. And that’s one hell of a hay stack.”

“Something tells me you’re up for the challenge.” Without waiting, I hung up. Then I disabled the SIM. I’d call him again in a couple of days because by then, he would have answers. He was just that good. I wasn’t giving them any way to track me. Besides, I knew I would be leaving soon. I’d already been there too long.

I needed answers. And Matthias Weller was my best shot at getting them.

Before turning the key in the lock, I forced myself to take a deep breath. And then another one when I didn’t immediately feel better.

Living with Jinx was awesome. It really was. Yeah, you keep telling yourself you feel awesome.

Being back home in the Winston Isles was miles better than being in a strange city without Lucas.

Three months since I’d seen him. Three months since I’d fallen in love with him. Three months since he’d said he loved me then walked away.

Yeah, being home was better. And my bestie was the only family I had. At least the only family I wanted to acknowledge or who was worth talking to.

The thing was Jinx was cheery by nature. And considering I felt anything but cheery, even after the three months, I always had to prep myself to go home. To put on the brave face because I didn't want her to worry. The pretending was crushing me from the inside out.

But she was my friend. My best friend. And sometimes it felt like she was the only person I had in my corner. After all, what was I going to do, call my parents? Nope, I was right where I belonged. Mornings were a little easier. She was usually up early for classes at the Marine Biology Institute down at the beach. But as she was doing a research fellowship for her masters program, I couldn’t always count on that.

I turned the knob with a smile plastered on my face and called out, “Hey, I’m back.”

I stopped short in the doorway, my stomach dropping when I saw who sat in our living room.

When my brain came back online, I forced my knees to bend in a shallow curtsy. “Your Majesties.”

Shit. Was something wrong with Lucas? Was he hurt? Worse?

No, you don’t care, remember?

Right after he left, I’d done the stages of grief thing, starting with denial. I’d spent two weeks searching for his face in the crowded streets of New York City. He’d kept his word and found me a great apartment. Rent controlled, way under my budget. As promised, Marcus and Roone had gotten me settled the day after he left me.

The first few weeks after he’d left had been the worst. But I’d survived my internship. I didn’t really have any other choice. It was survive or die from a broken heart.

My internship was originally supposed to only last two quarters, so roughly six months. But I’d done such a great job with artist research and recruitment that they’d given me a promotion, which meant I’d come home to work with the Regional Vice President of Artist Recruitment, handling Miami, the southern part of the States and the Caribbean. It also meant I was kept too busy to think… mostly.

I could have gone anywhere in the world, but I’d come home. I didn’t have anyone else I’d call family besides Jinx, and when the chips were down, it was where I’d needed to be.

I didn’t dare raise my gaze. I knew what I’d see on their faces in startling clarity. Confusion. Hurt. Worry. Those were emotions I swam in daily and carried around me like a blanket soaked in sadness.

King Sebastian stood, and I kept my gaze averted. Were you supposed to look royals directly in the eye? I had no fucking clue. Sure, I’d been at several balls, and I’d met him in passing more than once, but this was different. He was in my living room with his wife. And my roommate, who sat across from them, was cheesing like an idiot.

My mind raced with all the rules I’d been taught as a child. The primary was do not speak unless spoken to. But I couldn’t help it. I was compelled to let the words trip out of my mouth. “Is he okay?” My voice was barely above a squeak.

“I’m sorry to have alarmed you, Lady Tressel. As far as we know, yes.”

I forced myself to look up at him, the instant tension receding and making my shoulders sag. “Oh.” I licked my lips. “Call me Bryna, please. The title belongs to the family, and I’m pretty sure I’m not welcome in my family at the moment.” Fuck. Stop talking. Stop talking now. The king didn’t give a shit about family drama.

“I hope you will excuse the intrusion, but we needed to see you.”

I darted my gaze to his wife, Penny, who was standing now. She was about my height, with tawny skin, and her curls were pulled back into a bun, although several escaped and framed her face. She looked… normal. Pretty. Cute, with wide, intelligent eyes. Her lips looked like she was quick with a smile.

I finally found my manners. “I’m sorry, Your Majesties, but what can I do for you?”

Penny came forward then. It was only when she moved that I noticed the other bodies in our less-than-expansive living room. Damn. The Royal Guard were quiet and stiller than cockroaches in daylight. Had Penny not moved, I wouldn’t have seen them.

“Sebastian, let the poor girl come inside her house, would you?”

He frowned, as if confused, and then backed away. “Of course. Sorry.”

I shook my head. My gaze darting to Jinx who still sat there like the cat who swallowed the canary. “It’s fine.” I placed my bag and the bag of groceries I’d stopped and picked up on the table.

“I’ll put these away.” Jinx, the traitor, grabbed the bag and scurried into the kitchen where she could hide in safety and eavesdrop, leaving me to deal with royalty.

“Um, why don’t you have a seat, again, I guess? What is it that I can help you with?”

They sat. The guards remained standing, looking quietly imposing. If I made a sudden move toward the king, I was pretty sure they’d move faster than Usain Bolt.

Sebastian leaned forward. His brow furrowed as if he struggled with what to say. “This has been such a clusterfuck. I’m sorry if it came as a shock.”

My eyes went wide. Queen Penny rolled her eyes. From the kitchen, I heard Jinx snort a laugh. Shock was an understatement. I’d accidentally fallen in love with a prince. Little did I know, the prince I fell for was also a grifter and a con man, and boy did I ever feel conned.

“Did he say anything before he left? I know you were questioned already, but anything you could remember might help us pinpoint his location.”

