Page 79 of Unmasked

Knocking washed away the awe and lust.

I sat up, glaring towards the adjoining door.

“What?”

Slowly, the door opened. My advisor, Dominique, stepped in. I eased off the bed, knowing if he was here, something was wrong.

“Sire, there’s been a development.”

“Speak.”

His dark eyes lowered only to come up.”

“The man—Theodore.” He paused. “He’s no longer at the hospital.”

I stood taller.

“What do you mean, he’s no longer at the hospital? The only update I should have been getting was that he was dead.”

“We were told the injuries were grave. We arrived to transport him, Your Majesty, but… he’d already been moved.”

My lids narrowed. “By whom?”

“We don’t know.”

My stare hardened.

“That is not an answer.”

“We were told it was authorized but—” He swallowed hard. “There’s no record of who gave the order.”

Rage built as silence stretched out. My mind raced.

“Find him. We are not the most surveilled country without reason. I want every road, every airfield, every fucking private transport looked into.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I turned to look at Penelope.

Someone had moved Theodore. Someone with access. Someone with authority.

What was I missing? Who would do something like that? They’d have to know it wasn’t random. They’d have to… suspect something. Suspect me?”

“Sire, there’s more.”

My head whipped back to him as anger grew.

“More?”

“Yes. You’ve received a few calls.” A long pause. “It was The Sultan, Sire. He’s been calling you. I think given the turn of events, perhaps you should return the call.”

“Do you, now?”

I stepped in, my lip peeling back with the threat. But I knew he was right. Something was happening, and if anyone could tell me, it was my handler.

“Get my phone.”

He nodded, scattering from the room, only to return in seconds. I took it, waiting for the door to shut before I turned back to Penelope. I kept my distance, but I found myself getting closer despite I shouldn’t. Ringing filled my ear and the rich, thick accent rolled through at him answering.