But he hadn’t let it sway him. He was like his father in many ways, but he knew he’d never betray the woman he had given his heart to. He’d never betray his family by turning his back on them. That was where they differed entirely.
They also differed in that Logan faced his problems head on and made decisions quickly to rectify them. It was what he did best. He only hoped he had made the right one this time.
With a few members of his team finishing up, Logan called Margaux into his office. She had done an amazing job of pulling various source materials together and he’d likely offer her the position as his private secretary when everything had settled down. ‘Margaux, it’s two in the morning. You need to go home. And don’t rush in tomorrow. In fact, I’m fine if you want the day off. But tell me, has Cassidy called the office?’
‘No, sir. Not that I’m aware of.’
She hadn’t called him on his cell phone either. She was probably asleep.
In his bed or hers?
‘But Gerome did leave a message earlier to say that he had taken care of Miss Ryan’s request.’
‘Request?’ A cold feeling of dread chased away the anticipation firing his blood, everything in him going still. ‘What request?’
‘Apparently Miss Ryan left the palace some hours ago.’
‘Left the palace?’
‘Yes, sir. She wanted to be taken to the airport, so Gerome arranged a car. Is there something wrong, sir?’
Given his plans, yes. ‘You should have told me earlier.’
‘I’m sorry, I only checked the message five minutes ago.’
Logan dismissed her and turned toward the window, staring out at the dark night sky. She’d left, after he’d specifically asked her to wait. It didn’t make sense. Why would she have done that?
Apart from the obvious—to get home.
‘This isn’t my home.’
Logan’s jaw clenched. Well, it damned well was going to be if he had any say in it.
‘Your Majesty?’ Jason, his head of PR, spoke quietly behind him. ‘If Miss Ryan isn’t here, do you want us to pull the—?’
‘No.’ Emotion churned through him. Emotion mixed with a good deal of anger that she hadn’t trusted him enough to sort this. ‘Leave everything in play.’
A grim smile twisted his mouth.
In his country they had a saying he’d long lived by: Al hombre osado la fortuna le da la mano.
Fortune favours the brave.
He certainly hoped that held true because he had a feeling he would need it now more than ever.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. They’re still outside.’
Cassidy buried her head under her pillow against the evening sun streaming in through her back window as well as against her sister’s voice.
‘You should probably close the blinds,’ she croaked. ‘I’ve heard the paparazzi have telephoto lenses and if they come over the back fence they’ll get what’s called the money shot.’
Peta glanced out the window, a frown marring her brow. ‘They wouldn’t dare. Dan would take them out at the knees. He’s already nearly come to blows with several of them out the front.’
Cassidy didn’t want to hear that. The last thing she wanted was for Dan to get into trouble because of her.
It was all because of her.