Alexis looked over at Wilder helping Katie out of the car, and before she could say anything, Byron said, “Go, Duca. Look after her.”

“Thank you, Principe.”

She hurried over to the SUV. “I’ll take it from here, Wilder.”

“Yes, Duca.”

Alexis took Katie’s arm, and she shot Alexis a look. “You want to help me too now?”

All the other guards were looking at them, so she decided to wait until they got inside.

Alexis said to the guards, “You’re dismissed. Go and check in at the hotel and keep your heads down with the locals.”

“Yes, Duca,” they shouted, and the line of cars began to back up and leave.

“Why aren’t you going with them?” Katie asked her.

She was clearly annoyed about her disappearance over the last week. “Didn’t the Principessa tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Katie said.

Faced with Katie’s clear annoyance, she lost some of her usual confidence. “I’m staying here with you. To look after you.”

“You? You want to help look after me? You stop visiting me and don’t even check how I am, and now all of a sudden you want to help take care of me?”

Alexis felt so awkward and put on the spot. Luckily, Amelia came over to them and put her arm on Katie’s.

“I can explain—”

Alexis interrupted, “Let’s get you inside.”

“I’ll get the bags,” Byron said.

Alexis snapped her head around. The Principe should not be carrying luggage. “Just leave it, Principe, and I’ll come back out and get it.”

“Relax, Duca. I can carry a bag from time to time,” Byron said.

Amelia laughed. “Yes, we need to put her to work for a change. Come on, Katie.”

Alexis had no choice but to follow, holding Katie by the elbow.

They walked up onto the porch, and Alexis did the honours, unlocking the door and holding it open.

The cabin was simple and cosy looking, even without the fire going. They walked into an open plan living area and kitchen off to the side. The living area had a comfortable couch facing a fire, and the kitchen was just to the side. At the back of the living room was a corridor, which led to what Alexis presumed were bedrooms.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” Amelia said.

“It’s really sweet. Thanks for bringing me along,” Katie replied.

“Couch or bed?” Amelia asked.

“Couch, I’m sick of lying down.”

Byron came in with the bags. “I’ll put them into the bedrooms.”

Katie got settled on the couch, and Alexis stood awkwardly, unsure of what to say or do. Then the fire caught her eye.