by Alice Ward
He looked confused, which was a relief because that meant he hadn’t seen his mother get shot. “What about Mom?”
“She’s here. She brought the bad men here. They wanted Maddie and she helped them.”
Instead of looking shocked, he looked mad.
“She got hurt,” I went on, unsure of how much to admit. For me, the truth was always best, but he was only seven. And seriously, how much could one kid take? “I don’t know how badly she’s injured, but hopefully an ambulance will come and take her to the hospital. Hopefully they can make her better.”
A tear slid down his cheek. A sad tear? An angry tear? A disappointed tear? I wasn’t sure. But it was just that one.
In front of the house, car doors slammed. A moment later, I saw the front door open, and a cop rushed in, gun drawn. Another came around the side, his gun drawn too. Very slowly, I lifted my hands in the air, the gun I’d forgotten I was still holding dangling from my finger. Beside me, Kylian raised his hands too.
“Put down the weapon.”
Inch by slow inch, I did what I was told.
Then, the house became a whirl of activity as an ambulance arrived as well as more police, including detectives.
Danielle would live, I was told, and the humane side of me was glad. The sick side of me wasn’t. It would have simply been easier if she hadn’t, but life wasn’t meant to be easy. I’d deal with her later.
Right then, I had more important things to do.
After dealing with the detectives’ questions, I was told that the house was a crime scene and that we wouldn’t be able to enter. I looked down at my boxers. “Can I at least get some clothes?”
The detective looked me straight in the eye. “No, but I can have someone get them for you. Tell Officer Patton what you need.”
We were a quiet bunch as I drove us back to the city. As Joyce had promised, the Porsche had been sitting in the driveway this morning.
“I can’t believe that I have no clothes or possessions again,” Madalyn sighed, leaning her head back on the headrest. Although the kids and I had been given clothes from our rooms, everything else was left as part of the crime scene. For Madalyn, they had let her take nothing other than what she was currently wearing. No money, no purse, no identification. Nothing.
With all the trouble she was in, I was glad she was focusing on that.
It wasn’t a crime to fake your death, I learned from the detective. But in committing pseudocide, other crimes were almost always committed in the process. Like illegal entrance into another country. Like acquiring a false identity. Those were illegal, and Madalyn was guilty of both.
It was a miracle they even let her leave with me. But after a long call with the American Embassy, she was quietly granted diplomatic immunity because of her royal ties. And also because her circumstances were so extreme. No one was able to dispute the danger she would have been in had she stayed in her country and married that bastard.
Legally, she should be okay. I already had attorneys working on it. But whether she would be able to stay in America was another question.
I reached over and took her hand in mine. Dad and I had always talked about a French division of Armstrong International. That day might come sooner rather than later.
We would find a way.
It was late evening when I pulled up in front of The Dakota and groaned at the flock of vultures loitering in front of the gate.
“I’ll drive around and see if the other entrances are better,” I said, but Madalyn shook her head.
“No. This is fine. I have something I need to do.”
Finding a place to park was as maddening as ever, but once we were all out of the car, I took her hand. “Are you sure?”
She met my eyes. “Yes. But you might want to take the children in first. I—”
“No,” Kylian said simply. “I’m staying with her. I’m not afraid anymore.” He gave me a sheepish look. “Well, mostly.”
I rumpled his hair. “Mostly is good.”
“I’m staying too,” Kenzie said, reaching up to be held.
Madalyn swung her up, and I wrapped my arms around them all. “So, we’ll do this as a family then.”
Madalyn swallowed hard, nodding, unable to speak.
And when Kylian pulled the small kennel filled with dog and puppies from the backseat, our family was complete.
The reporters and paparazzi were on us the second we came around the corner. They shouted questions, then all grew quiet when Madalyn raised her hand.
“I have something to say,” she said, looking into one of the cameras. “I am Madeleina Birgitta and I faked my death two weeks ago…”
I watched her, completely and totally in awe as she explained why she’d done something so drastic.
“To the people of Aldcliff, I offer my most humble apologies and ask for your forgiveness at my deception. When I fell off that boat, I knew what I was doing would hurt others, and that knowledge brought me great pain. But I wanted to live…” For the first time since she began speaking, tears filled her eyes. “And to live, I had no choice but to die.”
There was more. The details that she gave freely, only leaving out the names of those who had assisted her on her plight. Patiently, she answered questions and then so did I as the questions were directed at me.
I saw a softening of the reporters’ faces as I spoke of how Madalyn and I had saved each other on the day we met. I reminded them of the tremendous sacrifice she made by going after Kenzie.
“So, the person who stole your duffle bag got away with nearly a million dollars?” one reporter asked in awe.
Madalyn nodded. “Yes, but they can keep it.”
A male reporter asked, “Why?”
“Because if that person hadn’t stolen my bag, I wouldn’t have found the real treasure. My new family.”
Everyone collectively sighed.
When Madalyn looked like she was going to drop, I cut the interview to an end. Picking up the crate of dogs, I hustled her and the kids through the crowd. Now that I had a princess on board, I really did need to hire those bodyguards, and quick.
