“That’s right,” Jeremy said.

“Wouldn’t that mean he wasn’t involved?” Cassie asked.

“Either that, or the people he was working for made sure he didn’t live to tell about it,” Levi said. “We’ll keep digging to see if we can determine which one. Regardless, any time I’m not with you, I want one of my friends nearby.”

“I doubt you’ll let me out of your sight except when I’m sleeping,” Cassie said.

“You have a point.”

“Does my father know I’ve arrived?” Cassie asked Jeremy and Noelle.

“Not yet,” Jeremy said. “We knew he would be asleep by the time you arrived and thought it best to let you see him in the morning.”

Disappointment crested, but she pushed against it. They were right. Her father needed his strength, and a middle-of-the-night conference wasn’t in anyone’s best interest.

Noelle made the last turn toward the palace, and Cassie’s heartbeat quickened in anticipation. She was really home. Tonight, she would sleep in her own bed, and in a few hours, she would see her father and finally be able to talk to him face-to-face.

* * *

Levi’s first thought when he saw the Sereno palace was that he had arrived at Disneyland. His second impression brought with it a sense of dread. While aesthetically pleasing, the palace had been built on a small bluff overlooking the Mediterranean, and the buildings of the neighboring city encroached it on two sides.

From the security lights spilling over the wrought-iron fence that surrounded the palace grounds, Levi could barely make out the coastline. “What’s on the far side of the palace?” Levi asked.

“It’s family land. We own everything from the coast to the top of North Mountain,” Cassie said.

“Duck down,” Jeremy said from the front seat. “A few paparazzi have been known to stake out the entrance.”

“Even this time of night?” Levi asked.

“Especially this time of night.”

Levi and Cassie both leaned down so they weren’t visible as they approached the palace gates. The car slowed almost to a stop before increasing speed again. It wasn’t until they parked in the garage that Jeremy said, “Okay, we’re all clear.”

Levi straightened and took in the well-lit garage. He counted six cars to his left. His view to his right was obscured by another SUV.

“Wait here for a minute,” Levi told Cassie. He climbed out of the car as Jeremy did the same. “Is there a clear path to Cassie’s living quarters to bring in her luggage?”

“Reasonably,” Jeremy said. “I suggest we carry as much as we can now. Noelle and I can come back down for the rest.”

“I don’t want all of us laden down with luggage,” Levi said. “Makes it hard to draw a weapon.”

“I have guards standing by at the entrance to the palace and at the corridor leading to the residence, but I’ll understand if you want to keep a hand free.” Jeremy motioned to the far side of the garage. “Let’s clear the building, and we can unload.”