Page 63 of The Prodigal Prince

A dead end.

With a deep breath, Mac used the torch to search the seams for anything that looked like a way to open a door. “Hold this for me?” He handed the sweater-covered torch to Gray. “Point it where my hands are.”

“Okay.” Gray took his duties very seriously as Mac began feeling along the seams and the wall itself for anything that might be a lever or switch.

The men were getting closer and closer. It would only be a few minutes at most before they found Mac and his son.

He glanced back to see a bit of light coming from further down the corridor.

Shouting and other noises came from behind. He didn’t know who else might be there, but it didn’t matter. He needed to get his son to safety.

Just as he was about to give up hope, something gave way beneath his fingers and the wall silently swung inward toward Mac.

Grabbing Gray’s hand, he pulled them both through before the door was completely open.

He turned and tried to find a way to close the door behind them. Fortunately, it started to close on its own.

Turning around, he picked Gray up and looked around the darkened area where they’d ended up.

Time to get to safety.

* * *

What exactly had they discovered?Fiona prayed they’d actually found the two missing members of her family.

Thor, Silas, the military man, and several others whispered together on the other side of the conference room. She couldn’t hear what they were saying. That worried her.

Finally, they returned to their seats at the table.

“The WLRs team found the entrance in the area of your photo,” Thor told her. “They found two men…” He glanced at the other men before continuing. “But Mac and Gray weren’t there.”

She blew out a breath. “They must have found a way out. That’s why they aren’t there.”

“That’s one possibility.” The military man tapped on his tablet then turned it around.

Two men were pictured.

Fiona’s visceral reaction must have confirmed what they already suspected.

“Those are the two men who abducted you?” Thor asked for confirmation.

She nodded as tears began to streak down her cheeks, making no effort to stop them. “Those are the men.”

“Thank you.” The military man nodded at one of the other men standing near the door.

“What about Gray?” Her voice cracked. “And Mac?” The two most important men in her life were still missing.

“We’re not sure yet. It’s possible they escaped, or they were handed off to someone else. They’re not saying anything.” Thor looked at his phone, but didn’t say anything about what he read.

Queen Eliana walked in and glared at the men gathered. “Fiona hasn’t eaten in a while. I’m taking her to get some food.”

Thor gave a single nod. Fiona suspected anything but acquiescence wouldn’t have gone over well with his wife.

She also knew his wife wouldn’t ask for something he’d feel the need to decline.

With the queen’s arm linked through hers, she led Fiona through a portion of the house Fiona hadn’t been in before. A minute later, they walked into the kitchen.

“Let’s find you something to eat.” The queen motioned for Fiona to have a seat at the table then opened the refrigerator. “How do you feel about tropical fruits?”