Roone and Marcus had grilled me about when I’d last seen Lucas, and what had happened that possibly set him off. They had seemed just as despondent as I was. At the time, it had seemed like they thought I might have had something to do with his disappearance. Roone had looked like he was measuring me for a cell. But Marcus had been cool, controlled, and made him see sense. It seemed Roone was more than just his guard and that they might have actually been friends.

The king seemed just as distraught as I had been… before the numbness set in. His hands and features were set in a grim line. Lips thin, brows dropped forward. That jaw, so much like Lucas’s. Hard. Unyielding. Except for when his gaze landed on Queen Penelope. And then I could see the softening at the edges. Not a smile, obviously, but a hint of relaxation.

What must it be like to be part of this family? To have someone so worried they wanted to tear apart the earth looking for you? I guessed I’d never know.

“I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to say here. I told his guards everything.” I wasn’t going to disclose that he’d make love to me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world then left me like a literal thief in the night with my heart as his booty.

The king sighed. “I understand. We are intruding in your life, and for that we are sorry. But is there anything else you could give us that would help us get through to him?”

I licked my lips nervously. I knew what he needed me to say, what he wanted me to say. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say it. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty, but I’ve tried to do as little thinking about the prince as possible.”

He sighed and shook his head. “I understand. And I’m sorry to bring it up, but when we do find him, I need to be able to get through to him. And I get the impression you might be the only one who would be able to do so.”

“I’m so sorry, but you’re under the wrong impression. He made it very clear that I mean nothing to him.”

His lips pressed together in a firm line. Penny sat forward then and placed a hand on his knee. He immediately exhaled and sat back a little bit. “What Sebastian is trying to ask is if you knew any way to reach him, would you be willing to tell us? It’s of paramount importance.”

The harsh chuckle escaped before I could recall it. “I’m flattered you think he would have given me anything that would be at all useful to you. But honestly, we were roommates. I thought we were friends, maybe.” I’d thought we were other things too. “But I can’t get through to Lucas. The way he left proves that.”

Sebastian once again pressed his lips into a firm line. “My brother seems to have a way with exits.” The muscle in his jaw ticked again before he switched course. “If by chance we were able to locate him, would you consider helping us convince him to come home?”

I blinked at him. Was he insane? There was only so much torture I could take. “Fuck no.”

Sebastian’s brows rose, and he blinked several times. Penny, next to him, laughed out loud.

In the kitchen, I heard Jinx mutter, “Lord, have mercy.”

I slapped a hand over my mouth. “I’m so sorry. That came out wrong.”

Sebastian’s smile spread over his face and for a second, I was stunned by it. There had been all these stories of his exploits, about him running around, acting crazy. He’d been in tabloid after tabloid, and while I’d seen him in person before, I’d never seen him like this. Settled. Happy. He was more than handsome. He was formidable. A guy like this was probably devastating to be with. A guy like Lucas.

“That came out the wrong way. I, uhm—what I mean to say is, I obviously hope you’re able to find him. I hope he’s safe. But I have zero interest in ever seeing or speaking to him again.”

King Sebastian sighed, and it was Penny that leaned forward. “Obviously, I understand. Lucas can be infuriating and difficult to deal with. But it will take a lot to get through to him. We’ll need all the help we can get. If we had you in our corner, we might be able to reach him when we finally find him. We have people attempting to locate him now. We’ve got a trail that led to Atlanta, then eventually to Italy. We’re trying to narrow his location down. We’re just afraid that if we all go after him—"

Sebastian interrupted her. “That he’ll be like me and bolt. To be honest, he’s better at hiding than I was. And I was hard to find. I don’t want him going completely to ground. Not with everything else that’s going on. It’s not safe.”

There was that word again. Safe. “Is he in danger?”

The king and queen exchanged glances. Penny nodded slowly. “There is some danger, yes. Obviously, you are aware of the assassination attempt on Sebastian and myself."

“Of course. I’m so sorry.” God, I felt so selfish. They had real problems, and I was moaning about my heartache.

She waved me off. “Don’t be. The person responsible is in jail. But we don’t know how many people he was working with, so it’s important that we find Lucas for his own safety.”

I knew the answer they wanted. They wanted me to say yes. My king and queen were asking something from me, and I knew the right answer. I knew what I was supposed to do, what I was supposed to give them.

But I couldn’t, because if I ever did see Lucas again, it wouldn’t result in the ending they hoped for. He would very likely run, but not before I killed him. Then I’d be the one sitting in those supposedly non-existent dungeons. “I’m so sorry. I just can’t. Not after everything that happened. I hope you can get through to him.”

Sebastian sighed. He opened his palm and exposed a flash drive. “On this drive, there is supposedly overwhelming evidence that says Lucas stole from the Crown. That he embezzled funds from the charity I placed him in charge of. Whatever else he may be, I think we both know Lucas wouldn’t do something like that to his family. You might be the person that can get through to him to help him clear his name, because you and I both know these accusations are untrue.”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don’t know anything about Lucas. If someone is saying that he stole from the Crown, it’s entirely possible. After all, he was a thief.” Even as the words tipped off my tongue, I knew them for the lies they were. Lucas was a thief. Had been. Past tense. And even if he was stealing from someone now, he would never steal from the people he loved and cared about. The way he talked about his mother, and the things he’d been forced to do, there’s no way he stole from his own brother. That wasn’t who he was. But that didn’t mean I was going to help them. It wasn’t that I wanted to do Lucas harm, although there was an element of that. It wasn’t that I never wanted to see him again, though, there was an element of that too. It was that if I did see him again, my heart would break in two and I would never recover. Lucas Newsome had broken me once. I wasn’t strong enough to survive it again.

“I really wish I could help you, but I can’t. There is nothing I could say to Lucas to get through to him. We were just never that close.”