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I nod and follow him into my private study. Closing the door, I turn back to him and motion for him to take a seat. Once seated, I wait for him to speak.

“We found shell casings. It was a high-powered rifle. That was no hunting accident,” he states, confirming my fears.

“I want everyone home, now,” I command, my voice steady and even, but my mind racing.

“I understand. I agree. I’m working on it. Your father is in meetings with the president of France until later today. I’m having his secretary clear his schedule and ready the plane to leave tonight. Your sister and Logan are secured at the palace in Montelandia. I advise that they stay there. Your brother and Kate have been informed. He wants to speak with you before deciding whether to return here.”

I run a hand over my face. My brother can be the most frustrating person on the planet. I guarantee he wants to have an extended vacation in the Riviera.

“I’ll call him,” I state.

Pete’s phone buzzes. He groans.

“What?”

“Mia just went for a walk. She told my security detail to fuck off,” Pete states.

He goes to stand, clearly heading out to deal with Mia. I rise and put a hand up. “Stop. I will take care of Mia.”

“Christian, I don’t like the idea of you out there. Susanna, August, you, and your father all need to be particularly cautious right now,” he says.

“I will get her,” I say again, my tone telling him to back the fuck off.

“Cain will go with you,” Pete says as I leave.

I grumble the entire way down the corridor and the stairs. I can hear Cain walking behind me, but I don’t acknowledge him. Having guards around me nearly twenty-four seven has taught me the art of pretending they aren’t there. They tend to blend into the background like paintings. I’m aware of their presence but not of them.

I take the back door out past the garages and find Mia where I thought I would. She’s sitting in the rose garden at my mother’s grave. She loves the roses. It’s where she always goes to think.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” I say angrily as I approach her. I grab her arm and haul her up off the stone bench.

Her eyes are wide as she looks at me as though I’ve gone mad. “W-what?” she stammers.

“Mia, you can’t be out here. Have you lost your mind? We were just shot at not two hours ago. It’s not safe to be outdoors.”

Her eyes survey the garden. “Christian, we are surrounded by a literal wall of stone, bushes, and security guards. There are no buildings that tower over us. Where the hell could someone shoot me from?”

“Don’t test me. I am ordering you to stay inside,” I say as my voice booms in the small confines of the garden walls.

“Oh, you’re ‘ordering’ me. That’s rich,” she replies.

Fuck my life. Here we go again. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re my boss, my lover, my friend, but you are not in control of me. I control where I go!” she yells.

“Not on this property! On this property, I make the decisions about everything you do!” I scream as I lose my temper.

Her eyes widen. I immediately regret those words. I don’t mean them, not literally anyhow. But it’s too late. The damage is done. She pulls her arm free of my hand and runs back to the palace. Leaving me alone aside from Cain who is hovering a few yards away.

I look at my mother’s grave, willing her to give me strength before I head back inside. I need to cool off and then go apologize to Mia. I shouldn’t have yelled at her. I love her and I need her with me. I just hope I can convince her of my feelings for her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mia

I’m greeted by Pete as I approach the side door of the palace. He’s standing by the same unmarked SUV that brought us here.

“Miss Edgewater?”