Chapter 219
Cassie
Work was busy , which was exactly how I liked it because it stopped me thinking about what was going to happen later.
Julian wanted to take me out for dinner. On a date to celebrate our anniversary. Although I was trying not to think about it as a date because if I did then I would freak out. It was one thing living this fake like in the public eye and quite another to try and pretend I didn’t still have feelings for him in private.
One smile, one soft look and I would fold and what happened that day when he decided to move back in would happen again and I would be back to being heartbroken and fighting for survival.
The distance between me and Julian was the only thing that kept me sane. That and my sons but they were only home on weekends now.
I missed them terribly.
Pushing out of one of the wards I froze. Ian stood there. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed about his chest.
“What are you doing here?” I gathered my wits about me. He was head of my security but he had never once just appeared in my place of work. Ian was the kind of man who faded into the background. Always there but you never saw him.
“Waiting for you.” Slowly he pushed himself upwards until he was at his full height.
Glancing down at my watch, I frowned. “I have another four hours of this shift, Ian. I am not ready to go to dinner just yet.”
Or ever, I added silently.
He shook his head. “I’m not here to take you to the king. Cassie. I need to talk to you. We need to talk to you.”
My eyebrows shot up. “We? Why do I get the feeling that doesn’t mean you and Julian?”
The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. “Because you are a smart woman. Come with me.” He offered his arm and I shook my head.
Being seen arm in arm with Ian would just fuel the rumour mill.
Instead I fell into step with him as he weaved down the busy hospital corridors. Slipping from one to another without hesitation. Ian seemed to know his way around which shocked me.
Catching my look, he shrugged. “It’s my job to know my way around everywhere you are Cassie. I can’t keep you safe otherwise. After you.” He pushed open a door and I stepped through.
The room was little more than a broom closet. Only without the brooms. There were four spindly chairs in it instead and no window.
“What’s going on?” I glanced around. “Forrest? Yanna?” My mouth fell open.
Forrest was on his feet in a second. Gathering me up in a warm hug. “It’s good to see you Cassie.”
“Hands off.” Ian growled. “We aren’t here to exchange pleasantries. We have business to discuss.” He fell into one of the chairs and motioned for me to sit in the other one.
“Why are we here?” Nervously I sat down. Perching on the edge.
“Because Yanna came to me with some intelligence, it’s the reason I came back so quickly Cassie. I know you think it was because of the party but-“
I shook my head. “I didn’t in a million years thought you had come back for me.” I let my eyes travel around the room. It didn’t take long. It was small. “But what intelligence?”
“A rebel force is moving against your husband. Quietly but it’s happening and I have reason to believe that they are being funded from within the kings inner circle.” Yannas eyes crinkled. “I thought it might be you but after our conversation at the party, I ruled you out pretty quickly.” She smiled.
Sighing I stared at her. “That’s why you were so friendly?”
She nodded. “I also kind of liked you. You didn’t belong there but I could see you were in love with your king.”
My eyes darted away and I didn’t say anything. After all there was nothing to say.
“So who else do we know that has the kings ear and can’t be trusted?” Ian asked quietly and my heart slammed into my chest.
I knew it. I knew she wasn’t to be trusted. I knew it and no one had believed me.
Julian hadn’t believed me.
Damn him.
“Megan.” Even saying her name felt like poison. “Then we take her into custody and -“ I saw a look pass between the three of them. “What is it?” I asked. “We can push that she loses her job and-“
“That’s why Forrest is here.” Yanna said. “She has already lost her job and the King has offered it to Forrest but that just makes our job even harder now.”
Confused, I frowned. “How so?”
“Because we can’t keep an eye on her.” Ian said softly. “I know Megan and she will be furious.”
“She never fooled you did she?”
Laughing he shook his head. “I can see straight through her. I always have. The only reason I stayed was to keep you and those boys safe.”
The blood drained from my face. “Are my children in danger?”
Three pairs of eyes fixed on me. “Yes and you are as well. I wouldn’t have told you at all but if the King cuts her loose then she will hell bent on revenge. The easiest people to hurt are you and the princes.”
I couldn’t breathe . Vomit rushed up my throat and quickly on its heels was a steely deathly determination. “She tried once before and failed. She won’t touch my sons.
But shouldn’t we tell Julian?”
“Do you think he will believe us?”
I hesitated for a second and then with a sigh I shook my head. When it came to Megan he didn’t believe anything bad. It was like she had put a spell on him.
“No, probably not.” I admitted. “But what do we do now?”
“We dig into things. We share intel.” Ian’s eyes met mine. “The King loves you. You can use that. Get him to talk to you again. Make him remember who he loves.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I won’t whore myself out. I won’t pretend I’m ok with his relationship with her.” I took a deep breath. “But I will keep an eye on him. That’s the most I can do. I have access to-“
“That’s all we ask Cassie. Keep your family close until we can figure things out. Me and Ian will work together to try and figure out where she is sending the money and working with.”
I glanced between the two of them and couldn’t help but smile. In the other world they had been mated and happy. Completely in love. I hoped it would be the same in this one.
“You really think there is a threat? Or is she just sending money?”
Surprisingly it was Forrest who spoke. “Julian seems to think his kingdom is at peace. It’s not. The people in this room and a few others know the truth. There’s been assignation attempts on all of your lives for years.”
I paled. “Mine?”
He met my eyes. “Especially yours.”
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