Dirty Thief

“Who is that, Bee?” My sister gives her daughter a boost. “Say Ava?”

She does it again, and I squeal again. “That’s right! Ava!”

We do it for another few minutes until my toddler niece starts squirming to get down. Zee releases her and pops up to

talk to me.

“What’s the latest around the palace? The queen mother driving you crazy?”

“She’s actually gone most of the time now.” I return to my seat in front of the laptop. With Zelda facing me, I can pull up the windows again.

“That hardly seems fair,” my sister complains. “She’s always there when we visit.”

“Speaking of, when are you coming for another visit? I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“You’re seeing me now.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Get Rowan to make up a reason, and we’ll fly up.”

Narrowing my eyes, I chew my lip. “I’ll have to think of something.”

We continue chatting a while longer. I tell her about my orphans. She complains it’s too dangerous on the continent, and it’s time we moved the whole operation to Tortola. She tells me the latest news on Belle and her latest project around the island. The sun is setting when we finally say our goodbyes and disconnect.

Miami is on the same time zone as my sister, so it’s midday in Ramona’s world. Ditto Emily, but the sun is setting on London. I pull up a knee and rest my chin on my hand as I wait. I’m sure I’ll catch a glimpse of her coming home this time.

The clock ticks, and I wait. My phone hums with a text, and I see my friend Kass is headed on some regional tour with Reggie to personally talk about Rowan’s referendum and my orphans.

I know you’ll win everyone over to our side, I text back.

He’s letting me bring Logan!!!

I grin at her excitement. The king is awesome like that.

Please tell him I said thanks so much.

I’m about to text her back when it happens. I almost drop my phone when a young woman appears on the screen jogging up the walk. I don’t know how I know it’s her—it could be anybody. Still, I put the target on her face and zoom in.

My chest clenches when I see her. It’s like the photograph has come to life. She’s dressed in a short, dark coat, and a hat is on her head. I can’t tell if it’s raining, but her legs are covered in dark tights and she’s wearing stylish booties.

She still has the same thick shag of bangs, and while she looks very focused on going home, I can still see that little girl in her face.

She’s real.

They’re all real.

It’s time I come clean to my husband and figure out a way to take care of them.

Chapter 7

Rowan

My eyes spring open in the darkness. The French doors stand open, but it’s been almost a week since I stood looking down at the sea, thinking about my beautiful wife. Starting a family has turned into almost a game. It’s our secret pastime—we’re constantly slipping around attempting to score. Earlier, I half-teasingly suggested we try to christen every room in the palace, and she readily agreed. God, I love my wife.

Only now something is wrong. Our bedroom swirls with her scent of jasmine mixed with the sea, but Ava is gone. I sit up, straining my eyes in the dim light. Where is she?

I rip the covers aside and search around for my pajama pants. Stepping in, I jerk them over my hips and go to the bathroom.