Logically, he knew Belinda’s decision to break protocol and go into the warehouse outside of Kiev had caused her injuries. What she didn’t know was that Levi had killed two Russian operatives while trying to protect her. He had killed for the first time, and it had been her fault.

Coming to terms with Belinda’s mistake and the results of it had taken time, but he had done it. He had even tried to explain to Belinda why he had distanced himself from her, but she hadn’t wanted to hear it. She had spun the events in Kiev into an alternate reality.

Instead of her choosing to enter the warehouse before Levi had cleared the area, she believed he had told her everything was safe. She had convinced herself that Levi had stopped visiting her because he hadn’t wanted to see the burns on her arms and neck or the reminder that they were his fault.

His phone rang, pulling him from the memories. Levi picked it up to find Janessa on the other end.

“Got a minute?” Janessa asked.

“Yeah. What’s up?” Levi leaned back in his seat.

“I checked with King Eduard a few minutes ago. King Alejandro is still refusing help on analyzing their security issues the night of the shooting.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Levi said. “Neither one of us would be quick to let another foreign intelligence service view our internal security procedures.”

“You’re right, but I was hoping.”

“That makes two of us.”

“How is everything going with Princess Cassandra?” Janessa asked.

“We’re making it work. I’m taking her into the village this afternoon,” Levi said. “I think she’s getting a little stir-crazy.”

“Hey, you made it three days without leaving the grounds. That’s not bad.”

“When are you and Garrett getting back?”

“Either tomorrow or the next day. My father-in-law is taking advantage of having us at the palace.”

“Wearing a lot of party dresses, are you?”

“Ha ha,” Janessa said dryly. “I’ve been meeting with your replacement actually.”

“It’s about time a final decision was made,” Levi said, even as he dreaded the changes that would follow his replacement’s arrival. “When does he arrive?”

“She. Her name is Rachelle Bourgeau. She came over from Interpol around the same time Noelle and Jeremy started their training,” Janessa said. “King Eduard likes the idea of having someone in your position who hasn’t come up through the ranks of the royal guard.”

“Keeping people who think outside the box, huh?”

“The king is a wise man.”

“Does this mean I need to start cleaning out my office?” Levi asked.

“No need to deal with that yet. Rachelle can use one of the desks in the security office while you’re still here,” Janessa said. “I want you to have that extra privacy while Cassandra is at the chateau.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I figured you would. Also, Garrett wanted me to invite you and Cassandra to a dinner party on Saturday night,” Janessa said. “It’ll be a small affair, only twenty or so guests, mostly members of the ruling council.”