Page 111 of Ruthless

Who were these people that they had managed to brainwash a group of soldiers into killing themselves to keep from being questioned? That level of devotion came from something deeper than normal loyalty to a potential new government. It was cultlike.

“So we have nothing?”

“We have your brother and Bennett. You got some intel from them.”

“Yes, but not enough.”

“Now that they know there’s no way out, we’ll get more.”

Nodding without really agreeing, Eve absently pulled her ringing phone from her pocket. When she saw her father’s name, she answered immediately. “Papa. Everything all right?”

“I’m fine, Lina.” The weariness in her father’s voice made her ache. He had lost so much, and his heart had been broken multiple times. For the first time that she could remember, he actually sounded like an elderly man. “How is Gideon?”

“He had to go back to surgery to stop some bleeding.”

“I’ve never met a stronger, more determined man. He will recover.”

“I hope so, Papa.” Her voice thick, she swallowed down the lump in her throat.

“I need you to come back to Ile de la Lune as soon as possible.”

Her body jerked at the news. Her father knew how important Gideon was to her. Why would he—

Comprehension came quick, and she closed her eyes as the stark realization washed through her. How had she not seen this coming? With the loss of Nicolas and now Alexandre, she was her father’s only living heir. As the Royal Princess of Ile de la Lune, she was now in line to succeed her father on the throne.

“Papa…I—”

“Come home, Lina.” His voice sounded both compassionate and authoritative. “We have much to discuss.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Gideon…”

“Leave as soon as you know Gideon will be all right. I’ll have a plane waiting for you at the airport.”

“All right.” The shaky, weak voice didn’t sound like her at all.

“And, Lina?”

“Yes, Papa?”

“I’m very sorry, my angel.”

She didn’t bother to respond. She knew he had never wanted this for her. And she most definitely hadn’t wanted it for herself.

Her mind zoomed to awareness when the doors to the OR swung open, and the surgeon headed toward her. Rising, she was vaguely aware that both Serena and Liam each held one of her hands as they all met the doctor.

“He’s stable,” the doctor said wearily. “We found a couple of small nicks in one of his kidneys. We repaired them, and things are looking good. There’s no indication of any organ damage from the sepsis. He should make a complete recovery.”

She was grateful to have her friends on either side of her, because she was quite sure her legs might not have held her up without their support.

“Thank you so much, Doctor. Can I see him?”

“He’s in Recovery and will be unconscious for several hours.”

“I understand. There’s somewhere I have to go, and I just need to see him before I leave.”

“I’ll have a nurse take you to him.”

After the doctor walked away, Serena said, “You’re leaving?”