They rode along the edge of the royal land that sloped to the beach. When they reached an outcropping of trees, Cassie led the way down a narrow trail to her secret spot, one only known to her immediate family.

They reached the small opening in the trees where a stone gazebo had been built when she was five.

She dismounted and looped her horse’s reins around the branch of a nearby tree. “This is my favorite spot.”

“I can see why.” Levi dismounted and approached the structure. “It’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist here.”

“Which is why I love it.” She walked beside him and climbed the three steps. Choosing her favorite bench, she sat and pointed at the break in the trees where the Mediterranean was visible. “I can see the water, but no one can see me.” She paused and looked at him. “It’s like your favorite place at the chateau.”

“It is.” Levi sat beside her and took her hand. “I guess we both like our privacy.”

The oddity of his statement struck her. “If you like your privacy, why did you decide to get a job with the royals? That’s a sure way to put yourself in the spotlight whether you want it or not.”

“I guess you could say I sort of fell into it.” His gaze met hers. “I have to say, I’m glad now that I did.”

“Me too.”

CHAPTER 36

Alejandro sat behind his antique desk, the mahogany surface clear except for a single file. The oddity of Cassie finding out about his illness from the Meridian royal family had raised his concerns, enough so that he had insisted on personally reviewing Darius’s most recent report on the staff and his medical personnel. With the exception of the Canadian doctor his physician had brought in for a consult, everyone in the residence had worked for the royal family since before his wife had passed away.

The file in front of him included the information on everyone of concern, besides Dr. Lewis and Levi. Those analyses would be ready later today.

His desk phone rang. He hit the intercom button. “Yes?”

“Princess Cassandra is here to see you,” his secretary said.

“Send her in.”

A moment later, Cassie entered holding a file folder. “Can I get your opinion on something?”

“Of course.” Alejandro motioned toward the chair across from him. “What is it?”

“Actually, it’s two things.” Cassie sat. “First, I would like to explore the possibility of building a resort outside Porto Blu.”

“On our land?”

“Yes. We own more than twenty miles of that beachfront,” Cassie said. “I’d like to use the section closest to town for a resort. With the increase in tourism we expect, I believe it would be a wise investment.”

“Looking to diversify our holdings?”

“I am. Between the oil industry that will expand here and the possibility of the wind farm, I think it would be wise to diversify into something beyond energy and relying on our tax base.”