Page 101 of Happily Ever After

“What?”

She opened the email and read it. “It’s not just German police officers that are outside. Pierre is standing outside with them.”

“Grimaldi? He came in person?”

“He must have flown out as soon as he saw the video. He says he has half the Monegasque army with him.”

“Vonlanthen said the Nice airport was crawlingwith private planes. Dammit.”

“Pierre says that he will withdraw the arrest warrants if I talk to him.”

“What the hell could he want to talk to you about, after that video this morning?”

“I don’t know, but if it makes the arrest warrants go away, maybe I should talk to him.”

“He has an army here. He’ll try to snatch you back.”

Flicka picked up her phone and dialed the phone number for PierreMonaco, the phone number she’d seen in Geneva, Pierre’s secret line. “We’ll arrange it so he can’t. You, me, Pierre, and Pierre gets one guy, and that’s it. Witnesses and not enough people to fight. The rest of his army can wait outside the castle. We’ll raise the drawbridge.”

Dieter blinked and then blinked again. “I don’t remember seeing a drawbridge.”

Her phone rang next to her cheek. “Goddammit.George-Five built this castle to host balls and receptions and to be pretty, not for a war. Next time we pour money into this stupid, roof-leaking, money-hemorrhaging castle, I’m adding a drawbridge. What use is a damn castle if you can’t raise the drawbridge?”

In her ear, a man’s voice snapped, “How did you get this number?”

She said into the phone, “Pierre, it’s Flicka. What the hell do youmean, arrest warrants?”

Pierre’s tone instantly changed. “Flicka, darling, I apologize for everything. I beg you to allow me to talk to you and explain myself. If we talk, I’ll withdraw all the charges and the arrest warrants. Just hear me out.”

From Pierre, that was a lot of groveling.

She told him her terms, that he and one other person of his would be allowed into the castle along with theGerman police. He agreed, and she hung up.

“Well,” she said to Dieter, “He’s on his way in.”

Dieter leaned on his elbows. “I realize there will be a lot of talking going on. No matter who asks, you don’t have to say anything about us. I’m fine. I realize that this isn’t the time or place to discuss that. I won’t get jealous or stupid.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “I know you’remine.”

Flicka clung to his fingers. “Always,Lieblingwächter.”

“Always, myDurchlauchtig.”He slapped his laptop closed. “I’ll borrow a shitload of guns and knives from theWelfenlegiondetail. Give me five minutes. Don’t let him in until I’m there.”