by Eliza Ellis
“Yup. One of Velin’s goons cornered me in Maxim’s private elevator. Stole my phone and told me to announce the divorce or…”
“He was going to kill you? Sheesh. Who would’ve thought being royal would be so dangerous.”
“I certainly didn’t.”
“Well, Grace has been pulling the phone cords out of every socket upstairs and denying entrance to any visitor that isn’t a client.”
Deanna sighed, both with exhaustion upon hitting the final landing and with gratitude. What she wanted was quiet. Quiet to process what happened at Maxim’s and to calculate her next move.
When they entered her office, they saw Grace standing at the receptionist desk, her eyes bugged out of her head and her hair practically standing on end.
Beside her was Dr. Allen.
Grace rushed forward. “She got in before I could lock the doors.”
Deanna smiled. “It’s okay. I’ll speak with her in my office.”
“Do you think you should?” Rita whispered.
“I think it would be good to talk privately before we face the cameras.”
“Are you okay?” Grace asked. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
She had. Her heart was broken. She’d lost Maxim, and now she might lose her business. Deanna squeezed Grace’s arm. “I’ll be okay.” She moved away from her friends. “Dr. Allen. Good to see you.”
“Is it?” She frowned. “I was passing by when I heard the news and thought I’d come see how you were.”
“That’s very kind of you. Shall we?”
Dr. Allen followed her to her office. Grace brought in hot tea and slices of cake while Deanna and Dr. Allen settled in the sitting area.
Dr. Allen sighed. “I wasn’t trying to gloat when I said I came by to see how you were. I’m honestly concerned. You had called reporters to—”
“No. I…I was just talking to Maxim, and I was ambushed. I didn’t know they’d be there.” Another reason to hate Velin. He had planned this all so expertly. No doubt Maxim had seen the news by now. What would he think of her?
“How could they have known? Did Maxim call them?”
Deanna hesitated to tell the truth. But what would Dr. Allen have to gain? “No. He…he doesn’t want to divorce, but…it’s complicated. There are family issues he has to deal with. Basically, I won’t be accepted and—”
“And he won’t fight for you?”
“He would! He thinks we can beat it, but…”
Dr. Allen’s eyes narrowed on her. “Is your algorithm wrong about him?”
Deanna considered. Based on the new information Rita and Grace were so kind to give her earlier, he should’ve run from this problem. But he hadn’t. He wanted to stick it out and fight. Deanna nodded. “He’s grown and so have I.”
“Does your algorithm take into account personal growth?”
“It does, yes. But…”
“But it didn’t take into account you actually falling in love.”
Deanna’s eyes snapped to Dr. Allen’s smiling face. “I don’t get your meaning.”
“You’re in love, right?”
“Whether I am or not doesn’t matter. Look, I’ll go on record and say that we weren’t supposed to be matched and therefore I’ll be getting another divorce.”
“Still proving your science is correct,” Dr. Allen said dryly. Then she chuckled. “But I was right, too.” She smiled knowingly and stood.
“I’ll say I was wrong to trust in the science.”
Dr. Allen shook her head. “Don’t bother. We’re both right.” Without elaborating, she held her hand out. Deanna cautiously shook it. “Your work is quite brilliant, Deanna. I do respect what you’ve done.” She peered into Deanna’s eyes. “I do hope that, one day, you’ll be willing to admit that leaving room for the unexpected is what makes science interesting. It’s how we get theories, remember?”
Did she mean love? Even hours later, Deanna still hadn’t figured out the answer.
Chapter 27
Guards ushered Maxim into the palace, and he immediately ordered Velin and his daughter to be brought before him. While waiting for them to arrive, he met with Novak and Jelena in what might no longer Novak’s office but Maxim’s.
The brothers embraced. Jelena offered her cheek, and Maxim dutifully kissed it. Before she turned away, Maxim saw the moisture in her eyes. It was the first time he’d ever seen Jelena look so close to being broken.
