“Good girl.” He glances to the side. “I need to go.”
“Okay. Love—”
I don’t get to finish as he hangs up the phone. I stare at the blank screen, jarred from the brisk end to our conversation. What the hell was that about?
Insecurity laces through me as I set my phone down, just in time for Runa to knock on my door and enter the room.
“Lovely, you’re done. Let’s get you dressed.”
I guess I am done.
I put on a fake smile for Runa and follow her into the bathroom. The entire time, my mind is reeling about what just happened.He’s never done that before. Been so distant...especially straight after sex. Was he just using me so he could get off?No. No, that’s not Keller’s style. And I could tell he needed me, needed to see me. Wanted me.
Is it just pre-wedding jitters? Should I just ignore that sick feeling in my stomach?
Is there more at play here than I realize?
ChapterSix
KELLER
“What’s this meeting about?” I ask as I sit down at a conference table with Ottar, Henrik, and Lara.
Henrik places his hands on the table. “We wanted to go over security for the wedding. Since you’re so protective of Princess Lilija, we thought you’d want to be a part of the conversation.”
“Yes, I would,” I say, but based on the avoidance of eye contact from Lara and the uncomfortable silence, I have the distinct feeling that I’ve been called in here for something else. “What’s going on?”
Henrik clears his throat. “We also wanted to discuss a letter we received yesterday, unmarked by postage, delivered straight to the palace by a courier. When we asked who it was from, they said it came from an unmarked folder with instructions.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. “Who is it for?”
“You,” Henrik answers.
I wet my lips and then hold my hand out. “Let me see it.”
Henrik pulls a blue envelope from his leather portfolio and smooths it across the table until I grip it. “We took the liberty of reading it.”
I flap the envelope open and pull out the thick cardstock paper. It’s a rich texture with ribbing on the outer edge, a typed message in the middle. Unsigned.
This message is for Keller Fitzwilliam. We read your engagement article. It seems congratulations are in order. Working your way from the staff quarters all the way to the crown. Impressive feat. Unfortunately, we are not pleased. Not with you or with the future queen. So, your excitement will be short-lived, as we will alter that future. Consider this your warning. See you soon.
My jaw grows tight as I read it two more times.
When I’m done, I glance up at Ottar and Lara. “We need to double our security detail.”
“Our thoughts exactly,” Ottar says, a grim look in his eyes. “We’re already training soldiers from the king’s regimen. Been in service for the king for the past twenty years. Dedicated. Loyal. We’ll be assigning them to you as soon as they’re ready in the next few days.”
“Me?” I ask. “I don’t need security. I’m talking about Lilly.”
Ottar’s brows turn down. “Keller, this threat is aimed directly at you.”
“It’s aimed to hurt Lilly. Don’t you see that? You and I can handle anything that comes our way. Not Lilly.”
Henrik clears his throat. “We’ve spoken to King Theodore, and he has assigned a three-man group to your protection.”
My eyes whip to Henrik. “I don’t need three men watching over me. Like I said, I can handle my own. What I need to make sure is one, Lilly doesn’t hear about this, and two, she’s watched over every second of the goddamn day.” I toss the letter into the middle of the table. “And we need to find out who the fuck sent that letter.”
Calmly, Lara says, “It isn’t up for debate, Keller. King’s orders. You might believe you can handle your own protection, but you have a much bigger target on your back now, and the importance of your life has skyrocketed, meaning, you’re no longer in charge of your own protection. You’re now a protectee.”
