Dirty Thief

He leans closer, filling the air around me with the scent of cigarettes and stale whiskey. “You must think I’m working alone.”

It’s an ominous statement, and he quickly glances up behind me before pushing into the growing lunch crowd. He’s gone, disappearing farther into the downtown area and out of sight. I can’t move. I’m paralyzed, holding the card while trying to hold myself together.

A voice calling snaps me from my haze of fear. “Your highness?”

Turning, I see the black towncar is behind me. Hajib is crossing the space to where I’m standing, and to my right a photographer is approaching just as fast.

Hajib takes my hand. “Please get in the car, your majesty. I’ll take you to the palace.”

The card is still in my hand. My heart is still beating erratically. I’m wondering how much he saw of what just happened.

“But… my Vespa,” I say softly.

“One of the men will retrieve it for you.”

Leaning back in the seat, my fear melts into anger the farther we get from the café. I’m not a little girl anymore. How dare he threaten my niece? Still, the threat is like frost on my skin. Digging in my bag, I pull out my phone. Two touches and my sister is on the other end.

“Zee?”

“Hey, Ava-bug!” She sighs like she’s lifting something. “I haven’t heard from you in a few days. What’s up?”

Baby chatter is in the background, and my chest clenches. “I need you to come here. Now. On the next flight.”

She laughs in my ear. “What?”

“Seriously, Zee, I need you to come to Monagasco for a little while. Please.”

“Did something happen between you and Rowan?”

Frowning, I look down at the card. “No… Why would you say that?”

“He just called Cal and said basically the same thing.”

My jaw drops. “He did? Why?”

“Something about diplomacy. What’s your excuse?”

Chewing my lip, I think about how much I want to say. At this point, only Rowan and I know what’s happening. If I tell Zelda Dwayne Vega threatened her daughter, the whole story will come tumbling out.

“I just miss you,” I say. “Does this mean you’re coming?”

“Cal’s ordering a jet. We should be there by Friday.”

The fist in my chest unclenches. I blink back tears and press my fingers over my mouth, fighting for control.

“You still there?” Zee’s voice turns warm.

Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I nod. “I’m here. I’ll be so glad to see you.”

“Hang in there, Ava-bug. I won’t be long.”

The towncar stops as I end the call. We’re inside the palace gates, and Hajib stands to hold the door open for me. I nod a thank you, slowly walking to the staircase leading to our wing of the palace. My head aches, and my insides feel strained and tired. I’ve never felt so exhausted in all my memory. Pushing through the door to our bedroom, I consider taking a nap. Instead I stop in place. Rowan is sitting in the red velvet armchair facing me, and his eyes glitter with anger.

“Rowan?” I release the door, letting it close softly behind me.

He stands and crosses the room, gripping my arms so hard I cry out in pain.

“Did you leave Occitan without telling anyone?”