Page 59 of Idaho

"Why now?" Idaho asked, frowning as he tried to put the puzzle together.

"Back home, Father keeps us...very well protected."

"Meaning?" He asked, arching a brow.

"We're basically locked up in our home. My sisters and their husbands and children live in the palace as well. He keeps all of us very close and very sheltered. When we do go anywhere there are tons of guards. And it's almost always a well-publicized public event."

"But he lets you come with him on business?"

I gave him a rueful smile. "It was that, or risk me running away."

"That's what Thomas meant about you losing yourself."

It wasn't a question. I could see the understanding on his face. He was beginning to figure this out. Figure me out.

"I love my family dearly. But I hate that life," I admitted. "I don't know if I can go back." The words came out soft and full of despair. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Staying here meant putting others at risk, like Idaho and his amazing family. But going home. I shuddered just thinking about it. Thomas wasn't wrong. It was as though pieces of my soul died a little at a time living tucked away in the palace.

Some people would probably scoff at me. Boo hoo, poor rich girl living in her rich castle with people that wait on her hand and foot. But I needed to be outside. To be in charge of my life. I needed to be free. Coming here was only the second truly selfish thing I'd ever done for myself. The first was insisting Father allow me to help him with his business. Later, I'd be able to help Charlie as well.

His sigh was long and slow, making me focus on his handsome face once more. "Then you're really going to hate what we have to do next."

My eyes closed as misery overtook me. When I opened them I saw the truth on his face. He didn't want to do this anymore than I did, but he was being responsible. "No. Please. Can't we handle this ourselves?"

"Eva," he said, patience and understanding clear in his tone. "If this guy is making a move against your father, and using you to do it, then he needs to know. What if Krier goes after your brother next? Or one of your nephews, or nieces?"

I couldn't hold back my cry of dismay. Idaho reached out and pulled me toward him, hugging me close. Auron raised his head and whined. He didn't like that I was upset. I sent him a trembling smile and he lowered his head once more.

"I'm not trying to upset you. But you know we have to call your father."

"I know," I whispered, holding onto his leather vest—no, Seek had told me it's called a cut—as though it was my only lifeline. Sucking in a breath, I pulled back and nodded. "You're right. Staying here isn't worth something happening to one of my family members. I'd never forgive myself if we stayed quiet and they were hurt."

Sighing, we walked out to the living room and I grabbed my phone off the side table next to the couch. I'd left it there that morning when we'd gone down to give presents to the children. Sitting down on the couch, I stared at the dark screen. I gathered my courage, then opened it and hit a contact. The phone began to ring.

I looked up at Idaho when he sat down and pulled me fully onto his lap. Squirming, I opened my mouth to tell him this wasn't proper—even though we'd been about to do so much more before he'd taken that call—but a voice over the line made me freeze.

"Tatiana," Father said, voice stern. "Your mother has been worried sick."

"Put it on speaker," Idaho demanded in a low voice.

Nodding, I did, mostly because I was already gearing up for the fight with my father. I didn't have the wherewithal to fight Idaho, too.

My throat felt tight as I tried to force the words out. Idaho rubbed my back in soothing circles, helping me relax enough to speak. Suddenly I was grateful that I was so close to him.

"Hi, Papa. I'm sorry," I told him honestly. "I didn't mean to worry her." Father would never admit to his own worry. But I could hear it in his voice.

"Why haven't you been returning our calls?"

"I was busy with school and homework," I told him. Idaho cleared his throat.

"Who was that?" Father demanded. "Is that Thomas? Put him on the phone."

"No, Papa. It's not Thomas. This is...a friend of mine."

Idaho arched a brow at me, but didn't say anything.

"A friend? You're supposed to be studying, Tatiana. And Thomas isn't supposed to let you out of his sight. Put him on now."

I hesitated, not sure how to even start this conversation.