Chapter 28 – Xavier
“I’m sorry, sir, there’sstill no response from his office. They won’t give out any information. One of Mia’s friends who works on the floor below his office said there were talks of the man’s resignation but nothing concrete. I’m following up on the other lead and should return in a day or two.”
“Thanks, Wilkes.” I cut the call and stared out the window, frustration giving me a headache. My bodyguard, currently in Turkey following a possible lead on Zarina Shah, was nowhere near finding Kabir.
Ramone brought the car to a stop outside the castle doors, climbed out, and came around to open my door. I stepped out, rolled the tendons in my neck, and glanced around, appreciating the open space I called home, momentarily forgetting my troubles. Then I looked upward at the curtains billowing in the breeze through Mikaela’s balcony door. An immediate smile slid over my lips.
“Everything is ready for dinner, sir.” John met me at the door. “Your guests should—”
“Guests?” I stopped walking.
“The wine exhibition, sir,” he reminded, perplexed.
“Oh, yes, that’s tonight.” I dragged a hand down my face, remembering I’d offered to host a friend’s imported wine exhibition to a group of wine connoisseurs. Hungry for new flavors, they’d spend elaborate amounts on the product. “I’m guessing it’s too late to plead a headache?”
John chuckled. “Given its only forty people, I could easily do that for you, sir.”
My laugh soft, I patted his shoulder affectionately. “Has Mikaela come out of her room yet?”
“No, sir. Would you like me to fetch her?”
“Thanks, John, I’ll handle it.” As I walked away, the idea of getting Mikaela to join me for dinner popped into my head. It would be the first time with guests; given it wasn’t such a big group, it was ideal for her exposure. I paused to look at him. “Set an extra plate, will you, John?”
“For Rhett, sir?”
“Rhett?” I frowned.
“Yes, sir, he visited with Mikaela earlier and said he’ll be back for...” I must’ve looked stupefied for John to trail off, his expression courting remorse. “I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t—”
“He visited with Mikaela?” I found my voice. She’d never let anyone near her before. I found it strange she allowed my nephew into her room.
“Yes, sir. I thought you knew since he’s been by a few times.”
Given Rhett was always here, I didn’t question John but wondered why I was only finding out about this now.
“They had lunch together. On his way out, he said to let you know that he’ll be back for dinner,” John added, oblivious.
Still surprised, I nodded and headed upstairs. Ten minutes later, after a quick shower, I slipped into a charcoal dress shirt, matching trousers, socks, and black shoes before strolling across the landing. I stood at Mikaela’s door and watched her paint for a bit. Her creativity was astonishing. A week ago, she’d asked me for a paint set, an easel, and canvas. When I asked if she’d like magazine cutouts of landscapes, she calmly refused, saying she now had natural landscapes, referring to the view outside her window. While she’d accompanied me on her first shopping spree three weeks ago, getting her to go outside again was proving to be a battle on its own.
“Good evening,” I said softly.
