“Sounds good.” Levi verified that Noelle was staying with Cassie before he proceeded to start his sweep. A few minutes later, he and Jeremy met back at their vehicle.

“My side is clear,” Levi said. “You?”

“We’re good.” Jeremy waved at his wife, who climbed out and opened the back door for Cassie.

Levi retrieved the cases that contained his guns and handed them to Jeremy. “Can you take these? I don’t want any of my weapons left unsecure.”

“No problem.” Jeremy slid the straps over his shoulder.

Levi unloaded the other bags and pushed the ones with his personal belongings aside to retrieve Cassie’s first. He turned two back-to-back so he could pull them one-handed.

“I can take something.” Cassie reached for her carry-on bag.

“That’s one way to blend in,” Levi said. He wasn’t sure what had happened to the woman who had waited for everyone to tend to her needs, but he rather liked this version of Cassie.

“If you take that one, I think we can get it all in one trip,” Jeremy said. He took two cases with one hand and a third with the other, the gun cases hanging from his shoulder.

Noelle retrieved the remaining bags and closed the trunk. “Ready?”

“Lead the way.”

* * *

Mixed emotions worked through Cassie when she entered the side door and started down the hallway toward her private quarters. The staff was noticeably absent, but tonight it was due to the security imposed for her arrival rather than the late hour.

Avoiding the main entrance where the shooting had taken place, Cassie took the path that ran along the back wall of the palace. They crossed through the grand ballroom, with its high ceilings and dripping chandeliers, past the music room, with the grand piano and full-sized harp, and through the main gallery, where many of her parents’ favorite paintings were displayed.

“You have a beautiful home,” Levi said, walking beside her.

“Thank you. The views from the ballroom windows are amazing when the garden lights are on.”

“Are they usually on?”

“Yes.” Cassie’s steps slowed, a sense of unease coming over her.

“I had them turned off,” Jeremy said. “I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t be visible from the outside when we walked through.”

Cassie noticed Jeremy adjust his grip on one of the suitcases and realized that half of them were Levi’s. “Has a living space been assigned to Levi yet?”

“The captain of the guard said he could stay in the staff quarters.”

“Where are the staff quarters?” Levi asked.

“In the wing opposite the residence,” Cassie said. “If it’s all the same to you, I thought you could stay in one of the guest suites. We have two in the residential wing.”

“Aren’t those typically saved for close friends and family?” Noelle asked.

“Levi qualifies,” Cassie said. “Besides, I’d feel better if he isn’t so far away.”

“That makes two of us,” Levi said.

“I’m not sure if the room will be made up for you, but we should be able to find linens and towels,” Cassie said.