“Yes. Too many issues if you ask me. But my island was removed, forgotten and we liked it that way. The morning of,” he stopped and swallowed, shaking away the images, “the morning of the attack it was like any other. Warm, beautiful sea breezes. My wife and I were having breakfast on the terrace.”
“Do you have children?” asked Eric.
“No,” he said shaking his head. “We were not blessed with children. The men came from nowhere. I didn’t see them arriving by the sea and I should have. The other side of the island is extremely unforgiving terrain. It would have taken highly skilled men to climb the cliffs and come via that route.
“They said nothing. They shot my wife, my dogs, the staff, and then took me into custody. I was told to renounce any connection to the throne or I would be killed. As they were transferring me from one location to another, there was a protest in the square and I was able to escape the hold of one of the guards and flee. A kind fisherman took me to a cargo ship owned by his brother-in-law and I was transported directly here, to New Orleans.
“I’ve tried to contact the embassies, your president, anyone who would listen but it seems no one wants to listen to an old man. An old man whom others believe is mad.”
“You’re not mad,” said May squeezing his hand. “I don’t know that we can prove your lineage to Alexander the Great but it won’t matter. You are who you are. You have a direct line to the throne, which shouldn’t even matter any longer since it’s a parliamentary government.”
“It is a weak government,” said Nicolai. “I was openly distrustful and critical of how our country was being run. I should have just kept quiet. What’s happened to my island? To my people?”
“We’re trying to find that information right now. None of this was publicized on the news. Why do you think that is?” asked Cam.
“I’m of no consequence, young man,” he said staring at Cam. “Although, something inside of me tells me you are older than you appear. It doesn’t matter about me. Truly it does not. If they said I was no longer a prince, then so be it. I would just want to continue to live and help the people of my island.”
“Nicolai, it’s been my experience that when someone conquers someone else, or a country, or island, it’s because they are trying to hide something or they need something you have,” said Luke. “Did the island have any minerals? Oil, gas, anything along those lines?”
“I don’t believe so. We never mined for it. The Greek islands are very rocky and have been transformed over the centuries by massive earthquakes, the shifting of earth. I have to believe if that were present, we would have found something.”
“Regardless, there is something on that island they want, beyond you. If they only wanted you to renounce any claims to Greece, they would have killed you as well. You didn’t have children to carry on. Siblings?”
“No. I am the last of the line,” said Nicolai.
“Nicolai, you have no reason to trust us or believe us, but we can help,” said Luke. “This is what we do. We solve problems, mysteries, and we are very, very good at stopping the bad guys.”
“How do we know who the bad guys are?” asked Nicolai. “I saw no faces.”
“No but you stood before someone who wanted you to renounce your claims. That person is identifiable.” Nicolai shook his head.
“No. His face was covered like the others. I did not see him.”
“So, we’re not sure this was instigated by the country?” asked Eric. “That’s important, although the Greek authorities didn’t seem to come to your defense.”
“My island is insignificant to them. None of this makes any sense.”
“I beg to differ, sir,” said Hex. “Something about you, or your island, is significant. That’s what we need to find out.”
“So, you’re going to help me?” he asked with surprise. Luke looked at the others and nodded.
“We absolutely are going to help you.”
CHAPTER SIX
“Nicolai, my name is Ajei. Luke is my husband. This is Sophia Ann, she’s married to Eric. Kate, married to Cam and Gwen, married to Hex.”
“Lovely women. Are any of you Greek?” he grinned.
“I’m afraid not,” laughed Ajei. “I’m Navajo, so is Sophia Ann. Gwen is Athabascan, an indigenous tribe from Alaska. Kate is a mix of French, English, and other northern European backgrounds.”
“There must be Greek within you or you could not be so beautiful,” he smiled. The women laughed, nodding at the man.
“Nicolai, there are some rules while you’re staying here. We don’t tell anyone where we are located. It’s important to the safety of our family and friends,” said Kate.
“I understand. Honestly, I’m not sure where we are, other than near New Orleans.”
“That’s good enough,” smiled Sophia Ann. “We ask that you don’t leave the property without someone with you. We don’t know if your life is in danger or if anyone is looking for you at this time.” Once again, he nodded.
