“Of course. Do you have a preference?”

“Whatever you’re making for the staff is fine. Thank you.” Cassie ended the call and made her way to Levi’s door. She knocked, not surprised when Ivan answered. “How’s the patient?”

“Doing well. We finished his physical therapy a few minutes ago.” Ivan opened the door wide to allow Cassie to pass through.

She walked into the empty living room and glanced out the french doors leading to the balcony, where Levi was sitting with a file open in front of him, his gaze on the horizon.

Cassie opened the balcony door and stepped outside, then closed it behind her to ensure privacy. “Mind if I join you?”

“Hey there.” Levi started to stand.

“Don’t get up.” Cassie sat opposite him. “I spoke to the doctor a few minutes ago. Darius is going to make it.”

Levi’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “I’m so glad. Ivan mentioned Theo and one of the other guards returned to the palace this morning.”

“Yes. We expect everyone will be back by the end of the week, except for Darius. It will take him another week or so before he can come home.”

“They’re all coming back here while they recover?” Levi asked.

“My father and I agreed that it would be best. This is their home,” Cassie said. “Unfortunately, it’s going to be a while before everyone is well enough to return to work.”

“Which leaves the royal guard seriously shorthanded.”

“Yes. I spoke to Annabelle this morning. Both of my sisters are anxious to come home . . .”

“But no one wants them here until their safety can be guaranteed,” Levi finished for her.

“Yes.” Memories of working with Levi rushed into her mind. She had trusted him with her family’s safety once. Could she do it again, knowing he had deceived her for so many weeks? Wings of hope fluttered inside her. “The doctor said you’ll need a few more weeks of physical therapy before you’re back to full strength. How would you feel about helping me increase our security force?”

“You want me to help hire new guards?”

“Yes.”

“That’s putting a lot of trust in me, especially after what happened.”

“Are you talking about Julien breaching the grounds or you being CIA?”

“Both.”

“From what the guards have pieced together, Julien and his friend came through the east fence,” Cassie said. “Had they waited another week, they never would have made it onto the grounds.”

“That’s true,” Levi conceded. “When will the enhanced fencing be done?”

“Saturday. The new scrambler for their communication system arrives tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“Yes, our security force saw the wisdom of your suggestion,” Cassie said.

A knock sounded on the balcony door before it opened and Ivan carried a tray outside.

“The kitchen staff sent this up for you.” He set the tray on the table. “Are you okay for a few minutes while I go get some lunch?”

“I’m fine,” Levi said. “Take your time.”

“Thanks. I’m going to check on our other patients, but I should be back in a couple hours.”