“Velin has called for parliament to remove me from power,” Novak said in a soft voice.
“He doesn’t have the authority!” Jelena cried from her seat near the fire. “We never should’ve let him in the country. Everyone knew he was a corrupt king. That’s why he lost his throne.”
“And now he wants ours,” Novak said glumly. “And your best friend no doubt knew of the plan the whole time.”
Jelena frowned, her hand rubbing her very pregnant belly.
Leonor. Maxim’s skin crawled. His mind took him back to that physical night before he moved to America. Had she truly known what her father was capable of? Even then? Was she part of a plot to remove Novak and Jelena as the monarchs and install herself as the next queen with him as a puppet king? He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. As the Americans would say, he had dodged that bullet.
But he still had to deal with a larger caliber. “Has your father been to see you?” Maxim asked Novak.
Jelena’s sharp gaze was on them both. “As far as I’m concerned, his father is dead. And if anyone asks me—”
“That’s just it, Jelena,” Maxim pointedly interrupted. “They will ask. They are asking.”
“We have yet to verify the authenticity of the letter, since we don’t actually have it.”
Velin was counting on the birth doctor’s letter to be his ace in the hole. “Well, he’ll have to relinquish it to authorities for a proper investigation.”
“To answer your question, brother”—Novak began—“no. I haven’t seen him. He hasn’t reached out.”
His eyes showed pain, and Maxim believed his brother wanted to connect with Kostav. He probably had a litany of questions. And it wasn’t every day you got a second chance to have a father. Maxim frowned, wishing the late king was here. At a time when he would possibly ascend the throne, Maxim wanted another opportunity to ask his father how to do the job and do it well.
The guards opened the door. Leonor entered. She curtsied and then rushed to Maxim. “Maxim! I’m so pleased you’re back. Your family needs you at a time like this.” Her cold hands grasped his. “I…I’m just as stunned as you must be.” Her lips formed an appropriate pity smile that she gave to both Novak and Jelena. “I don’t know what my father has, but”—she looked imploringly into Maxim’s eyes—“I swear to do whatever you need. I only want to help.”
Maxim squeezed her hands and then retreated from her. “Thank you, Leonor.”
“Is it…is it true you’re divorcing Deanna?” she asked quietly, her voice lifting a touch with hope.
Maxim evenly stared at her until she looked away. Whether or not she had been an instigator in this plot, she wasn’t against it. I will never marry you.
“Where is your father?” Jelena snapped.
Leonor lifted her chin. “I was not with him when I heard the news. I was already out for the day and had my man drive me straight here.” She crossed the room to Jelena, her hands outstretched. Jelena allowed her own to be taken by Leonor. “Please believe me when I say I’d never want anything bad to happen to you, Jelena.” She squatted, one hand going to Jelena’s bump. “You are my dearest friend in the whole world, and your little baby…is my precious goddaughter.”
Maxim and Novak exchanged a surprised glance.
Jelena regally rose from her seat and backed away from Leonor. “What is this you are saying? A daughter?”
Leonor fidgeted. “I… It is a guess, that is all.”
“Why not guess a son?” Jelena sharply replied. “If you truly wish me well, you’d desire an heir
for the throne. A male to continue the Malenkov dynasty.” Her hand went protectively to her belly, her eyes sharp. “I carry the future king of Degonia.”
Novak looked away with a frown. Maxim stood with fists balled at his sides. So Jelena hadn’t told Leonor. He’d been so sure she’d passed the information to her father. “You know, Leonor, don’t you?” he asked in a low, dangerous tone. “How? No one outside the immediate family knew of the child’s gender.”
Leonor visibly swallowed.
Maxim stalked toward her, his hard gaze never leaving her frightened one. “Where are you getting your information?”
“Maxim…please!” Hunched over, she tentatively moved forward, her hands up defensively. “Let me explain.”
