Jasiri pointed to where Regina was standing, talking to one of Aléx’s ministers.
“You haven’t taken your eyes off her for a single moment of the conversation we’re having. That is not the behavior of a man who isn’t obsessed with his wife.”
“She’s pregnant with my child, Jasiri. Of course I’m always concerned with her well-being.”
Jasiri shook his head silently.
“Strange, then, that you were looking at her just as intently on your wedding day too. She wasn’t pregnant then, was she?”
Jasiri knew she wasn’t. Regina had more than likely shared with her sister that they’d unknowingly conceived on their wedding night.
Could the words his irritating cousin was speaking be true? Love? Is that what this impossible feeling was in his chest that made it hard for him to breathe every time he had to leave her? Is that why his body went up in flames any time he touched her, or she touched him? Is that why the thought of losing her and their child the way he had Charlie and her mother nearly paralyzed him with fear?
He took measured breaths, trying hard not to have a panic attack right there on the balcony. For one, it would be all over the news before the last guest left. Second, he wouldn’t give Jasiri the satisfaction of gloating.
“Tell her, Aléx. She loves you. She’ll understand. Telling her will make dealing with your loss better and will stop you drowning in your pain. Let her be your life raft and your anchor.”
Jasiri slapped a hand on Aléx’s back as Aléx watched his wife. He wanted to, he needed to, be with her. He’d just decided that he would tell her when he saw Katia whisper in Regina’s ear. The two women disappeared through the south doors on the other side of the room from where Aléx and Jasiri were standing.
He didn’t know what that was about, but he knew trouble when he saw it.
“I’ve got to get to her now.”
“Katia, whatever this is about, I’m tired and really not in the mood.”
The woman held her hands up in surrender as she stepped toward Regina, leaning down closer to her ear to speak. “One of the aides just asked after you. She was called away by another staffer as she was about to enter the ballroom.”
Regina eyed her carefully, and Katia gave what appeared to be a genuine smile. “Listen, I know when I’m beat. I can’t say I’m happy about it. But I’m also not stupid enough to do something to the queen that could land me in prison for the rest of my life.”
That made Regina chuckle. Of all the things Katia had said, Regina believed self-preservation was the woman’s first priority.
“Did you see which way they went?”
Katia led her to the foyer and pointed her in the direction of the kitchen. Regina turned around to get another glance at Katia. They’d probably never be friends. But she could respect a woman who could acknowledge her losses as well as her wins.
She nodded and walked toward the kitchen, finding it abuzz with activity. There were people zipping around everywhere until they noticed Regina’s presence. At that moment, everyone stopped and bowed their heads.
“Please, don’t let me stop you from your work. I was told one of the staffers was looking for me.”
A young woman in her mid-twenties stepped out of the frenzied bustle in the kitchen and into the corridor. She dug in the pristine white apron that rested against her black uniform dress and pulled out an envelope that she then handed to Regina.
The envelope’s heft and texture spoke of its quality. Her name was scribbled on its front in what looked like perfect calligraphy.
Regina lifted her head to the aide with a pinched brow before she met slightly nervous eyes.
“Who left this for me?”
Chapter Nineteen
Aléx finally madehis way through the throng of people that had delayed him from getting to his wife. By the time he made it through the south doors, he saw Katia walking back toward the ballroom.
He stopped abruptly in front of her.
“What the hell have you done? Where is my wife?”
Katia’s face twisted into confusion.
“She went to the kitchen to find a staffer who was looking for her. After that, I have no earthly idea.”