Once safely inside The Dakota gates, I found another familiar face waiting for us. And as before, she was loaded down with bags and boxes filled with new clothing for Madalyn.
The two women hugged. “So, can I add ‘styled a princess’ to my resume?” Lydia asked.
Madalyn gave her the most regal looking nod I’d ever seen. “But of course.”
“Me too, me too,” Kenzie cried. “I’m going to be a princess too when Daddy and Maddie get married.”
I groaned, and Lydia’s eyebrows shot straight up to her hairline. “A wedding? How fun.”
Madalyn held up a hand. “No. I mean…” she looked at me, “Kenzie is just jumping the fence…”
I thought about correcting her, but after the day we’d had, I never wanted to say the word “gun” again.
“I’m not jumping the fence, either,” Kenzie returned and rolled her eyes. “When will you people learn? I’ve been telling Kylian that you’re getting married for forever now. You all need to catch up.” She rolled her eyes again. “D’accord?”
EPILOGUE
Maddie
I didn’t think I’d ever see the palace again.
But here I was… walking up the same steps I, not long ago, wanted to throw myself down.
It had taken several weeks for all the legalities to be taken care of in New York, but I’d mostly come through it unscathed. Which I knew was unfair. If I’d been a normal woman who’d met a normal man and who had done what I did, it would be much worse.
In return for the mercy I was given, I was currently working on establishing a foundation whose sole focus was on helping women who were trapped in situations involving domestic violence. I wasn’t sure if it provided enough redemption, but it was a beginning, and I wanted to do more. In fact, now that I’d escaped the confines of my old life, I wanted to do much, much more. Both here in Aldcliff
and in the United States.
My getting a green card was still being determined, although a huge Facebook group of women were rooting for me to stay. #LetHerStay had trended every day since the press conference, so I was hopeful. And thankful. It was so wonderful to be wanted.
The palace doors opened, and my mother rushed out. Soon, I was wrapped in her arms. As her scent enveloped me, the deepest sense of gratitude wrapped around me too.
“Thank you, Mama.”
I’d already thanked her many times when we’d spoken on the phone since my impromptu press conference. I knew she was okay, and I knew she’d confessed to my father to have assisted me in my escape. But neither of us ever mentioned the captain. As if by some unspoken agreement, we’d never even acted as if a third person had ever existed. He was a secret I was comfortable taking to my grave.
“You’re welcome, my darling. I couldn’t be more delighted with the outcome.”
I looked over at Xander, who looked so very handsome in his dark gray suit. “Me too.”
Papa was just inside the door, waiting for me when I stepped inside. My stomach churned as nerves assaulted me. Discreetly, Mama led Xander and the children away as I faced my father.
“I owe you a heartfelt apology, my dear.”
I nodded, appreciating the acknowledgement, but I wasn’t surprised that he’d given it. What surprised me was when he pulled me into his arms. I didn’t remember the last time he had done so, if ever.
“I was wrong,” he said. “I refused to see the truth of the situation. With your resilience, I thought you’d have him charmed and wrapped around your finger within a week. I deeply underestimated the man and his penchant for evil. Will you forgive me?”
I kissed his cheek. “Of course.”
What started as a happy day grew even more glorious as my brothers and sisters arrived, their flock in tow. Xander was immediately accepted while Kylian and Kenzie were pulled outside to play with my nieces and nephews.
I couldn’t ask for more.
But I received more.
Tears and well-wishes from our staff, past and present. I spoke of my adventure in Central Park with my English tutor, and when I saw Franz, I gave him the biggest hug.
“You will never know the important role you have played in my life,” I told him. He first appeared stunned, then smiled and laughed as I explained the various dishes I’d made, the successful ones and the failures.
My brothers both surprised me with their affectionate hugs. Although we were siblings, the heir and the spare had been raised in separate parts of the palace. We didn’t know each other well.
“Any American girls I might like?” Jacques asked with a little wiggle of his brow.
I laughed. “Father would genuinely drown me if I made such an introduction. Besides, won’t your betrothed…” I wrinkled my nose at the word, “be announced soon.”
The future king grinned. “Actually, no. Father has given me permission to choose. You, dear sister, have apparently destroyed that archaic tradition completely.” He kissed my cheek. “Thank you.”
All that was missing was CeeCee, but she and the puppies were staying with Lydia, who was quickly becoming my closest friend. Just this morning, she sent me a picture of the group, all dressed in “Bow wow to me” outfits she’d custom-made. She was a total goof.
When the director of public relations handed me a piece of paper with a gibberish of numbers and letters on it, I was confused. “These are the passwords to your social media accounts, Princess.”
“Really?”
She smiled. “Really. The King asked that I give you the key, so to say, to your public identity. You may use them at your discretion.” She lifted her hands in a prayer position. “Might I beg that you use them wisely?”
I grinned. “Are pictures of puppies and children allowed?”
Her smile grew wider. “Of course.”
