Page 19 of Her Royal Rebellion

“Logan?”

He rubbed his jaw and finally met my eyes. “There’s been something weighing on me lately, and I want to talk to you about it.” He sighed. “I don’t want to add on to your stress though.”

That was concerning. “Please tell me. You’re making me nervous.”

“I’m sorry.” The corner of his lips curled, just barely. “It’s about my meeting with my sergeant. I didn’t tell you the whole truth.”

I sat up. “What happened?”

“He gave me a few options.”

“About what?”

“What comes next for me. I can leave active service, retire from duty.”

My stomach dropped. He could leave the palace. Leave me.

“I can also continue here in my current position, or he said there’s a special task force I have the opportunity to lead. He couldn’t reveal too many specifics, but I think it would be out of the country.”

I tried not to show my rising panic. “What do you want to do?”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure. I haven’t ever given much thought to what I wanted to do after the Marines. I don’t know what I could do outside of this.”

“You mean a civilian job?”

“I don’t have any hobbies outside of training and exercising. I’m not good at very much besides what I do now.”

I could sense his turmoil and wanted to help him. “Maybe you just haven’t had time to pursue any other interests. You might have other talents you haven’t realized yet. What about the task force?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to commit to several more years.”

That was a good sign. He didn’t want to leave. It was selfish of me, but I was happy he wasn’t leaning toward that option.

“You’re amazing at your job and I know there are private security companies that would be lucky to have you on their team, if that’s what you want.”

He didn’t immediately reply. I wanted to tell him to stay, but I couldn’t do that to him. If there was another dream he could pursue, I couldn’t burden him with my own desires. He should be free to do what he wanted with his life. One of us should.

“I just want you to be happy, Logan. You’ll be successful with whatever choice you make.”

He stared back at me. “Do you want me here?”

I was taken aback by his directness. “Of course. I don’t want you to leave, but that’s selfish to say. If there’s something else you’d prefer to do, I’d support you. I hope you know that.”

He nodded and stood. “Thanks, Isla.”

I wasn’t sure what he was thanking me for, but I smiled and watched him leave, wondering if there was still something he wasn’t telling me.

8

Logan

My relief at the quick departure of Count Henri was short lived. Peter, the duke from Denmark and Isla’s friend, was arriving anytime, and we just got word that Jean, Count von Hosenbrooke of the Netherlands, was also on his way. He was due this weekend but had moved up his plans which meant my team and the palace staff was working frantically to catch up. In the two years I’d been there I’d never seen Martin, the master of the household, look so frazzled. He was a control freak and perfectionist, which made him excellent at his job, but I worried this was too much for him.

“Peter is on his way.” Shane shoved his phone back in his pocket and stood next to me in front of Isla’s office. She had the doors open and sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen with a frown. I wanted to call out to her and ask what was wrong, but that would be highly inappropriate.

“Do you have an update on Jean? I thought he was due to arrive first.”

He shook his head. “Not since his head of security let me know their plane was leaving. I thought he would be here by now too, but maybe he isn’t coming from home.”