Page 76 of A Wise Prince

Auggie nods. “Yes, I think it’s time for a game plan.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

August

My father,the president, and Jack sit around a table in the study deep in conversation with Pete, our head of security. They stop talking as we enter the room.

“There’s a leak,” Jack says.

“All our staff will be sent away temporarily. We are going to interview and investigate them, one by one,” our father says, looking pointedly at Chris. Chris is not going to like this. He’s in love with his secretary, Mia. We all know this, even though Chris refused to admit it publicly.

“Father, a word, please,” Chris snarls. The king stands and ushers Chris out of the room.

Anna walks in, her eyes following her brother and father as they leave the room, she looks at us with a question on her face.

“Father is sending the staff away to be investigated and interviewed,” I say to her.

She raises her eyebrows. “He can’t possibly send them all away at the same time,” she states.

“We’ll send them away in shifts,” Pete states.

Anna sighs. “Well, I’m working on something too. Jack, we need to talk.”

“Yes, we do,” he agrees as she steps back out of the room.

Jessica walks back in, and the sound of my father and brother arguing can be heard through the open door. She’s looking back out at them, clearly concerned and confused by their conversation.

“Our security staff need to debrief,” she announces.

The president looks between his wife and daughters. “We need a family meeting,” he states.

Pete looks at them. “Please feel free to use the conservatory,” he says, and with that, he pushes a button. Tessa appears through a side door.

“Tessa, please show our guests to the conservatory,” Pete says to her.

She doesn’t ask any questions but gives everyone a look that says she doesn’t like secrets. “Yes, sir,” she answers and motions for the first family to follow her.

I squeeze Kate’s hand as I let her go.

I’m left alone with Jack and Pete.

“Who do we think it is?” I ask them.

Jack runs a hand through his short hair. “The question now is, who isn’t it?”

Anna bursts into the room. “The trap is set,” she announces as she walks over to a cabinet and presses a door, it opens to reveal our father’s personal espresso maker. She hums to herself as she makes herself a cup.

“Anna, what trap?” Jack asks.

She turns, tapping her hand on the cabinet door.

“The server, it was compromised during the explosion. They’ve been watching us this whole time. We may have a rat here, but they wouldn’t need one here because they can see everything, all audio, all video, all Wi-Fi actions, anything that happens, they have eyes on it.”

Jack groans. “Fuck!” he yells, as he pounds his fist on the table.

“But I’m redeeming myself because I have a plan,” she says with the grin that she only gives when she really does have a plan.

I roll my eyes. “Anna, seriously?”

---