Page 21 of His Prince

“Everyone loves your snickerdoodle?” Gael replies with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Casey scowls at Gael who just walks off, leaving me alone with Casey once more. We walk down the hallway in silence, and it’s only when I bring up Ivan that Casey’s mood sours.

“I hate that guy. Worst fucking head of security I’ve ever met,” he grumbles, and I eye him.

“Yeah, well, I mean, he seems a little weird, but that doesn’t make him bad at his job.”

“He’s shit at his job. Trust me.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Since I now have you and he’s given his approval, while I make lunch, can you go and recruit some guys to help me bring my orders where they need to be? My app says the delivery will be here in about thirty minutes.”

“Yeah, you know I’ll do anything for you,” he says, and I wrap him in a quick hug.

“Thanks, Casey. You’re the best.”

“I am.”

4

MIKHAIL

My eyes are worn, tired from a long day of travel. This type of trip—back-to-back days of flying, multiple stops—isn’t ideal, especially for someone who sleeps as little as I do. It doesn’t help that I swear I saw her last night, looming over my hotel bed, her face bloody, her eyes lifeless.

It’s the worst time for her ghost to make an appearance.

I was raised with the stories of ghosts that haunt the minds of those who are guilty of unspeakable acts. I never understood it because my father and grandfather did terrible things and they seemed unbothered by it all.

But then again, maybe what my grandmother told me is coming to pass.

Maybe Katarina is haunting me after all these years.

Or maybe I’m just exhausted.

I run a hand down my face, scrubbing the images of Katarina from my mind as Dima drives me down the South Florida highway.

I have more important things to focus on. We got a weaponsshipment I need to inspect, and I have laundering businesses to check on while in Miami.

Not to mention, a husband waiting at home for me.

One who has messaged me several times over the last four days but hasn’t done so today.

My stomach clenches at the absence of him. It’s been incredibly quiet from the home front this week.

No updates from security, nothing from Nina.

Not that they usually speak to me. We tend to go our separate ways, our lives only tied together because of my parents.

I glance down at my phone, my hand tightening around it.

Angel:Where are you?

When will you be home?

We need to talk.

Please call me.

But today, he hasn’t messaged me, and in the pit of my stomach, I know that can’t be good.

---