“I can manage—”
The chime of the doorbell had her freezing in place, and a wild panic filled her eyes as she heard the thundering sound of footsteps down the steps.
“I’ll get it!” Marty’s little voice carried down the short hallway.
“That’s probably the assistant from the palace.” Meredith chewed on her fingernail and looked at her father before turning to me. “Out. Out!”
She shooed me out of the room and quietly closed the door behind us. “Not a word. Do you understand? I don’t want Marty to know. I don’t want anyone to know.”
“You can’t just sweep this under the rug, Meredith.” I looked down into her bright eyes and frowned. Again. “That man needs to be dealt with.”
“I am dealing with him. I’ve been dealing with him for my entire life,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
My ire churned as I thought of her dealing with that poor excuse of a father. Leaning down so that the people at the door would not hear me, I lowered my voice and breathed against her ear.
“I will not leave you to deal with him alone anymore. I will not stand by while you and Marty are in danger. I may be reluctant to claim my title but I am a prince of this country and the protection of its people is my duty.” I pulled back to look in her eyes. “I will do everything in my power to keep you and Marty safe. Do you understand?”
Her eyes widened in shock as she stared up at me. As footsteps neared the bend in the hallway she took a step backward and bumped into the wall. With a quick nod in my direction, she looked down and smoothed out her shirt and sweater. As I watched, she lifted her chin and her face melted into something softer, happier, and relaxed. It was like watching a person slide on a mask.
When the palace aide rounded the corner I watched as Meredith smiled and held out her hand, but I didn’t get to hear the introductions.
“Max!” Marty bounded down the hall, sliding to a stop in front of me. “Did you come back to play video games?”
“Well—”
“Actually, that would be great.” Meredith turned and smiled at me. “It would be a big . . . help.”
“Your Highness, I didn’t realize you would be here.” The older woman bobbed her head and smiled. I thought her name started with an R. Rebecca? Rachel? “It’s so nice of you to help a friend during such a difficult time.”
“Maybe I could play games after I help your mom.” I smiled at the boy, but I could see a tiny storm cloud forming over his head. His stubborn expression matched the one on his mother’s face. “Or maybe not.”
“Yeah! C’mon.” He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the stairway. “I finally beat the last guy. This new level is totally awesome.”
“Are you sure?” I shot a look at Meredith. She might look calm and collected but I knew what was roiling below the surface.
“I promise to take good care of her.” The aide smiled at me. “I already have everything lined out. She just has to approve which options she would prefer.”
“Thank you. If you need anything, let me know.” I said it to the aide, because I knew that Meredith wouldn’t ask another thing of me if she could help it.
“Of course, sir.” She dipped in a short curtsy and I fought a grimace.
“Thank you.” With that I let Marty lead me up the stairs and to his room.
He closed his door and leaned against it with a look of relief. “Did he hurt Mama?”
“What?” My senses came alive, like a cornered dog. This was dangerous territory.
“Grandfather. Did he hurt my mom?” His little face was a thundercloud of rage. “I just wanna kick him so hard . . .”
Turning away from me, he kicked a toy across the room and clenched his little hands at his sides.
“No, your mom is okay.” I sat down on the bed and folded my hands in my lap. I thought the scariest thing in the world was my job as a prince, but it turned out that this, this right here, talking to Marty about his mother and grandfather made me break out into a cold sweat.
“Did you beat him up?” Marty looked at me with eyes that were too old for his little face. “I’m too little, but when I get bigger I’m going to make him sorry for being so mean to my mom.”
“I didn’t beat him up, Marty.” I looked around the room, trying to find the right words. “It wouldn’t have helped. The only way your grandfather is going to stop is if he realizes what he is doing is wrong.”
“You could show him what he is doing is wrong.” Marty looked at me with the angry eyes of his mother. “He makes my mama cry. I’m not supposed to know, but I do.”