Chapter 44

Dimitri watched the get-together with as much cool dispassion as he could muster, a distant part of his mind acknowledging Lauren’s skill at managing the announcement of Henry’s death. Her parents were startled—then outraged, especially when she explained how Henry had come to the island searching for her, and how he’d used a threat to Maddie to close the net. Dimitri sensed the grim undertone to her father’s reaction, though. He wasn’t shocked, not entirely. On some level, he’d known the truth about Smithson, Dimitri was certain. Known it and turned a blind eye.

No wonder Lauren had distanced herself from them.

Dimitri observed their interaction keenly, knowing that he’d be called on to report this incident, to detail the reactions, the words, the protestations. To identify any potential risk to the Crown, even now, when the trouble was past. He did all this work with detached, intense focus.

But inside, he was fighting his own losing battle with his temper.

He’d seen the truth in Lauren’s eyes, there in her chamber. He’d heard what she’d said to Nicki, when she thought he was still asleep. Despite what the queen might believe, Lauren was already withdrawing from him. And why shouldn’t she?

Lauren didn’t understand—couldn’t understand—that when his queen commanded his action, he acted. But the queen’s order to return to Lauren was only half the equation here. The American remained convinced that his interest was some sort of duty to her, some obligation that she could sweep aside with her checkbook or the promise that she’d take care of herself, when that wasn’t remotely the issue.

It was her choice to accept or deny his protection, yes. But it was his choice to offer it to her. Even knowing...knowing what that would mean to his life, his service to the crown. His promise to the gods. She may not choose him, in the end. He might make this sacrifice, give up everything—for nothing.

But seeing her now, so strong and steady…

How could he not promise her everything?

“I feared something like this was going on. But I didn’t act, not fast enough.” The crack of Mr. Grant’s voice recalled him, and he realized Lauren’s father was looking at him now, his eyes hard as diamonds. In that moment, Dimitri was reminded that this man was a tycoon in his own right, a savvy businessman. And the ashen cast to his cheeks betrayed his guilt. He was correct. He hadn’t acted. Not quickly or well enough. And that was his own burden to bear.

Mr. Grant cleared his throat when Dimitri didn’t respond. “You saved her, didn’t you? You took her over to that island. You protected her.”

“Dad, it was his job—” Lauren began, but though anger flared quick and hot through Dimitri, he didn’t need to speak.

Her father did it for him.

“It probably was his job, Lauren,” Mr. Grant said, his voice now gruff with emotion. His gaze never left Dimitri’s face. “We all have our jobs. If we’re smart, we do them really well. But it’s not anyone’s job to make it personal. That’s what he did, made it personal. And that’s probably why you’re alive now. Alive and safe. Both you and your sister.”

Lauren drew herself up stiffly. “You knew Henry had targeted Maddie?”

“No.” Her father grimaced. “But I suspected she was the next likely pawn in his game. A pawn like you were, for far too long. I had plans in motion to take Henry down—finally—but the marriage documents...I didn’t expect that.” He shook his head. “He said you wanted it as much as he did, and I didn’t know how to respond. Not until I spoke to you, and I didn’t have the chance.”

Lauren stared at him. “Wait. What are you talking about? What plans to take him down?”

Her father shook his head, and when he spoke, he sounded as if he was coming from a far distance, his voice remote, stark. “When Henry Smithson showed up in my office twenty-three years ago, he was the most extraordinary young man I’d ever met. He was quick and smart and above all, hungry. I wanted him to be my protégé, my pride and joy, and he was. He so was. I wanted to show off a young newcomer in business who could be as successful as I was, and he exceeded my every expectation. He was perfect.”

He sighed. “There was only one time that I doubted him, one time that I saw beneath the fa?ade. A business deal we closed unexpectedly, due to Henry. It was only after the papers were signed that he revealed the sort of leverage he’d placed on our business partners. Leverage that wasn’t legal, let alone ethical. But no one complained, and the deal was the biggest of my career to date. Still, I was shocked—and distanced myself for a time. I truly did. But all too soon, I’d forgiven him.”

