Page 6 of The Prodigal Prince

“Fiona!” he called. “That’s a friend of mine,” he told the man. Close enough. “I’d like to say hi to her.”

She’d stopped and turned, but hadn’t actually seen him.

Combined it was enough to make the man falter in his security measures.

Mac managed to skirt around him and make his way toward Fiona.

“Fi!”

This time she turned around the other direction and still didn’t see him.

The churning inside had changed its nature. Instead of being certain something bad was going to happen to Fiona or the child, it had more to do with the reception he’d get when she realized his identity.

But he had to keep going.

“Fiona!” One more time before other security reached him. They would use more force.

This time she saw him.

And he saw her face.

Her eyes were swollen. Her cheeks red and wet from tears. Her hair had been pulled back into a sloppy bun that truly was a sloppy bun and not planned that way.

She blinked as his arms were grabbed by two members of security.

Fiona held up a hand. “Wait.”

Her eyes narrowed as she walked toward him.

Of course she didn’t immediately know who he was. The beard and over half a decade must have changed his appearance enough she didn’t recognize him.

“Do I know you?” She took a step toward him. “You look familiar.”

“It’s been a few years, Fi.” He kept his tone soft.

The security guards released his arms as she waved them off.

A few more steps and she stopped just a meter away from him. “What’s your name?”

Now that the moment had arrived, Mac’s heart seemed to stop then restart at twice its normal rate. “These days, I most often go by Mac.”

“Mac.” She repeated his name thoughtfully.

He took his glasses off.

She blinked.

“Mac.” This time his name came out as a hiss. “What are you doing here? You said you never want to see me again.”

Mac hung his head. “I know.”

“Look at me.” The hiss increased in volume. “What are you doing here?” The realization about who he was had to be setting in.

“I was nearby and saw you over here.” Mac glanced around at the security team members circled around them. “What’s going on?”

Before he realized what she was going to do, the slap on his chin caused his head to snap to the side.

Fiona stepped closer. “That’s for being a deadbeat dad.” One more step until she completely invaded his space. “Do you want another one, Prince Maximilian, or are you going to help me find your son?”

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