Page 60 of Palace of Betrayal

Leo felt stunned by the news but had no time to react before Wojcik was shown into the room by Roberto, his father’s private secretary.

He glanced at the people he didn’t recognise and frowned. “Prince León, Mr Wojcik would like to speak with you.”

“Bring him in, Roberto,” the King beckoned with a nod and wave of his hand. All formality was seemingly out of the window right now.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Albin Wojcik stepped into the room, looking confident and sure of himself, and stilled at the sight of the newcomers surrounding the King. His gaze swept to where Alwyn was now sitting quietly drinking a brandy, his hand shaking, sweat covering his brow.

Leo imagined it was quite the surprise for the hitman.

“Prince Leo, might I have a word?”

“Of course.”

“In private, sir.”

“Come, have a drink.” Leo beckoned him closer and like a rat, he scurried forward, even as his senses must have screamed danger because he was cocky and thought he was still in control.

“This matter is rather pressing.”

Leo poured himself a brandy and took a sip, placing himself in front of the King as the others moved toward the door blocking the exit. “I imagine it is since you kidnapped my girlfriend.”

Wojcik glanced around the room, wary now as if he’d just realised he’d walked into a trap. He moved his arm to his hip and Leo had him on the ground before he could even finish the action. His face slammed against the antique rug, his arm pressed up his back until he squealed like a pig.

Leo kept his knee on Wojcik’s spine as he patted him down removing two knives, and a handgun. “Where’s Bebe?”

“I’ll never tell you and if you kill me, she dies.”

Leo leaned his knee into the man’s back, forcing a groan from him before he moved back and pulled him to his knees, keeping his arm pinned behind him. Anger slid through his veins like ice, his fury almost more than he could contain. But he did because losing his cool wouldn’t help the woman he loved.

It was crazy and fast but the reality of it was he could no more have stopped it than he could hold the tide from the shore. She was his everything. He’d get her back safely so she could decide if she wanted to take the chance on him and sit beside him as his Queen one day. “Wrong answer.”

Evelyn stepped in front of Wojcik. Her man, Alex just behind her, not interfering but letting her know he was there. She angled her head as she watched the hitman before letting fly with an elbow strike to his face. Leo heard the crack as Wojcik’s nose broke, the scream loud enough to bring the palace staff running.

Roberto opened the door, where he must have been standing listening, and gasped, his eyes flying to the King. “Your Majesty?”

“It’s okay, Roberto. Just make sure the staff stay clear of this area, please. We need to take care of a few things and then I’ll explain.”

Roberto seemed to pause but nodded his acceptance of the situation.

Leo cast his eyes to Roz, who was looking bored. “Is Roberto cleared?”

“Oh yeah. That man is as loyal as a Golden Retriever.”

Leo tightened his hold as Wojcik tried to get free of him and smiled inwardly when he pushed his arm a little too high up his back and he yelped like a puppy. “Stop moving. We know you work for Atticus, we know about Alain and Alwyn and the gem, and the auction. We know the venue, blah blah blah. So, you see, this is over. You might as well talk so at least when I kill you, I’ll do it fast.” Leo was growing tired of the delay, every second she was gone the stakes rose.

Wojcik sagged but remained silent.

“Do you have a room where we can perhaps try and persuade him without the staff hearing?” Roz asked, stepping up beside Evelyn.

“Yes, we have an old dungeon below the palace.”

Roz laughed. “No shit? A real-life dungeon? Lead the way, Prince León.”

“It’s mainly used for storage now, but it will work for what I suspect you’re thinking.”

Roz shrugged, placing her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket and producing what looked like a set of knuckle dusters but instead of spikes, it had wickedly sharp hooks like something Wolverine would wear.