“Then I promise to use them wisely.”
That evening as we all sat around the dining table, regaling each other with tales of our prospective lives, I knew this was how it was supposed to have always been. A part of me mourned my lost childhood, what I’d missed because of the solitary meals that had been part of my strict upbringing.
But I didn’t focus on the loss. I focused on the gain.
I didn’t focus on the escape. I focused on the arrival.
I focused on the man and children I loved.
The man and children who loved me too.
And that night, as Xander slipped inside my body, his hot flesh pressing down on mine, it was my turn to make an affirmation.
“We are free.”
We.
The we was important.
The we was everything.
Xander
I was seriously going to be sick.
At best, I thought I might throw up. At worst, crap my pants.
Even with a gun pointed at my chest, I’d never been this nervous.
“Your majesty…” Hell, I could barely remember what to call the man. I’d almost fallen over when I attempted to bow. I needed to pull my shit together and quick.
Madalyn’s father. Shit…
She was Madeleina again. We’d discussed her name at length and decided to honor the name of her birth. Her past. Of course, to the kids, she would always be Maddie.
While I liked Madeleina well enough, I didn’t like her last name at all. Because it wasn’t my last name, and if I could get my damn mouth to work properly, I would be taking a huge step toward correcting that.
But her father was sitting on his fucking throne — A. Real. Fucking. Throne. — an eyebrow raised nearly to his crown. A. Real. Fucking. Crown.
A little intimidating, to say the least.
I took a deep breath. “You know the entire story of how I met your daughter.” I barked out a laugh. “Hell…” was I allowed to say hell in the monarch’s sovereign presence? “the entire world knows of our relationship, but they don’t know this.”
Damn. Couldn’t the man smile or nod? Something?
“I love your daughter. I know we haven’t known each other very long, but…”
I shut my mouth. I almost said that she hadn’t even known the damn bastard prince when they were engaged, but I managed to hold my tongue.
“But…?” the king prompted, looking half bored and half amused.
“But what we don’t have in length we have in depth, and I deeply love her. And I want to marry her. With your permission, of course.”
King Phillipe lifted his hand and tapped an enormously gaudy ring against his bottom lip, and the seconds passed by.
Then a minute.
Two.
My intestines were playing jump rope with my stomach, and I was sweating down the crack of my ass. Dammit, man. Say something.
“Permission granted on one condition.”
What was the jail sentence for throttling a king?
“What condition is that?”
“You must bring her back to Aldcliff at least once a year. Now that I’ve found her, I don’t want her to disappear again.”
Instead of tap dancing around the room, I simply nodded. “Consider it done.”
We stared at each other, and I wasn’t certain what I should do next. Some dude in a red velvet uniform saved me, stepping forward and waving me toward the door.
Did I bow again? Say thank you?
Why couldn’t these people be normal?
As I walked out of the oppressive room and away from the oppressive man, I found it a wonder that Madeleina had evolved into the sweet, caring woman that she was.
But she was sweet and caring, and just about every other positive trait I could think of too.
It took a while to find her, but find her I did.
She was on the beach with Kenzie and Kylian as well as many of her other nieces and nephews. The children were all playing while Madeleina lay on a lounge chair, talking to her sisters and mother.
“What if he’s upset?”
That stopped me. Upset about what? And was she talking about me?
“He won’t be,” one of her sisters, Marguerite I thought was her name, said, leaning forward and touching Madeleina’s arm. “He seems like a very special man.”
“Yes,” another sister, Constance perhaps, agreed. “And he seems to really love you.”
Madeleina didn’t seem convinced. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
Too soon for what?
“Well, it’s too late now,” the eldest, Cecile, said matter-of-factly.
“Indeed,” her mother added and placed a hand on Madeleina’s stomach. “It’s a reality now. I’m sure you will both enjoy every precious moment with the wee one.”
My legs wobbled a bit.
A baby?
We’re having a baby?
All the women turned. Shit. I said that out loud.
Madeleina’s hand flew to her mouth, and she jumped to her feet. “Xander—”
“We’re having a baby?” I said again, deliberately this time.
She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. “Yes. The family physician confirmed it less than an hour ago.”
I narrowed my eyes. The doctor she told me had made such a big deal of her hymen? No way in hell was he delivering my baby.
Madeleina looked stricken, and I realized it was because I was frowning while thinking of the doctor. I unfrowned immediately and moved toward her, not stopping until she was in my arms.
Sighs chorused around us as I kissed her, swinging her around.
When I put her down, she laughed. “You’re not upset.”
I kissed her again. “No. Not at all. I’m thrilled actually because it makes me even more certain that you’ll say what I hope you’ll say.”
I reached into my pocket and took a deep breath.
No time like the present.
Gasps chorused around me this time as I went down on one knee. This wasn’t how I planned it, but I needed her to know that I’d wanted to marry her before I learned of the baby. I needed her to know this very minute that I wanted her for her.
The children, all sensing that something was up, came running up the sand and huddled around us too.
