Page 30 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Captain Reger returned to the cabin with Erin.

“She was a delightful co-pilot.” He squatted down in front of her. “Thank you, Miss Erin, for flying with me.”

The child grinned brightly. “You’re welcome.”

“What do you say to the captain?” prompted Michele.

“Thank you, Captain Reger, for letting me fly the plane.”

“You are most welcome.” He stood; his face was suddenly very serious. “Your Majesty, may I talk to you privately?”

Alex lifted a brow but nodded. The captain never called him Your Majesty unless something significant had happened. “Of course. Come with me.” He went into the office.

As soon as the captain closed the door, Alex turned toward him. “What has happened?”

“Your mother has contacted us. Nicolai has taken Catherine and said he will kill her if Queen Reina does not marry him within the next hour.”

With anger vying with worry for his attention, Alex paced the small room from one side to the other in front of the desk. “Keep me informed.”

“Of course. If you will excuse me, I will see if it is possible to make better time.”

“Thank you.”

Alex took a deep breath and exited the office. He looked over at the chair Erin occupied. She was asleep.

Michele looked up, and her smile faded. “What’s happened?” She stood and went to him.

“I’m afraid we will not be having the celebrations I had anticipated. My mother is being forced to marry Nicolai—”

She put her hand on his arm.

He found the gesture reassuring.

“Why would your uncle want to marry your mother? I mean, I imagine she is beautiful and I know she’s smart, but why so soon? I don’t understand.”

He covered her hand with his. “For the throne.”

Her eyes widened. “A lot of people would have to be murdered before he can become king. Is he capable of such treachery?”

Alex walked over to the sofa and sat, pulling her down next to him. “Oh yes, he’s capable. My mother carries a sword because of him and tries not to be alone in a room with him without the sword already drawn.”

Her mouth formed an-O-before she spoke. “What did he do?” She lifted a hand and waved it in front of her face. “Never mind. There’s only one reason a woman in your mother’s position would carry a weapon. Sometime in the past, he attacked her. It has to be that.”

Alex shook his head. “My father would have killed him.”

She lifted a brow. “Ah, but that would depend on when it happened, wouldn’t it? And I would bet your mother isn’t someone who wants her battles fought for her. Am I right?”

Alex nodded and looked over at Erin again. “Yes, you are correct. All of it, you have deduced correctly.”

Michele followed his gaze and then smiled. “You wouldn’t want her knowing any of this. Thank you. I don’t, either, but trust me when I say I can help. I’m not some wilting violet to be left in a corner. We may have only known each other for several weeks, but I feel like I’ve known you for a lifetime. I care for you enough to accept your proposal of marriage and feel close enough to you to take my daughter to your country because I know you will keep us safe. I believe I’m more like your mother than you know.”

He narrowed his eyes, and his mouth slowly formed a half smile. “I bet you are. Perhaps that is the reason I am so attracted to you.”

She smiled and lowered her gaze, then looked out the window. “How long before we get to your home?”

“Another three hours. We are over the ocean now”

“Then I want to make the most of it for Erin. I don’t want any of this to affect her. She’s only six. She needs to have fun, so I want to do whatever you had planned for the next three hours, if she wakes up. She might just sleep through the rest of the trip. This has all been very exciting for her…and for me, too.”