The Prince and the Player

My grip tightens on her hand. “Zelda told me the truth, and I promised her I’d protect you. My entire secret service is searching for Reginald Winchester. When we find him, he’ll wish he were dead.”

“Reggie did this?” Her brow wrinkles. “But… I don’t understand.”

“I don’t want you to worry,” I say, gently, but she struggles to sit straighter.

“Rowan—is Zee okay? Where is she?”

“She left with a man named Seth. She said you could explain. Who is he?”

“Seth?” Ava exhales the word, and her chin drops. I watch as she rubs her forehead. “She went with Seth? Willingly?”

“She said she owes him money.” Standing, I start to call my security team. “I can stop them if he’s dangerous—”

“No,” Ava shakes her head. “If she wanted to go with him, she must have a plan.

I just… I can’t believe she left me behind.”

It’s not what I want to hear. Returning to her bedside, I take her hand again. “Ava, I want to take care of you. Zee asked me to protect you, and I was glad to say yes.”

Her pale cheeks blossom, but she’s still quiet, thinking. I’m about to tell her everything I want for us when a noise in the lobby interrupts me.

“Where are they?” Cal bursts into the room and pauses at the end of the bed. “Ava—are you okay? I came as soon as I could get away from those damn reporters.”

“I’m a little weak…” she begins.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” I say, explaining to her as well as to my brother what the doctor said. “The gunman was aiming for your chest. You were moving so fast, he missed by inches.”

Her eyes slide closed, and my jaw tightens. I lift her fingers to my lips. “My men are searching for the gunman now. He will pay for this.”

“Jesus,” Cal hisses, walking around the room. “For what it’s worth, Hampton De Clare called Mother,” he says quietly.

“The King of Totrington?” I glance up at his face.

“They’re searching for Wade Paxton. Supposedly, he’s a ‘person of interest.’”

“Is that so?” My voice is low, and I can’t hide my disbelief. “Hampton has been silently funding Wade’s efforts since before Father died. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew what that dog was doing.”

“And now the dog is off the leash.” Cal looks around. “Where’s Zelda?”

My lips tighten. “She left.”

“Left?” His eyes flash at me. “What the hell does that mean?”

“She said she was afraid to stay. She said the reason they shot Ava was to keep her from talking.”

“And you let her go?” He’s out the door, and I give Ava’s hand a squeeze.

“I’ll be right back.” I’m two steps behind my brother. “I have a man watching her…”

I wait as he speaks to one of the guards. “I’m taking two of your men,” he says, typing quickly on his phone. “Freddie and Logan. I’ll have them meet me at the airport with my gear.”

“You’re going after her?”

“Fucking right I am. Where is she headed?”

“Miami,” a soft voice behind us says.

I turn to see Ava is out of her bed, trying to follow us. She’s holding the monitor with one hand and the back of her hospital gown with the other. One more step, and her face pales. Her legs give out, and I’m across the room in a flash, catching her in my arms.