“Not at all,” Levi said.

Garrett closed the door between the kitchen and breakfast room to ensure privacy, and everyone settled into their seats. “I haven’t had time to read through the latest security reports,” Garrett said. “Tell me what’s happened the last few days.”

Levi filled him in, leaving out Cassie’s theory about the motive for the bank robberies.

“Then everything is pointing to money as being the motive,” Janessa said.

“So far,” Levi said. “Once we get the list of oil companies who employ Pantheon Security, Cassie will help me narrow down the possible suspects.”

“Hopefully, only one of the finalists will be on the list,” Cassie said.

“You said you’d have that tonight, right?” Janessa asked Levi. He caught the cryptic meaning that Janessa was giving rather than receiving information.

“Yes. I expect it will help the investigation tremendously,” Levi said.

“Have you had the chance to discuss your theory with your father?” Garrett asked.

“They spoke briefly yesterday,” Levi said.

Cassie looked at Garrett and Janessa. “Obviously you’ve heard the news.”

The realization surfaced that Cassie believed he had learned of her father’s illness from the Meridian royal family. His stomach clenched. He couldn’t possibly give her the real source of his knowledge.

Janessa glanced from Cassie to Levi and back again. “I haven’t heard anything specific. I’m sure you know a lot more than we do.”

“I’m afraid not. Levi told me about his cancer, but he didn’t have details either except—” Cassie broke off, clearly struggling to keep her voice from breaking.

Levi put his hand on hers. “Finding out her father is terminally ill has been understandably difficult.”

“I can’t begin to imagine,” Janessa said.

“You have our deepest sympathies,” Garrett added.

“Thank you.”

“What can we do to assist your family?” Garrett asked.

“I think you have already done more than enough in assuring my safety.”

“That was a good beginning,” Janessa countered. “Levi, do you need any help with the investigation beyond the resources you currently have?”

“Actually, I would like access to the security team in Sereno,” Levi said. “With her father’s health declining, Cassie would greatly benefit from being able to return home.”

“That’s risky,” Garrett said.

“If you knew you had a year or less to spend time with your father, wouldn’t you want to take all the time you could?” Cassie asked.

“I would,” Garrett said, “but I also know my father wouldn’t want me to risk my life to do so.”

“It sounds like our fathers are very similar in that regard,” Cassie said.

“The burden of leadership.” Garrett stretched his arm behind Janessa’s chair and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Ensuring the continuity of the royal family is every bit as important as balancing duty and love.”

Cassie nodded but didn’t respond.

Janessa put her hand on her husband’s as though uniting them. “Levi, you want to be involved in upgrading their security?”

“I do.” The thought of sending Cassie home without him pushed a new idea to the forefront, one that spilled out in his words before he thought to censor them. “With your permission, I want to go with her when she returns to Sereno to ensure her safety.”