“Flicka von Hannover is involved with this,” Arthur said back to him. “She probably told them.”
Twist chuckled. “She’sinvolvedin everything.”
Dree stepped toward Maxence, though she kept her chin up and stared Magnus Jensen straight in his face, or at least from under his chin.
Casimir called out something in Dutch, a language that sounded like a cross between Norwegian and English, over Maxence’s shoulder. Some of the words wereKorps Commandotroepen.
Magnus Jensen glanced back at Casimir, and a smile lifted one side of his mouth as he replied in the same language.
Casimir laughed.
Magnus Jensen’s smile faded. “In addition to myself, contact points for this operation will be Specialist Aaron Savoie and Specialist Aiden Grier. We have eighteen other operators at your disposal for the duration.”
When he introduced the other two men, Maxence noticed the redhead staring at something behind him.
When he glanced back, Arthur was glaring back at the redhead, but neither of them made a move toward each other.
Maxence asked his three buddies, “Do you guys want guest suites at the palace so you can freshen up? You guys just flew in, right? You guys aren’t in a hotel or something?”
Arthur straightened the leather jacket he wore. “I would appreciate it.”
Casimir nodded. “Yeah, it would be nice to rest for a few minutes before I get back on a helicopter to Nice and then a plane to the Netherlands.”
Twist shrugged. “I’ll just go home. It’s right down there.” He pointed toward the marina and the Monaco Yacht Club at the bottom of the cliff.
Maxence texted Tommaso to secure suites for Arthur and Casimir for the afternoon or a few days, not knowing how long they would be there.
Magnus Jensen gestured to the door. “If you will come this way, sir.”
Maxence settled his hand on Dree’s back, his fingers contacting her bare skin because she still wore her shredded ball gown from last night. The mercenaries fell into formation around them. They wore sidearms, Maxence noticed, and other weapons were strapped to their belts.
Magnus Jensen and the Rogue Security operators escorted Maxence and Dree directly to Max’s palace apartment, where they walked through the rooms, pulling aside the drapes and checking in closets, plus examining surfaces with some sort of handheld electronics with a wand before they allowed Max and Dree to enter.
Tommaso met Arthur and Casimir at the door of Maxence’s suite and peeled them off the entourage with a quiet word. Maxence knew Tommaso would take excellent care of them because he always did.
Maxence said to Magnus, “You seem to know your way around the palace.”
Magnus nodded. “What is your schedule for the day, sir?”
“Miss Clark and I will freshen up and rest, and then there is a Crown Council meeting at six o’clock in the palace throne room that I will attend.”
Magnus took notes on his phone. “Is that essential, sir?”
“Yes,” he said. “It’s the most important thing in my life.”
Dree wandered through the room, trailing her fingers over the sumptuous fabric of a chair.
Max corrected himself. “Almostthe most important thing, but it’s exceedingly important for today.”
“We will provide security. Can we secure the throne room in advance of your arrival?”
“Absolutely. I’ll call Quen—” Max swallowed. “I’ll call the acting head of my Secret Service to arrange access.”
Magnus nodded. “I’ll have security standing guard outside your door. If there’s anything you need or if you decide you will leave this apartment, please call me on my cell to arrange for your safety.”
Maxence realized the problem with that. “During the kidnapping and rescue this morning, I lost my phone. I’ll need to acquire a new one.”
Dree grinned and exclaimed, “Oh, I have your phone!” She reached into the top of her ball gown up to her wrist, and Maxence stepped between her and Magnus Jensen.
