Page 33 of The Prince of New York

At the vineyard,I caught a glimpse of my father lurking among the trees, and because I valued those who were with me, I said nothing and pretended as though I hadn’t been given confirmation of trouble paying me a visit. Someone had warned my sister that the bane—and source—of our existences likely still lived, something I viewed as unnecessary.

However, their caution meant Terry loitered, and little escaped Terry.

Every now and then, he flexed his hand as though wishing he could manifest metal and end the problem of my parents once and for all.

But like me, he maintained silence and otherwise behaved as though nothing was amiss.

I did my best to focus my attention on Madelyn, who regarded every little thing at the vineyard with wonder. From the manicured gardens, which were filled with flowers and ponds, to the neat rows of grapes covering the hillside, she marveled at it all.

Then, because Terry was a saint and understood people far better than I ever would, he pulled out a small camera from his pocket, gave it to the woman, and invited her to take as many pictures as she wanted. With the delight of a child receiving the perfect present, she bounced from bloom to bloom, statuette to statuette, and to every little thing to catch her attention, taking pictures. When the battery died, another RPS agent, one I’d seen as part of my sister’s detail, came to Madelyn’s rescue, providing a new camera and offering his blessing for her to take pictures of everything.

While I waited, grinning at how focused she’d become on photographingeverything, Terry stepped to my side and whispered, “Did you see them?”

Them? Fuck. I must have missed my mother, focusing on the nearest known threat to Madelyn and my peace of mind. “I saw him but not her.”

“She was farther back in the trees. They’re gone. We have a photograph of the car plates. From what we can tell, they were checking in on your activities. We had installed bugs last night around the perimeter of the vineyard with the owner’s blessing, and there was some conversation captured.”

“Anything I should know about?”

“They are pleased you’re keeping company with Madelyn, but her presence changes their plans.”

I could understand why Terry would bring me into the loop. Knowing they had their sights on Madelyn changed everything for me. “Was I right to not do anything?”

“You were, especially if you hadn’t spotted her. You might have gotten one but not both, and that would have been problematic. I couldn’t get both, which is why I didn’t act—and the other agents weren’t in a good position to take them out.”

Right. I wouldn’t want to be an RPS agent having to take on two New Yorkers at one time, especially not ones of my parents’ strength. “How do you want me to proceed?”

“With caution, especially as we haven’t had a chance to do much in the way of scenarios with you. I’d like permission to install trackers in all your clothing. They will be chargeable with Qi pads. I’ve already requested the charger be sent to the palace, and once you give permission, I’ll have a tailor do the alterations to your attire.”

While losing my privacy would be irritating, I saw the value of it. “Do it,” I ordered. “If they can be installed into the band of my personal garments, that would be ideal. My parents are the kind to replace suits at their whim, but something as simple as underwear goes beyond their general comfort levels. Are there any you can issue as a pill?”

“I am sure Dr. Stanton can come up with a medication yousurelyneed that we can turn into a tracker pill,” he confirmed. “Ideally, it will be one that will cause you no harm should your parents dispose of your pills and purchase the same variety and dosage on the black market. Good thought. I’ll make use of it.”

That I could see them doing. “You’re going to get in trouble if you keep hanging out with me,” I warned.

Terry laughed at that. “I know. I already warned Olivia. I’ve always had good reputation in New York, and however much I despise them, they typically avoid killing RPS agents—and they would hesitate angering Montana. He could interfere with their plans, whatever those plans are.”

Yes, he could. “How did Olivia take the news?”

“She is quite miffed she isn’t allowed to participate. Fortunately for my sanity, Melody managed to convince her that the twins might become stressed if she’s involved. I’ve been assured the babies are showing no signs of trouble at this point, but the medical staff wants us to be particularly careful because of her age and that it’s her first pregnancy. I’m not concerned; twins are common in her family, and the women born into the line rarely have problems with even quadruplets. This is a major concern for both Dr. Stanton and Melody, who are coming to terms with Olivia’s drive to have atleastten children.” Terry sighed and regarded me with wide eyes. “I love kids, Ian, butten?”

“You married into the Montana Royal Family, Terry.Youare the reason there’s a new branch family,” I reminded him. “I’m betting you two end up with at least fifteen brats underfoot before menopause comes calling. And there will be at least two sets of quadruplets. Joining me in being relocated at my parents’ whim might be the only vacation you get for at least twenty-five years. It’ll be a bloodbath, though.”

If I didn’t get the bastards, Terry would—or one of the many members of the Montana Royal Family who would bring out every weapon in their arsenal to get the man back. I’d end up swept along for the ride, but I knew how that family worked.

They would scour the entirety of the planet if needed to reclaim what was theirs.

My parents, fools that they were, likely had no idea they brought about their own ruin.

“My concern is that with your luck, Eddie will be caught up in this mess. The only good news is that Eddie is sacred to them.”

My parents, freshly emerged from their false graves, might be the death of me—and my frustration over their twisted ways would be the cause of it. “Eddie? Why Eddie?”

“Much like with King Adam, your parents sympathize with Eddie. The boy’s father being killed in the line of dutyandKing Patrick’s unofficial adoption would be key factors. While they have no love for the Texans, Eddie is a different matter. Their compassions are twisted, but they do have them from time to time.” Terry scowled, and he kept an eye on Madelyn. “Eddie is the type of person your parents would want around you if their end game is to make you the inheritor of whatever new empire they are attempting to fashion for themselves. I would be a good resource for my knowledge on protection and leading details. They understand the importance of security, and while I generally dislike them, I have always been a professional. At this stage, theyshouldunderstand that doing something to me would stir your sister’s ire—and your sister is growing into her strength. She is becoming the very force they wanted for New York, but she’s not working for them. However, they lack an understanding of family loyalty. They simply don’t comprehend that your sister will fully grow into being a Queen of New York the instant they do anything to you.”

I hadn’t thought of that, and I regarded Terry with growing concern. “What do you think she will do?”

“That’s the problem. Your guess is as good as mine. If your parents manage to snag both of usandEddie? Your sister will show the world New York is a force to respect and fear—and for all the right reasons. She will be doing it out of familial love and duty.”

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