Chapter 3 - Dee

I march toward Max’s office.

BAM!

I slam the door open and glare daggers at Max as he sits behind his desk.  He raises his eyebrows and goes to open his mouth, but I cut him off.  “I thought the intel was good!!  I just got a call from our guys that someone just tried to assault the king at one of his stops today!  How is that even possible?”

Steam rolls off me as I march into Max’s office and slam the door shut.

BAM!

The sound echoes through his office and the walls vibrate.  I usually frown on behavior like this, but I don’t care right now.  The only thing that keeps running through my mind is that someone just attacked my family. 

I don’t know how it is even possible.  I made the final changes last night and handed them out this morning.  There is no way that my new directions could have been leaked.  My staff is trustworthy.  Well, I’m hoping that they still are. 

My uncle and I have handpicked all the staff and if they are leaking information to the enemy, they are betraying me too.  I don’t stand for anyone betraying me and the company. 

Max shakes his head.  “I don’t know.  Has the team discovered who is behind the attack and how they got the information?”

As I march across his office, I shake my head.  “No.  They are still working on it.”

Max sighs.  “You know that we can’t jump to conclusions.  The intel is good, but our enemies could have been lucky.  We need to wait for our people to discover what has really happened today.  Now, take a deep breath and try to relax.”

Grr….  I know that he is right, but I’m still mad. 

I huff and plop down in the chair in front of his desk.  “I don’t want to wait.  I hate waiting.”

A soft chuckle fills the room.  Max cracks a small smile and sighs.  “I know that you hate to wait.  I still don’t know where you get your hot-headed temper from.  Both your parents are so calm.  Most of the time, they give off the impression that nothing can ruffle them.”

I know, but I also know that they have trained themselves over the years to not show any emotion.  My father is the first one to admit that I’m just like him.  I’m hot-headed and fast to react.  However, the nation can’t have a king like that, so grandfather has worked with him through the years, starting in his youth, so he will stay calm under all circumstances. 

It is fortunate that I’m the youngest and most likely won’t ever have to be the queen.  I don’t think that I could keep my temper under control if I ever have to be the queen.

According to my father, my temperament is one of the reasons why him and mother decided to keep me hidden.  Someone has to be hidden, and they have picked me, even as a baby.

However, that has made it easier for me, at a young age, to begin my training with my uncle Charles.  He is also like me.  His true identity has been hidden from the world.  Plus, with him running the security company for the royals, he comes and goes from the castle all the time. 

To the public, I’m just his niece that took over his business a few years back. 

I roll my eyes and sigh.  “You like my temperament.  Just admit it.  You wouldn’t know what to do if I’m not so hot-headed.”  A playfully smile dances across my face as I tilt my head and stare at him. 

What is he going to say to that?  Huh.

Max shakes his head and leans back in his chair.  “There are a lot of things that I love about you, but I don’t think that you being a hot head is one of them.  However, I do have to admit that you have managed to keep that temper of yours under control most of the time and keep this company moving in the right direction.  I think since you have taken over the company from your uncle, the profits have increased by roughly 50% along with expanding out to the IT security sector.”

He once again shakes his head.  “I don’t think that your uncle could have done that.  However, I’m sure that it helps that you are such a troublemaker and have been hacking stuff since you got your first computer.”

Well, he does have a point.  My uncle knows how to use a computer, but beyond that he doesn’t have a clue.  Don’t ask him anything about hacking.  He is completely clueless when it comes to that. 

I nod my head as I let a small snort escape my mouth.  “Yeah.  You may be right.”

Before I can say anything, my phone rings. 

Ring….ring….ring….

Who in the heck is calling?  Only staff and family have this number.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and gasp when I see my uncle’s name. 

I quickly answer it.  “Hello, uncle….”

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????  WHY AM I READING ABOUT AN ATTEMPT ON THE KING???”

I pull the phone away from my ear and glance across the desk at Max.  Well, he is wondering where I get my personality from and this should be one hint.  It runs in the family. 

I take a deep breath.  When my uncle’s voice stops echoing throughout the room, I pull my phone back to my ear and calmly reply, “I had intel and changed the route and the plans that morning.  I’m still waiting to see how the people have managed to get the information.  I was just talking to Max about it.  You know what the protocol is.”

