Page 10 of The Prodigal Prince

King Edward walked straight to Mac, staring him deep in the eyes for a long moment before reaching out to clasp his shoulder. “You had a good reason for keeping your distance.”

The king made a statement. He didn’t ask a question.

Mac answered anyway. “Yes. I did.”

“I’ve told your sister as much.” The king squeezed Mac’s shoulder. “I’ve never told her the reason, but that she could trust you. If she didn’t feel like she could trust you, she should trust me.”

A wave of relief washed over Mac. At least someone had stuck up for him.

“She never told me that.” The glare on Gabriel’s face diminished just a bit. Maybe. It could be Mac’s mind playing tricks on him.

Edward let go of Mac’s shoulder. “Esme can’t tell you everything. You know that. This may have been considered enough of a state secret that she wasn’t certain she could. Regardless, I know the authorities need to check your whereabouts, but I believe you had nothing to do with Gray’s disappearance.” He took a position at the head of the table.

The queen sat next to Fiona, holding her hand. “What do we know?” she asked. “Are there any leads on where Prince Gray and Tinsley have been taken?”

Awkward glances were exchanged then one of the men shook his head. “No.”

“Have they left the property?” she pressed.

More glances. “We don’t believe so, but if they were well-prepared rather than spotting a target of opportunity, it is possible.”

“I presume the authorities in Cabo Juan-Eduardo have been notified, as well as the national authorities?” The new queen knew how to command attention. She wasn’t as new to this sort of life as the marriage certificate might indicate.

“Of course, ma’am.”

When they’d all concluded there wasn’t any new information and nothing more that could be done for the time being, they were taken to a more comfortable room. Mac took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs off to one side. No one came to talk to him.

He suspected the king might chosen to, but he appeared to be deep in conversation with a member of his security team. From the looks Gabriel gave him, Mac knew the prince felt he needed to get his emotions under control before a confrontation took place.

And Fiona...

Mac sighed. He wanted to go sit with her, comfort her, but he knew what her reaction would be.

No one liked rejection, but sometimes you had to shoot your shot, even knowing you’d miss.

With a deep breath, Mac stood and walked toward the mother of his child.

Time to take a chance.

* * *

Wasit possible to be literally cried out?

Fiona wouldn’t have thought so, especially not in the relatively short period of time since she’d received the note.

Someone had gone to her suite and brought back one of Gray’s stuffed animals. She held it close and shut her eyes to block out the rest of the world.

Where was he? Was he hurt? Hungry? Tired? Missing his mom? Was Tinsley with him, protecting him? They’d asked if Fiona thought her nanny might be involved, but she adamantly refused to believe Tinsley would do such a thing.

Perhaps inadvertently, through someone she met, but never intentionally. Even then, she wouldn’t bring Gray around some guy she just met. Never.

Not on purpose.

Staring at the floor in front of her, Fiona felt as alone as she ever had, even when Maximil... Mac walked away years earlier.

She glanced his direction to find that he’d stood and seemed to be walking toward her, but stopped when King Edward intercepted him.

Someone sat on the other side of her. Before looking up, Fiona knew it had to be Queen Penelope.

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