Maxim worked to stand still, his insides spasming with anger. If Jelena didn’t say a word—and she wouldn’t, given her absolute loyalty to Novak and the Crown—then that meant there was a spy within the palace. Jelena’s doctor? Could he be bribed? Why not? Velin has bribed everyone else. The level of corruption shocked Maxim. Is this what his brother had been dealing with while he was in America? How could he sleep at night not knowing whom to trust? It was a good thing he was here. He’d bring loyalty and ethics back to the monarchy.
Starting with removing Leonor from their country’s soil.
“I’m waiting,” Maxim growled.
“I…I only heard from…someone. I can’t really recall when or where—”
“Not good enough. Try harder.”
Leonor trembled, her gaze flittering about like she was searching for an answer in the air.
Velin was announced and ushered in, saving Leonor from answering and likely betraying her father. Velin bowed but said nothing. His face held a smirk, and Maxim wanted to punch him. The man thought he’d won.
Maxim moved toward the desk and picked up his tablet. “Thank you for meeting with us, Velin. I’ll make this quick.”
“I’m at your service.”
Maxim snorted. “I’m sure you are.”
“Well, for the time being, that is.”
Maxim eyed Velin, whose smirk had turned into an all-out victorious grin. He glanced at his brother, who looked desperate. Maxim smiled and sat on the desk. “Velin, remember when you lost your crown?” He chuckled. “Of course you do. The whole world remembers that moment.”
Leonor bit her lip and looked away while Velin flushed. “You dare insult me, Maxim?”
Maxim ignored the use of his name without a title. Instead, he gestured for everyone to take a seat on the couches and lounge chairs near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the eastern mountain range. Maxim stood in front of the window. “From what my investigators have told me—and sources from within your country’s new government—you owe people a lot of money. You’ve been successful in offsetting payment by negotiating contracts that favor your company using our parliament. That stops today.”
“You think you know everything. The prince who didn’t want to be king. And now you talk as though you are the Crown.” Velin rose from his seat. “What do you know of anything?”
“I know your influence in parliament is destructive. Look at what it’s done to my family.”
He barked laughter. “Your mother was destructive.” Velin pointed to Novak. “And he’s the proof. If she had done her duty—”
“Don’t you dare speak ill of our mother!” Maxim roared.
Velin collapsed back onto the couch.
“You will not speak, unless I command it. Do you understand?” Velin said nothing. Maxim continued. “We want the original letter our mother’s doctor gave you. An official investigation will be conducted regarding its authenticity. Hand it over.” Maxim held out his hand.
Velin stuttered. “I…I don’t have it on me.”
“Where is it?” Maxim said through thick teeth.
“It’s back at my residence.”
Maxim ordered the guards to secure Velin’s residence and inform investigators to carry out a search of the property.
“May I speak, Your Highness?”
Maxim loathed hearing another word out of that snake’s mouth. “What?”
“A father’s charge is to protect his daughter. You don’t know the people I owe money to. You don’t know what they’re capable of.”
“I disagree. They removed you from power. I’m quite aware—”
“I had to protect Leonor’s life. Marrying you would’ve done that.”
Maxim smiled viciously. “Marrying me would’ve gotten you one step closer to another throne.”
“A by-product of my willingness to protect her life.”
Maxim smoothed down the sides of his beard to his chin. “Let’s say I believe our betrothal was an innocent move on your part. That still doesn’t explain your meddling in the affairs of parliament to the point of bribing a man you claim is Novak’s father.” Maxim stood in front of Leonor and Velin. “Will you also claim that overthrowing Novak is a by-product too?”
Velin lowered his gaze.
“You want money? You’ll get it. In exchange, you and your daughter will never set foot in this country again. You will denounce the letter as a fake, and you and Leonor will leave in disgrace.”
Velin’s eyes snapped up, and Leonor’s jaw dropped. “You would lie to your own people? Is that how you want to begin your rule?”
