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Chapter 28 - Shane
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I look at my reflection in the mirror. I want everything to be perfect.
I have to admit the fact that her uncle is Charles Elliott is very daunting. He is one man who can find anything and everything about an individual which has me shaking in my boots.
It wasn’t until I had gotten home last night when the reality of the situation finally sunk into me. I’m sure that Charles’ security company already knows about the pictures and the threatening messages. However, the security has never come to my parent’s apartment, so I can only assume the security company doesn’t know where I’m staying. After questioning my mother this morning, I also have discovered that the building has multiple layers of protection for the noble families. One of those protections is a blocking system that doesn’t allow anyone’s phone to provide a GPS location to anyone trying to trace it. I’m not r
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To Protect the Crown Chapter 29 - Dee
With a big smile spread across my face, I collapse onto my bed. Images of my date with Shane flash through my mind. I still can’t believe that I have agreed to go on another date with him. Surprisingly, Uncle Charles approves of our next date too.In the back of my mind, I know the reason Uncle Charles agrees is because he wants me to dig up more information about Shane and why he has received those messages from that disposable phone. I know my uncle is right, but a larger part of me doesn’t want to use Shane.Even though my mind and heart are battling with each other, my heart is winning most of the time.I can’t refuse the fact that Shane and I are drawn to each other. Our chemistry is mind blowing. Without even knowing it, I flirt with him. I don’t even know how to flirt, but when I’m around Shane, it comes out without even thinking.One sligh
To Protect the Crown Chapter 30 - Charles
I scan through the reports and pictures of Dee’s date last night. I have to admit that Shane was a perfect gentleman. He opens doors for my niece and lets her pick the movie. He didn’t try anything in the dark movie theater either, which is a little bit of a surprise. Regardless, I still have this gut feeling that he is hiding something more than his family’s background, which clearly the person who has sent him all those threating messages doesn’t have any clue about. As I continue to go through the reports and pictures, Max quietly sneaks into the room and sits down across the table from me. Before he has a chance to say anything, I bark, “Has Trevor been able to get anything off of those pictures in Shane’s messages yet?” I turn my focus towards my best agent, who slides to the edge of his chair and nods. “Yes. Trevor has finally been able to enlarge the pictures and keep the quality of the image.” He
To Protect the Crown Chapter 31 - Dee
With my lips curled in a smile, I glance through the various reports on my desk. The office is still rather quiet, since there is about an hour before the office hours begin. However, I can’t sleep for some reason, so I have thought I would get a jump on the work for today.Oh, who am I kidding? I know exactly why I couldn’t sleep. A certain pair of eyes and a tender kiss keep lingering in my thoughts.A small giggle escapes my mouth as I lightly tap the pen against my chin. However, my mind is wishing of something instead of the pen touching my chin.I shift in my seat as I clear my throat. What am I doing? I need to stay professional. I have work to do.I shift a bit more and settle into a comfortable spot, as my focus turns back to the reports on the monitor and on the desk in front of me. Now instead of a giggle, a sigh slips from my mouth when my attenti
To Protect the Crown Chapter 32 - Charles
I glance down at my brother, who is still lying motionless on the hospital bed, while anger pulses through my veins. I want to get the people who did this.With each passing day, keeping the King’s condition a secret gets harder and harder. More people are wondering where he is and why he hasn’t been seen since the attack. With each question, a growing number of people are wondering if something serious has happened to him.However, it is too early to confess his true situation. I know Dee is as passionate about finding the attackers as I am. I’m not going to stop her from searching, but she also needs to realize if things go sideways, she may have to come out of hiding. This will be the first time since the royal family has enacted the hidden heir protocol many generations ago that the protocol may have to be exposed and an heir come out of hiding.I hope that we don’t have to get to
To Protect the Crown Chapter 33 - Shane
My fingers hover over my laptop’s keyboard. However, instead of the story that is due, the only thing that keeps running through my mind is that amazing kiss with Deloris. Scratch that. I should say amazing kisses, because once I had tasted the pleasure of her lips, I couldn’t stop at one innocent kiss.Gulp.The corner of mouth edges upward as her warmth once again radiates from my lips. She is amazing.I wish I could have met her sooner. Why have I never seen her there before? Oh, yeah. She was abroad and has only recently come back. However, I don’t remember her as a child being at those parties either. I’m sure that I would have remembered her being there.Her warm caramel brown eyes are something that I can’t easily forget.Our time on the hillside under the faint moonlight and the twinkle of the stars comes flooding back to me.&
To Protect the Crown Chapter 34 - Dee
I sit up straight in my chair, and I slowly scan around the conference table.Still nothing. I have some of the best people working for me, but we can’t seem to get a simple clue.I turn my attention towards Trevor and clear my throat. “Tell me something good. Did you get something about either the disposable phone or how the person got into our highly secure system and deleted one schedule?”He shifts around in his seat before he straightens his back. He doesn’t shy away from my stare. Instead, he looks directly at me and pushes his glasses up. “Well, we have found some things. Unfortunately, not enough to give us a clear idea of who or where they are at.”Yes. Finally.I nearly catapult from my seat. “What is it?”Uncle Charles, on my right, nods his head and demands, “Spill it. We need to know.”
