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“But Leslie,” Henry protested.
“Ray and Jensen have men scouring the country just as they’ve done since Leslie disappeared. The Austrian, Swiss, German, and Italian governments have been put on alert, as well as Interpol. Ray has also contacted Sutton Smith, and he promised to have his ops stationed throughout the world keep an eye out and their ears open. He’s also volunteered several of his people who aren’t currently on assignment to start searching. They’ll find her.”
Jennifer clung to Tristan’s hand. He gave her a reassuring smile.
“Let’s take care of you,” his dad told Henry.
“Thank you,” Henry managed, his voice thick with emotion. He nodded to the king, then looked back to Jennifer. “Are you all right, love?”
Jennifer only shook her head. She looked drained and hurting and far from all right.
“I think she needs to lie down for a bit,” Tristan said. “I’ll stay with her at the cottage.”
Henry arched his brows. “As long as you don’t lie down with her.”
“Dad!” Jennifer gasped out.
“Don’t worry, old chap. I’ll keep everything moral and squeaky clean.”
Henry chuckled. It warmed Tristan clear through and felt like old times. Maybe there was hope that things could return to normal between them someday.
“See that you do. Your dad might have five replacements for you, but I’ve only got one daughter.” He lifted his hands, then shifted uncomfortably, as if not sure if he should tease like they used to.
“True,” the king said. “I’ve already lost my Lamborghini Aventador. The only thing worse than losing the crown prince would be crashing my new Lamborghini Veneno.”
“I think Ellery will take care of that for you,” Tristan threw in.
Henry, the king, and Tristan all smiled at that. Henry still looked decidedly uncomfortable, but at least his initial reaction had been to tease.
Jennifer looked at all of them as if they’d lost it.
“Apologies.” Tristan raised their clasped hands and kissed her knuckles. “We tease like this all the time.” They weren’t teasing like normal, and who knew what their relationship would be from here on out, but hopefully they could someday be comfortable and bantering again.
His lips brushed the massive diamond on her ring finger. He wanted it there, but he needed to put it there properly. Holding her gaze, he slowly slid the ring off and then kissed her now-naked finger. “You mean too much to me to not do this the right way. The next time you wear it will be for real.”
Her dark eyes filled with warmth for the first time since the cave.
A throat cleared, reminding him both of their fathers were watching. He handed the ring to his dad. The king took it solemnly and pocketed it, not saying anything, though his blue eyes were bright.
Tristan climbed out of the Kawasaki and rushed around to assist Jennifer.
The king turned to him. “Wait for the guards to clear the cottage before you enter. William might be gone, but Naomi is just as lethal and possibly smarter.”
Tristan nodded. Their dads waved and drove away together. His dad spoke to a guard at the gate. The well-built guard rushed to them and bowed slightly. “Please allow me to escort you. I’ll check the cottage and watch over you.”
“Thank you, Ollie.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
They walked up the sheltered path to the cottage and waited outside while Ollie went through it, disabling all the recording devices. Finally, they were allowed in. Ollie promised to stand guard outside until he was relieved that evening. They thanked him and walked in.
Jennifer was withdrawn and not herself. He knew she was exhausted, and everything they’d gone through weighed heavily in the air between them. He called the castle, and they sent down some clothes for him and a load of food. They each showered and then sat and ate. Well, Tristan ate. Jennifer just pushed food around her plate.
Halfway through the meal, he met Jennifer’s gaze and saw that her chin was quivering. “Jenn?”
She burst into tears.
Tristan stood and hurried to pull her up and into his arms. “Jenn.”