Mr. Grant’s gaze was fixed on the far wall, as if he tried to remember how that had happened. “It was as if nothing had ever turned sour between us. And then, later, when he expressed an interest in you, well...it seemed that he was eager for approval. Our relationship stabilized. His business grew apart from mine, and I allowed myself not to watch him too closely. But neither would he let me stray too far.” He winced. “He needed me, you see. For legitimacy. For acceptance. Me, and by extension you. I saw that, in the end. I couldn’t see how to extract myself from the situation and keep my family safe. He’d grown so powerful by then. I’d begun working with the authorities, but I was too slow.”

He shifted his gaze to Dimitri. “You have my thanks, Captain Korba. More than that, you have my gratitude. Thank you for returning my child to me, my family.” He sighed heavily. “Thank you for returning my life to me.”

“Sir.” Dimitri bowed as Mr. Grant turned and frowned down at Lauren’s mother, who was weeping quietly, having sunk down to the couch, her head in her hands. “Shall I call for assistance with your wife?”

“What?” He looked up again, then his mouth creased into a tired smile. “No. I have a feeling everything’s going to feel a little lighter now.” Leaning over, he helped his wife to her feet. The two of them turned to Lauren then, and Mr. Grant’s face betrayed his expectation of her rebuke, her disdain.

“Lauren, I have no right to ask for you to forgive me. Henry Smithson was everything I’d ever wanted to be in business, but younger, stronger. And he seemed to look up to me, which played to my vanity and pride. He took what I gave him and grew it fourfold. When I questioned his success, he had all the right answers, and I took those answers at face value. I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him.”

He straightened further, as if he was facing a firing squad for a crime he fully accepted committing. “When he showed attention to you—even affection, eventually—I’m ashamed to admit I was relieved. I felt certain that with a family bond I could control Henry, ensure that all my work with him would make him an honorable man. Surely, softened by his feelings for you, he would take the higher road. When you—your mother—suggested that he was stalking you, causing you distress, all my old doubts resurfaced. But I confess I didn’t want to believe you for a very long time. Too long.” He shook his head. “And when I finally did, I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t risk Henry catching on. Everything I did was in the background, weighing, watching, hoping I would be quick enough to spare you any more danger. I wasn’t.”

His face looked hollow now, his words barely a whisper. “I should have trusted you, though, trusted your strength. Your skill. Perhaps if I had, you would have been spared this trial. Of all the things I have done, not trusting you to be the extraordinary young woman you are is my greatest regret. I’m sorry, Lauren. I have no right to ask your forgiveness, but I hope one day you can give it.”

Dimitri’s gaze riveted on Lauren. She had no reason to forgive her father, in truth, no reason to accept his halting, stilted explanation.

The Lauren of a few days ago might not have.

This one, however, stepped forward, enveloping both her parents in a sure embrace. “We’ll be okay, Dad,” she said, her voice cracking. “Take care of Mom now. You and I—we’ll talk. We will.” She hugged him tighter. “We’ll be okay.”

“Lauren.” Her father seemed to collapse a little into himself, accepting his daughter’s embrace with a racking sob. Dimitri watched, marveling at the scene. The child comforting the parents, when they had never been there for her when she’d needed them most. Her mother might not have understood the importance of Lauren’s gesture, but from the look on her father’s face, he did.

Both parents were crying by the time they left the room.

Lauren watched them go, and when she spoke, her voice was strained. “I didn’t expect that,” she said shakily. “I assumed… I mean, all this time. He was working with Henry. They were friends. Since the time I was very small, they’d been friends. He was always at our house, at Dad’s work. He was simply… present. It never occurred to me that Dad doubted Henry. Not once.”

Dimitri nodded, though she hadn’t turned to him. “And now? How does that change things?”

“I don’t know,” she murmured, finally turning to him. “He’s gone, Dimitri. I chose to confront him and now he’s gone.”

He held her gaze. “You’ve done everything you needed to do to protect your family. Your sister.”

“I have,” she said, as if trying to convince herself. She seemed lost in the middle of the sumptuous room, drawing her confidence and style around her like a cloak. But her eyes were stark and empty as she glanced away, unsure of where to look next, unsure of what she’d see when she did.

He could help her with that.

He moved closer, then closer still, reclaiming her attention. “I’d be honored if you would make another choice, Lauren,” he said. “About the role you want me to play in your life.”