To Protect the Crown Chapter 35 - Shane
With my phone to my ear, I chuckle and lean back on the dining room chair. “Sir, I have more than one contact person. Any good reporter would have another avenue to get his or her information. That way, if one source is closed down, I can still write the stories and have the inside scoop.”I’m not going to tell my boss that my inside source is my mother. If I do, he would know that I’m part of the noble class, and I would more than likely loss my job. I’m not going to let that happen.With a cheerful tone, Blane retorts, “Yes. A good reporter always has more than one way to get to the information. I have to say you have impressed me on this one, Shane. We are the only outlet that has this much information. Whoever your source is make sure you don’t loss it. I expect more insightful stories about the nobles and the royal family coming in the future. Do you underst
To Protect the Crown Chapter 36 - Dee
I don’t know what Uncle Charles is thinking. Why would he all of a sudden insist on me going to some noble person’s apartment to answer questions? He is perfectly capable of doing that himself. He doesn’t need to drag me into it too.I grunt under my breath as I march towards the solid mahogany door. The brass doorknob sparkles as if telling me this is the way. As I stop in front of the door, I sigh, and once again, I wonder why I’m here.I have too much stuff going on back at the office, so I need to make this quick. With my irritation etched across my face, I push the doorbell.An eloquent set of bells in a calm and welcoming rhythm seep through the door. My slight frown slowly gives way to a small smile. That is the same doorbell chime that my parents use at their private villa in the mountains.The initial coldness along with the air of wealth
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To Protect the Crown Epilogue - Dee
I bite my lower lip as my fingers fidget with my pants. My eyes are glued up front at the judge as he turns to the jury box and the jurors. “Have you reached a verdict?” The court room falls into complete silence. A lady stands up and announces, “Yes, we have, your honor.” My breath catches. This is it. I silently pray that this is the end of this chapter of our lives. The judge nods. “On the first count of attempted murder regarding the attack on the King, what is your verdict?” I hold my breath as I lean slightly forward. “Guilty.” YES!! I turn to my side and huge my husband, Shane, as tears stream down my face. I have so many things I want to say, but I can only manage to mutter a few words. “Yes. Finally.” His strong arms wrap around me and hold me tight. His voice cracks as he replies, “Yes. We finally have justice.”
To Protect the Crown Chapter 74 - Dee
As I bite the inside of my mouth, I take a deep breath. I need to stay focused. My eyes jump from one video to the next, hoping to spot my boyfriend and my uncle. However, I can’t find them anywhere. I bite down harder as my heart races. Please make sure Shane and my uncle are alright. Even though my mind is in a whirlwind and my heart is racing, I force myself to stay on task and finish what we have started. I keep my eyes on the various videos while I bark orders into the microphone. Each passing moment seems to stretch on forever. Periodically, I glance back at the video for my father’s hospital room, making sure my parents are still alright. My heart wrenches as my eyes stop on the various videos of people running and screaming. Even though I have the sound turned off on them, their screams still echo in my head. Several injured people are being helped away
To Protect the Crown Chapter 73 - Dee
I look at the solid door for a moment as my heart squeezes.Thoughts rush through my head, imagining all the various things that could have happened to Shane.Please tell me he is alright. I can’t lose him now. I just found him.I take a deep breath.I’m surrounded by complete silence, which amplifies the banging from the earlier bullets which is still ringing in my ears.I have been around gun fire before, but this time seems to be different. However, the only difference is I’m now the queen instead of the head of security.A loud bang against the door reminds me that even if the room is a safe room, if Irene’s gang really wants to get me, they can find a way through the thick steel door no matter how many locks are on it or how much security is around.I take a deep breath.My mind goes back to our plan. I must follow the plan.&nbs
To Protect the Crown Chapter 72 - Dee
