Page 27 of Royal Salvation

Santini leaned in close so only he could hear. “Playboy says hello.”

White-hot anger made his vision go red and it took every ounce of control he’d ever had not to launch himself at Santini and demand answers, but he knew that was exactly what he wanted him to do. “He was never a friend. He’s nothing more than a piece of shit who gets Daddy to clear up the mess he leaves behind.”

“Hm, he said you’d say that, so he said to check your email.”

Before Reaper could respond, the King was walking down the corridor of the hospital with his entourage, including the Queen, Princess Maria, and her husband. Guards flanked them on all sides, but it still made his teeth grind to see Santini position himself close to the Monarch.

“Your Majesty.” Bás and Reaper dropped into a bow in deference to the King and the barely contained fury on his face.

“How is my daughter?”

“They’re with her now, but she was talking and coherent until they gave her pain relief.”

“I’ll go and speak to the doctors, Father.” Maria gave him a small smile and slipped into the room with her mother behind her, the door closing before he could get a good look inside to see that Lucía was, in fact, okay.

“How did this happen?”

“We haven’t got the full details yet, but we believe an RPG hit Felix’s car. The force of the blast launched our vehicle into the air.”

“Felix was fired yesterday after we discussed his behaviour.” The King stood tall, his bearing very much that of the leader he was. “Why was he following you?”

“That we don’t know but we have our best analyst going through the footage now to see if we can glean any information.”

“I want a report on my desk first thing tomorrow.” His eyes moved to Bás before returning to Reaper, challenge and warning in the powerful man’s eyes. “If you’re not up to the task of protecting my daughter and keeping her safe then please tell me now so I can find someone who is capable.”

His pride bruised by the words which he knew in his heart were warranted, Reaper straightened. “She’s safe with me. Now I know the true extent of the threat, I’ll take measures to ensure her safety.”

King Juan looked at him and then his son-in-law, who nodded slightly.

Santini smirked thinking he’d won this round, but he was about to find out that when someone poked at wounds as old and raw as he had, then they were likely to get caught in the crossfire.

“Fine. Don’t make me regret this.”

“I won’t, and, sir, if I may ask, can we meet privately first thing to discuss the report?”

Reaper saw the look pass between the two security specialists and knew that Val and Bás were taking in every nuance too.

“I’ll arrange it myself.”

Santini puffed up his chest. “Sir, I really must object. You know very little about these people.”

The King turned on his head of security, giving him a look that would reduce most men to a weeping mess. “I suggest you do your job and find out why there are so many holes in my security, or you’ll be looking for a new job come morning and will be objecting to nothing.”

Santini nodded, his jaw rigid with anger at being taken down like that in front of them and his men.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my family.” He glanced to Santini. “You may head back to the Palace. Your men and these people will ensure me and my family get home safely.”

Reaper nodded as Santini walked away with his man, the two muttering low but the conversation was obviously intense. King Juan and Lucas headed in to see Lucía, and Reaper was once again reminded who he was to her. He had no rights to her so why did he have to fight the urge to push past them all and hold her in his arms until he was sure she was okay?

Bás glanced down the corridor where Santini had gone. “We need to figure this out fast. There’s way more going on here than we realised at first.”

“Yeah, there is, and he mentioned something I need Watchdog to look into. He said we have a mutual friend in Playboy.”

“The man from your old team?”

Val looked confused as she glanced between them, her hand fidgeting at her side as if she was missing her dogs, who were usually a constant at her side.

“Yes. Have Watchdog see if there’s a link between Santini and Playboy and Chess, and do a deep dive into Santini and his men. He’s as crooked as a dog’s hind leg and I’d bet money that you’ll find something in his background that the King’s team didn’t.”