Maxim chuckled. “Of course not. You will lie to them, and we will admit its authenticity. However, since the doctor is not alive to attest to the truth of the matter, a DNA test will be conducted. In that time, the people will understand that you sought to overthrow their beloved king, a man innocent in the knowledge of his true parentage.” Maxim leaned over Velin. “They will rally behind a man groomed for the throne by one who showed love and kindness to a boy not his own. A man willing to raise his wife’s child and claim him as a Malenkov.”
“Maxim may indeed take the throne,” Novak said humbly, “but he will not allow either Jelena or myself to face ridicule.”
Velin’s gaze darted from Novak to Maxim.
“You see, Velin, the Malenkovs will prevail,” Maxim said in a soft but triumphant tone. “Two boys who handle adversity with grace, dignity, and honor deserving of the Crown. You upset the balance, and we will restore it.”
Leonor cleared her throat. “How…how much money?” she croaked.
Jelena scoffed.
Maxim felt pity for the woman. He knew she cared for nothing but money. In the end, she would have it, but it would be a cold bedfellow. “I’m willing to give you a billion dollars. Plenty of it will go to your creditors to satisfy your debts. But, if you use it wisely, you and any offspring you have will be established for their lifetime. I choose to believe you were innocent in all of this, Leonor, and for that, I will be generous. But we all know that you are not.”
Leonor blinked a few times, maybe to clear her eyes of tears, and then bowed her head.
“You still haven’t told me how you discovered Jelena’s child was a girl.”
Leonor stared at Jelena. “I…I offered myself to your doctor for information.”
Jelena made a sound of disgust. Novak gripped Maxim’s shoulder and whispered, “Forgive me for ever suggesting her as a bride.”
“Forgiven,” Maxim replied stiffly. “One more question, Velin.”
“Your Highness?”
“A man I’ve seen around my place—in America. Is he yours?”
Velin nodded.
“And the reporters? Were they set up by him? Was Deanna told to make the announcement about our divorce?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Maxim said no more, turning to face the window. At least he knew the truth. Even though Deanna had said she wanted the divorce, she wouldn’t have announced it the way she had. He might’ve been able to convince her.
Still might.
Everyone remained quiet until guards came to take Velin and Leonor to a set of apartments in the palace that would be guarded at all times.
&nbs
p; Novak hugged his brother. “I am so proud of you,” he said quietly. “So immensely proud.”
“You see, my money came in handy,” Maxim joked.
“I couldn’t be more grateful.”
“What will happen to us?” Jelena asked.
Her worn expression caused Maxim some concern. “How are you feeling?”
She rubbed her belly. “I’m all right.”
“You and Novak will remain in the palace, of course. Novak was ordained king. It’s up to parliament to sort that out. If he’s removed, I will bestow a title on him fit for the son of a queen.”
Jelena smiled and nodded, appearing satisfied.
“Brother, I thank you for your generosity.”
“I would do anything for you, Novak.”
“Except marry Leonor,” he said wryly.
Maxim laughed. “Yes, except that.” And it’s a good thing, too. Maxim looked at his watch. He had to return to America for Deanna’s show. He had made her a promise and wouldn’t break it.
“You’re going back, aren’t you?” Novak asked.
“I have to. But…I won’t be long.”
Novak gripped Maxim’s shoulder, like he used to when they were young, to encourage Maxim. “Don’t give up.”
“She’s already out.”
“No, she isn’t.” Novak grinned. “How could anyone say no to my brother?”
Maxim wished he knew how Deanna could.
Chapter 28
Deanna fidgeted on the sofa as a couple hundred pairs of eyes assessed her. Were they judging her competence? Had they determined her algorithm to be no better than flipping a coin? Would she ever recover from this humiliation?
Dr. Allen was smiling graciously and speaking about her talk with Deanna the other day. “Respectfully, we have come to an agreement that both science and…the heart can be correct in determining our future happiness. I am willing to concede that Dr. Pearson’s algorithm is unmatched, and she has also agreed that matters of the heart are not easily calculated with X and Y.”
The host turned to Deanna. “Is this true?”
Deanna stiffly nodded. “It is, Carlie.”