He put a hand on the stone wall and soaked in the view. To his left, the wide stretch of sand gave way to rocks and cliffs. In the other direction, the pristine sandy beach dominated. The fingers of early-morning light played off the waves, and a half dozen fishing boats dotted the horizon. How had he grown to expect to see them there, to see the sun rise each morning over the Mediterranean?

He would miss this. He could hardly believe his time in Meridia was nearly over. For the past two years, the royal chateau had been his home. He had endured three major threats against the royal family and watched the king’s two sons marry and begin their happily ever afters. What had started as a short-term assignment had extended twice already, and each time, he had been relieved to find he didn’t have to go back to the United States and the memories that always haunted him when he was in the country of his birth.

He sensed rather than heard someone approach. Even as he turned, his hand moved to the pistol holstered in the front of his waistband. But he recognized the long red hair before his eyes landed on Janessa’s face.

“It’s just me,” Janessa said, taking position beside him as though she had nothing better to do than to get up and watch the sun rise. Levi knew better. He had worked with the woman for three years before she had married and given up her position with the CIA.

He nodded to her. “Your Highness.”

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to being called that.”

“Sure, you will,” Levi countered. “You’ve been married for almost a year. I’d think it would be old hat by now.”

“Not quite.”

“What’s going on?” Levi asked. “It’s not like you to be down here this early.”

“Did you hear about the incident with the Rossi family in Sereno?”

“Yeah. Assassination attempt on King Alejandro.”

“That’s what the news is saying anyway.” Janessa glanced behind her before continuing. “We think the target was actually Princess Cassandra.”

“Princess Cassandra?” The image of the dark-haired beauty immediately popped into his mind. He had seen her briefly when accompanying Janessa and her husband, Prince Garrett, to a formal dinner in Rome several months ago. Janessa had offered to introduce Levi to the princess, but he had refused. A few minutes in her presence had been enough to understand the princess wasn’t likely to acknowledge anyone in the working class, much less take the time to learn their names.

Levi pulled himself from the memory and noted the intensity in Janessa’s expression. His eyes narrowed. “You want something.”

“Yes.” Janessa wandered forward, laying a hand on the wall. She stared out at the Mediterranean for a moment, not speaking until Levi adopted a casual stance beside her. “Princess Cassandra is arriving by boat sometime late tonight or early tomorrow morning. I want you to take over her security until the investigation is over.”