Daniil (Royal Protectors #5)

Chapter 1

Daniil

It’s rare that I need an alarm to wake me, but I always set one anyway. Just in case. The life I lead doesn’t allow for leaving anything to chance, and I like things controlled and orderly. To the best of my ability anyway.

So, I’m already staring up at the ceiling, trying to decide if I want to get in the shower or get dressed and go to the gym to work out, when my alarm starts to beep.

I work out five days a week, but I try to take two days off to let my body rest and heal.

I’ve been going for eight straight days, though, so I know it’s time.

It’s just habit. And the need to stay on top of things.

I turn off the alarm and continue to lie in bed, which isn’t like me.

I’ve been restless lately.

It’s ironic, because things are good.

It’s been over a year since there’s been any kind of attack on the palace.

My job as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Parliament is going well and my country is showing signs of economic growth, stability, and increased tourism.

King Erik, my first cousin, is doing an incredible job leading Limaj into the twenty-first century.

I play a role in that, which gives me a purpose in life.

It just doesn’t seem like it’s enough these days.

I’m bored.

Lonely.

Not that I have trouble finding someone to warm my bed. I’m a prince by blood, a politician by necessity, and have more money than I’ll probably ever spend. My looks aren’t bad either, and as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, it occurs to me that I want more in life.

The trouble with that plan is that I haven’t been able to define what more entails. More work? More play? More travel? Or more companionship—because there hasn’t been much in the way of meaningful relationships of late.

There was a woman who made me think about settling down, but she wasn’t interested.

Maybe it’s just me, because neither has anyone else I’ve been involved with.

I was married once, and that was…a mistake on my part.

Marrying Jesper Vanta, who’s currently the Minister of Finance in Parliament, is one of the few regrets in my life.

There’s nothing wrong with him. In fact, he’s a great guy.

Good-looking, smart, loyal, and a truly incredible father to the two children he fathered via a surrogate while we were married.

I just didn’t love him the way I should have and in the end, I broke his heart.

We work together every day and there’s no animosity between us, so I’ve morphed into the role of Uncle Danny to the kids, while his new partner has become Daddy.

It’s probably better for everyone because fatherhood always felt strange to me, like it was something other people did.

With a sigh, I get ready for the day, opting to skip my workout, and go in search of coffee.

I could have it delivered to my room—there are perks to being a prince who lives in the royal palace—but there’s nothing for me to do in my room.

Besides, the daily security briefing is about to start and even though today is my day off, I amble in that direction anyway.

It never hurts to stay on top of security, considering the constant barrage of attacks on the palace and the royal family.

We meet in one of the downstairs conference rooms, and everyone is milling about, getting coffee, helping themselves to the pastries Cook provides for the meetings, and exchanging pleasantries. Just another day at the office.

I head for the coffee station, filling my cup as conversation goes on around me.

My sister-in-law, Lennox, looks frustrated as she talks with Joe Westfield, who runs palace security.

“…don’t understand. What do you mean you can’t find her? Did she die? Move to Siberia? She didn’t just disappear!”

“I don’t know, Lennox.” Joe looks equally frustrated. “I did a deep dive, and I even asked Chains to help.”

“And what did he say?”

“He was…cagey. That’s why I think there’s more to the story. He basically said to ask Grim, but he’s out of the country and currently not reachable.”

“Ask Grim?” Lennox’s hands are on her hips. “He’s Courtney’s half-brother. They have the same dad.”

Courtney?

My Courtney?

The Courtney who ghosted me not once but twice?

Before I can stop myself, I step into the conversation. “What’s going on with Courtney? Is she okay?”

“I don’t know!” Lennox says, throwing up her hands.

“I haven’t heard from her in over a year, which isn’t like her.

I reached out and her cell phone number belongs to someone else now.

I tried to call her at work, and she retired from the military.

The Christmas card I sent last year just got returned, and that’s when I started to worry. ”

“And you couldn’t find her?” I ask Joe in confusion.

