“Why did you let Theo come to work here if you knew he was an Escobar?”

“I did it to protect you.”

“Protect me how?”

“He came to me shortly after his father died. His younger half brother learned of his heritage and tried to kill Theo to get one spot closer to the throne. Theo rightly assumed Julien intended to kill you and your sisters.”

“Which is why you upgraded security.”

“Yes.” Alejandro put his hand on hers. “I’m so sorry I let him get too close.”

“It’s not your fault,” Cassie insisted. “And you made sure Annabelle and Victoria stayed safe.”

“I should have let you go with them to the hideaway.”

“My place is here,” Cassie said. “Now that Julien is dead, we can make our home safe again so my sisters can return.”

“I’d like that.”

Elliott returned holding two glasses of water. He offered one to Cassie and the other to Alejandro.

“Thank you.” Cassie took a sip and set the glass aside. She motioned to her ankle. “Uncle Elliott, can you please arrange for someone to take me to the hospital?”

“There’s no need for that,” Alejandro said before Elliott could respond. “I’ll send for Dr. Marois. He can treat your ankle here.”

“I know, but I want to see Levi and check on our wounded guards.”

“The hospital will give us updates. I don’t want you out in public right now,” Alejandro said. “Besides, I already told you who Levi really is.”

“I know who he is,” Cassie said.

“Then you understand why it’s best to keep your distance.”

The experiences of the past two hours culminated in her mind and gave her a new sense of clarity. She couldn’t deny the sense of betrayal she had experienced when she’d learned of Levi’s deceit, but when faced with danger, Levi had put her first every time. “Papa, Levi saved my life. I want to be there for him.”

“Absolutely not. I forbid it.”

Cassie pushed to a stand and turned to face her father. “You have two choices: you can either accept that I’m going to the hospital or you can arrange for him to recover here. The decision is yours.”

“Have you forgotten that I am your father?”

“I haven’t forgotten, nor have I forgotten that you are my king,” Cassie said. “But whether you want to admit it or not, Levi is the reason I’m still standing here. I owe him my life.”

“Don’t let your gratitude confuse the truth.”

“Like I said, I know who Levi is. It’s not a fact I’m likely to forget anytime soon.”

Alejandro motioned to Elliott. “Can you please help Cassie to her room? I’ll make the call to the hospital.”

“Yes, sire.”

* * *

Levi lay back on the stretcher as the paramedics rolled him through the hospital entrance. He lifted the cell phone he gripped in his hand to check the time. Over an hour had passed since Janessa’s call, an hour with no news.