Page 14 of Palace of Betrayal

“Who knows so far?”

“Just us two, Alwyn, the Police Commissioner, the Marina Manager, and the Prime Minister.”

“So too many then.”

“Hmm. Perhaps you know someone who can investigate this on the quiet for us. I know you have certain contacts from your time in the military.”

Leo was cautious as he answered. “I do, but I’d prefer to do it myself for now.”

“Absolutely not. You’re needed here to bolster the people.”

Leo leaned closer, swatting the smoke from his face as he did. “I’ll be here and be seen by the people. I can investigate in plain sight.”

“No, León. It’s not lost on me that it was your yacht that exploded. I won’t lose my only child.”

“You think I was the target?”

His father’s mouth fell open for a second before he regained his composure. “Don’t you?”

Leo nodded slowly. “Yes, it looks that way.”

“Is this to do with your military work or do you think it’s a plot to destabilise the Crown?”

What Leo thought was that whoever was entering the illegal auction had somehow found out that he knew. But did that mean they knew about Bebe? If so, she was in danger too. His stomach twisted at the thought, and no matter how many times he tried to remember how deadly she was and how she could take care of herself, he was still uncomfortable with it.

He wasn’t a sexist as she’d accused. He’d worked dangerous missions with Emily Reynolds and other female operators that had been more skilled than a lot of the men at his side. He had no issue with it at all but, somehow, she was different. “I don’t think so, no. Let me look into it for a few days. If I can’t figure it out, I have someone I can bring in to help.”

“Fine but I’d still like to meet this woman.”

“Bebe. Her name is Bebe Basu.”

“Bebe, then. I’d like to meet her.”

“Fine but not tonight. How about Saturday night?”

His father smiled and his eyes looked glassy as if he was lost in time, his eyes going to the chair where his wife had always sat. “Of course. I remember what it was like in those first few months and not wanting anybody to intrude on the bubble of perfection you had created together.”

Leo didn’t comment, not wanting to encourage his father too much. “When will the funeral be?”

The King seemed to snap out of his daydream and focused on his son, a look of grief and regret marring his features. “A week from today. Everything is handled, which is just as well as your uncle has taken this hard and retreated to his place in the country.”

“Of course he has. Alain was his son and a good man. This should never have happened to him or those he was with.”

Guilt was like a sore in his gut, painful and nagging. If only he hadn’t been so preoccupied with his mission this would never have happened or maybe it would. Leo knew better than most that shit went sideways sometimes and innocent people died when they shouldn’t.

A hand on his forearm made him look up at the man who’d been his biggest advocate and his closest adversary.

“Don’t do that. Blaming yourself changes nothing. I, for one, am incredibly grateful that I’m not mourning my child today. Alain was a good man, but as much as it pains me to say it, he was troubled too. Remember that when you investigate what happened. It wasn’t a secret that he often borrowed the yacht from you.”

Leo sighed. “I’ll keep an open mind.” Standing he went to leave, a sudden sense of urgency to be with Bebe pulling at him. “Go speak with your brother. He needs you. I’ll take care of this, Father. You can rely on me.”

“I know that, son. You’re my greatest gift and I only wish you knew that you could rely on me, too.”

León left the study without answering because what could he say? He was a grown man still bitter over the loss of his mother and blaming the only person he could. More and more lately he wondered if he hadn’t got it horribly wrong about his father. Exploring that meant admitting he’d been wrong all these years, and he’d wasted so many precious moments he could never get back.

The afternoon sun was high in the sky as he stepped from the palace into the large rose gardens and walked far enough away that any flapping ears wouldn’t overhear his conversation.

He waited impatiently for Bebe to answer his call, cursing himself for not going with her. Even after a day he’d known stopping her would’ve ended badly.