Joe is a retired U.S. Marine, who ran one of the most exclusive bodyguard and security services in the States before he sold it to Darryl “Chains” Carruthers and came here to become a Royal Protector.

The Royal Protectors are special bodyguards to the royal family, who swear an oath to serve for life. I’m a prince but a Royal Protector first, despite my place in Parliament.

“She’s a ghost,” he says quietly. “Unless she died.”

“Grim would have told me,” Lennox says. “And why is he incommunicado?”

“Chains says he’s dealing with a situation for a former colleague.”

Lennox frowns. “Like what?”

“I don’t know,” Joe admits. “All I know is someone needed help and Grim took personal time to do it.”

“Which means the only person who knows anything is unavailable.” Lennox scowls. “Why would she do this? I don’t understand. We always talk on our birthdays, and she’s missed both mine and hers.”

I make a mental note to call Chains when I have a moment, but the briefing is about to start, so this has to be temporarily put on hold.

“Let me make a few calls,” I say under my breath to Lennox. “Maybe I can find something out through back channels.”

“That would be great.” She frowns. “I’m worried. I thought maybe she was mad about what happened when she was here last, but this seems extreme.”

I grimace. “That was bad luck, bad timing, bad everything.”

“It’s no wonder I never heard from her again.”

I’ve considered that as well.

Her visit was the last time the palace was attacked, fifteen months ago. That was also the last time Courtney and I were together. She turned down our offer to become a Royal Protector and left without saying goodbye.

Then she disappeared.

It never sat well with me, and in addition to being worried, I’m annoyed.

We aren’t teenagers—she could have simply said she wasn’t looking for a relationship or whatever you say when you’re not that into someone.

Leaving without a backward glance—twice, I might add—is just rude.

The first time was when we met at Lennox and Sandor’s wedding.

She came for a second visit when Lennox was about to have the twins.

That was when all hell broke loose at the palace.

When it was over, she vanished like a ghost in the night.

But now I have a pretext to see her again.

I excuse myself right after the briefing is over and make a call to the U.S. It’s nine in the morning here, which means it’s eleven in the evening in Las Vegas, where Chains lives.

“Hey, Dan,” he answers on the first ring.

“Is there a reason you can’t tell us where Courtney is?” I decide to go on the offensive. Chains and I have been friends a long time—he might not be able to tell me what I want to know, but he won’t jerk me around either.

He sighs. “I’ll tell you what I told Joe—talk to Grim when he gets back.”

“I don’t want to talk to him. I want to talk to you. I thought we were friends?”

“We are, but this is different.”

“Then at least tell me—is she safe? She didn’t die or anything?”

He hesitates. “No. She’s fine.”

“When will Grim get back?”

“No idea. This isn’t a mission he’s on for me. Something about a debt owed to an old friend.”

Dammit. I’m starting to get frustrated.

“I’m coming to the States,” I say after a moment.

“Dan—I can tell you one thing for sure—she doesn’t want to see you.”

That pisses me off.

“Me specifically? She told you that?”

“Daniil, you’re my friend but I’m bound by an NDA.”

“An NDA?” I demand in confusion. “Why would she need one of those?”

He doesn’t respond.

“Come on, man. Give me something. Please? Lennox is worried half to death, and frankly, so am I.”

“I did give you something—I told you she doesn’t want to see you.”

“I’m trying to understand, dammit! Does her disappearance have something to do with me specifically?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t say anything else.”

“Then I’m coming to Vegas. See you soon.” With that, I disconnect.

Then I head up to talk to Erik, the king, and get vacation time approved. Maybe I can throw in some meetings in D.C. in my role as a diplomat. Then I can stay longer.

But I’m not giving up until I find her and at least have a conversation.

If I did something wrong, I need to know.

I am many things, not all of them good, but I’d never hurt a woman.

Certainly not the one I pretty much fell in love with the first time I laid eyes on her.