I pause for a moment.  “By the way, the king is fine.  My increased security is what saved him.  So, the intel has helped us in one respect.”

I glance over at Max and furrow my eyebrows.  I know that this isn’t the end of my uncle’s rage.  He doesn’t let things go this easily. 

Max shrugs his shoulders and anxiously looks back at me.  He also knows my uncle too well to know that this isn’t the end of it. 

I almost jump out of my chair when uncle’s load voice barks, “Put me on speaker phone.  NOW!”

Oh, this isn’t good. 

I pull the phone away from ear and put it on speaker phone before I set it on the desk.

Max gulps and leans forward.  “Hello Uncle Charles.  We…”

My uncle’s voice, once again, booms through the office.  “I want all the info as soon as you get it.  This needs to be your top priority.  I’m cutting my vacation short, and I’ll be there tomorrow.  I want some information by the time I arrive.”

My heart races.  I don’t want to have to deal with my uncle while trying to protect my family.  However, having my uncle here can also help me a lot while I try to protect everyone.  This is a double-edged sword that I try to stay away from, but clearly, it doesn’t seem that I can avoid it this time. 

I glance over at Max and sigh.  He doesn’t have the same issue that I do with my uncle.  Max loves my uncle.  Uncle Charles is Max’s mentor and idol. 

I glance back down at the phone.  “The team is working on finding out what has happened.  In the meantime, I have forced the king and the royal family to halt all activities for a few days until we have more information.”

My uncle softens a bit, but his harsh tone still cuts through the air.  “Good.  By the way, I’m coming out of retirement until this situation is cleared up.  I’ll see you tomorrow.  Be prepared.”

That quick the call ends. 

Shit.  Now what am I going to do?  My uncle is coming out retirement.  This isn’t good.

I take a deep breath and lean back on the chair.  As I glance at Max, I whine, “Now, what?  You know one of the reasons why my uncle is retired is that him and I clash all the time.  We drive each other up the wall, so he finally gave in and retired.  Am I supposed to step away from this?  You know that I can’t.”

Max leans forward and rests his arms on the edge of his desk as he shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.  “I’m not sure.  I have to admit that I’m happy that he will be back here soon and working every day.  However, I have to also admit that it isn’t good for either of you for him to be here.”

Sigh.  What am I going to do now?

I exhale and lean my head back on the chair.  Even if I want to take some time off, I can’t.  I still have work to do.  Not just any work.  I have to protect the royal family. 

I close my eyes and let my mind run through the various events from today.  I know that I’m missing something.  I need to figure out exactly what I’m missing or overlooking. 

Max’s worried voice break through my thoughts.  “Have you talked to the king or any of the royal family yet?”

With my eyes still closed, I shake my head.  “No.  Our staff is telling me that the king is back at the castle with the royal physician.  I will call later when I know the doctor has left.”

Max clears his throat.  “Maybe we should go to the castle and get some information from our staff first-hand instead of over the phone.”

I want to, but I’m not sure if I can keep my emotions in check.  I can’t give away anything in front of other people.  I’ve worked for years to keep everyone thinking that I’m a consultant and security contractor.  Everything will come crashing down around me if people learn that I’m actually part of the family. 

I shake my head.  “I don’t know.  I want to, but….”

Max cut me off and softly says, “You are afraid that someone will learn exactly who you are.  I know that already.  However, I’m sure that you won’t be the only one that is shaken by what has happened today.  You will still blend in with the other staff.  You know how much your father and the whole royal family is loved by the staff there.  Don’t forget that a few select people know about you. 

They were there while you were growing up and when the queen was pregnant.”

I know, but I still don’t want to do anything stupid. 

Before I can reply, Max chimes, “That’s it.  We are going right now.”

His chair squeaks. 

I open my eyes and pull my head up and stare at Max.  He grabs his car keys off his desk and quickly locks his computer, before he walks around the side of his desk. 

I raise an eyebrow.  “Right now?”

Max flashes me a smile and brushes his wavy black bangs to the side.  “Yes.  Right now.  Let’s go.  We aren’t going to get the information if we don’t go.  Now, come on.”

I don’t get a chance to protest as Max grabs my arm and pulls me out of the chair. 

I guess I don’t have a choice in the matter.  We are going to the castle.