Page 15 of The Prodigal Prince

She shook her head. “I don’t think so.” Except... “Where will Prince Maximilian be?” Using his full name and title seemed appropriate for the moment.

“He will be at the far side of the entourage. Prince Gabriel will lead the Sargassian side of the delegation. He’ll be on the other side of him. You’ll be next to King Edward as he makes his statement.”

“Did he suggest this?” she asked the man.

“I don’t believe so.”

“Did he approve it?” she pressed.

“I’m not certain if he actually approved or if he has chosen to accept it without making a scene.”

Fiona shook her head. “No. He needs to be by me. He’s the father of my son. We need to look united.”

Even if she felt certain it would be no more than a facade.

Another man moved into her field of vision. “Ma’am, it’s time.”

5

Mac hadn’t expected to stand next to Fiona as King Edward prepared to address the assembled press.

He had known there would be whispers wondering who he was, why he was there, and why he looked so familiar.

The king stepped up to the bank of microphones. “Earlier today, a child went missing from one of our resorts. Grayson Westgate, son of Ms. Fiona Westgate and Prince Maximilian of Islas del Sargasso, was last seen in the company of his nanny, who was also missing. She has since been recovered. To this point, she has been unable to provide us with many details.”

From the wide eyes and whispers coming from the seats, Mac couldn’t be certain which piece of information caused the biggest stir - that Fiona had a child, that he was the child’s father - and present, or that the child had been kidnapped.

The king said a few more words then the questions began - shouted over one another.

“Where has the prince been?”

“How old is Gray?”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone about him? Are you ashamed?”

None of them were dignified with a response.

A photo of Gray appeared on the screens nearby. “These are recent photos of Gray,” the king went on, ignoring the rest. “Anyone with information should contact local authorities.”

Mac knew the phone number would appear on the bottom of the screens and in text wherever the photos were posted.

A video of Esme played on a screen off to the side. Mac hadn’t talked to her yet. She made a statement very similar to the king’s.

Fiona moved to the microphones. Mac stayed with her but slightly behind.

She continued to hold onto the teddy bear, the one Mac had sent years earlier. After opening and closing her mouth a couple of times, she closed her eyes. Mac could see tears sliding down her cheeks. He stepped closer and rested a hand on her back.

She tried again. “Please bring him back. I...” Her voice cracked, and she turned away, right into Mac’s chest.

He kept his arm around her, holding her to his side as he urged her out of the room. She’d done what she needed to do. They were quickly taken to another room where she turned toward him.

Mac wrapped both of his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “He’s going to be okay, Fi.”

“How do you know that?” The pain inherent in the whisper tore at Mac.

“I just do.” He had to keep believing that.

Eventually, Fiona moved away from him. “Can I see Tinsley?”

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