I glance around the corner and look into the castle’s press room. The reporters are scanning through their notes, while the camera crews and photographers setup their equipment behind all the chairs.My stomach churns. This is it.My mother’s harsh words in protest over this come flooding back to me. Somewhere out there are some of Irene’s group of goons.My eyes dart to the various corners of the room where additional security staff are at, while I unconsciously run my hand over my stomach. My fingers linger along the edge of the bullet-proof vest. However, I don’t find comfort in it.Before today, I wouldn’t think anything about whether there are bullets aiming for me. I would find relief in them being aimed at me instead of my family. However, I’m the queen now. If something happens to me, my uncle will have to step forward an
To Protect the Crown Chapter 71 - Dee
An eerie silence consumes the room.No one moves as all eyes are locked on the open door.Each passing second seems to stretch on for more like minutes or even hours as we wait to hear anything that will ease our worries.My mother is still frozen in the middle of the room while Shane squeezes my shoulder and whispers, “Everything will be alright.”I wish I had his confidence. I’ve seen the doctor’s report and have talked extensively with them. I know the cold, hard truth. Neither of my brothers has good odds. It seems they took the bulk of the impact trying to protect Katherine and her unborn child.However, I don’t protest. I keep my eyes fixed on the door and nod.My stomach suddenly sinks as some monitor in the distance belts out a solid buzz.The screams from the staff fade away as my mind screams, “NO! THIS CAN’T BE
To Protect the Crown Chapter 70 - Dee
Even though I’ve been in this room several times. This time, it is suffocating me.The sight of my father trembling as he looks at Brandon and Katherine from his wheelchair while his eyes fill with tears. It only takes a few seconds before those tears then stream down his face. The tremor along his lips and the pain in his eyes are too much for me, but I can’t leave.My voice cracks as I gently lay my hand on his arm. “They are getting better. Remember, the doctor said Katherine could wake up any minute. That is a good sign.”He puts his hand on top of mine and nods. His shaky voice also cracks as he whispers, “Yes, it is a good sign.” Standing behind his wheelchair, my mother pats his shoulders. “Honey, it will only be time now. Then we can have our family back together again. I have faith they will return to us.”I wish I
To Protect the Crown Chapter 69 - Irene/Dee
Irene POVMy stomach sinks as I stare into Charles’ crazy eyes. His anger radiates off him and slams into me like a ton of bricks, along with the table.However, that doesn’t affect me. No. He is trying to bring my parents into this. He can’t do that. They have nothing to do with this.I did this all on my own. My rightful place is next to my husband as the country’s queen. I did this all on my own.Robert is so much better than Brandon and my husband desires to be the king more than his brother does. But because Brandon is older, he gets to be the king first. That is so unfair.Shouldn’t the better leader be the one to lead the country? Of course, I would be the queen then. Everyone would continue to look up to me instead of Katherine. She is nothing compared to me.The throne is meant for us, not th
To Protect the Crown Chapter 68 - Charles
I march into Dee’s office and take a seat behind her desk, which is now my office and my desk. I didn’t think in a million years I would be back here. I thought once I retired, I would only be brought on the rare occasion something like what has when my brother has occurred. However, now, I’ll be back here every day. A small part of me is disappointed I’m coming back, but another part of me is happy, not because of the events which have brought me back, but because I can stop moping around the house. I hate to admit it but retired and I don’t work well with each other. Before I even turn on the computer, I yell out, “Page! I need an update! You better have something for me!” I’m not even done with my command when Page, Max and Trevor rush into the office. Max stops and stands in between the two chairs, while Page and Trevor sit in the chairs. Max clears his throat. “The agents a
To Protect the Crown Chapter 67 - Shane
With my laptop on top of a little portable table, I sit beside the King’s bed and glance over at him. “Your majesty, what exactly do you want to say at the press conference? Are there certain things you want to cover?”He nods as Deloris pats my arm and says, “For me, I want to clarify that this will not go unpunished. The traitors will be captured, or hopefully are already captured, and will rot in jail.”Her father shakes his head. “You can’t go out and say something like that. You must use a little more finesse. With something like that, you will not only scare the villains but also everyone else in the country. No. We need to think of it a little more rationally.”Standing beside him and holding his hand, his wife smiles at my girlfriend. “Darling, you need to learn the fine art of subtleness. You can appear nice and friendly, but also fierce at
