In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 381

"Any news?" she asked as Niko entered, his face drawn with exhaustion.

He shook his head, loosening his tie. "Mitchell has been working with the Warner family. They've assembled quite an operation… royal security, tech specialists and private security. The woman's family has a lot of wealth and power between them."

Amelia noticed the shadows under Niko's eyes. "Have you eaten anything?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You need to keep your strength up." She crossed to him, placing a hand on his arm. "I'll have something brought up."

He nodded absently, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Father is meeting with the security council now. There's been some debate about how to proceed."

"He's still considering not paying?" The thought horrified her.

"It's complicated," Niko sighed. "The ransom demand is substantial, but that's not the issue. Once we engage with kidnappers, we create a precedent. Alexei becomes a permanent target, as does every member of the royal family."

"Including me," Amelia said quietly. "Including any children we might have."

Something flickered across Niko's face, pain, perhaps, at the reminder of what they didn’t yet have. "Yes."

"But this is Alexei," she insisted. "Your brother. Your father's son."

"You think I don't know that?" Niko's voice sharpened, then immediately softened. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's alright." She reached for his hand, relieved when he didn't pull away. "I know you're worried."

Niko squeezed her fingers gently. "Father will make the right decision. Meanwhile, our operatives are working to locate them. If we can find where they're being held..."

"You could mount a rescue," she finished.

"Precisely."

A knock at the door announced the arrival of the food Amelia had requested. She guided Niko to a chair while the staff arranged a simple meal on the small table.

"Try to eat something," she urged once they were alone again. "Even just a little."

To her relief, he picked up a fork and began to eat mechanically. Amelia sat across from him, watching his face. The past months had been strained between them, the pressure of producing an heir creating a distance that seemed to widen with each passing day. But in this crisis, she saw glimpses of the man she'd grown to care for… no she loved Niko, it was the reason she was thinking of setting him free. Niko was worried for his brother, determined to find a solution, vulnerable in a way he rarely allowed himself to be.

"Do you think they're alright?" she asked softly.

Niko set down his fork. "Alexei is resourceful. And from what Mitchell says, Keira Warner is no shrinking violet either."

"I'm sure they're scared."

"Yes," he agreed. "But Alexei knows we won't abandon him."

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