“I’m here, Your Majesty,” Levi said.

“And you think you can help us sort out our internal matters?”

“I would like the opportunity to try,” Levi said. “King Eduard and his sons can give you a reference as to my ability and loyalty if you would like.”

“Call me back in five minutes.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Levi disconnected the call and faced Cassie. “I guess he’s doing my background check.”

“Don’t take offense. He doesn’t know you.”

“I’m not offended. I would be concerned if he didn’t check me out before trusting me with government secrets.”

“You have been doing this a long time, haven’t you?” Cassie’s eyes narrowed. “How old are you anyway?”

“Twenty-nine.”

“That’s awfully young to be in charge.”

“I grew up in this business,” Levi said. “My father was one of the best criminal investigators I know.”

“You learned from him?”

“Not exactly.”

“I don’t understand.” When Levi didn’t expand on his answer, Cassie pushed for details. “You’re asking my family to let you into our private affairs. The least you can do is let me understand where you come from.”

Levi leaned back in his chair as though debating how much to say. “My father spent most of his career profiling the motivations of criminals. He used that knowledge to identify who committed a crime.”

“And?”

“Let’s just say I prefer to prevent crimes rather than react to them.”

“Which is why you went into security instead of law enforcement,” Cassie said. “Where is your father now?”

“He retired a few years ago.”

“Do you talk to your family often?”

“A couple times a month. Texting is usually easier on all of us because our schedules rarely match up.” Levi checked the time. “Slide over. I need to reestablish the connection.”

The map maximized on the screen again, new lines appearing through new cities.

Exactly five minutes from the time Levi had hung up with her father, he initiated a new call. As soon as her father answered, Levi asked, “Sir, did you get the answers you were looking for?”

“Cassandra?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Give him everything he needs,” King Alejandro said. “Mr. Marin, keep me informed, and keep my daughter safe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The call terminated from the king’s end.

Cassie leaned back in Levi’s chair, her eyebrows raised. “I didn’t expect him to agree so quickly. King Eduard must think very highly of you.”

“He does.” Levi leaned against his desk. “Now that you have permission, tell me what I need to know. What was in those safe-deposit boxes?”

“A treasure map of sorts,” Cassie said. “The keys to Sereno.”

“I don’t understand.”

Cassie stood and paced across the room as she debated how to explain over four hundred years of history. “I’m not sure where to start.”

“The beginning is always a good place.” Levi crossed to the sofa and motioned for Cassie to sit.

She settled onto the couch and waited for him to sit beside her. “In the 1600s, Sereno was a hotbed for piracy. The king of Spain sent out two ship captains to take over Sereno and stabilize the region. If successful, one of them would be granted all rights to the island.”