Race for the Throne | Formula One

65. Revelations

"Kat?" a voice asked.

I lifted my head, the tears blurring my vision made it impossible to see the speaker but I knew the accent well. I opened my arms to Pierre. Without hesitation he joined me on the ground and gathered me in his arms. He held me close to his chest and stroked my hair.

"It's ok, let it out. I'm here." His voice was soothing.

I clung to him, hands fisting into his shirt. "They're gone, they're gone."

Pierre's hold on me tightened. "They are but you're still here. You're still here. We're here. I'm here."

"I can't do this, I have to get out, I don't belong here, this isn't my home," I sobbed against his chest.

"Tell me where you want to go and I'll take you. But if you start running now, you'll never be able to stop." His voice was soft.

"I just want to go home, I just want my family." My voice cracked.

"With time, you'll find what makes this home to you again. I know we can't replace them and I'm not intending us to, but we are your family and we're not going anywhere." Pierre pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "You're not alone, no matter how much it feels like that right now, you're not alone."

Sobs wracked my body but still he held me. His arms were the only things holding me together as I felt myself splintering and cracking. I don't know how long we sat on the floor but never once did he try to make me move or to stop. He just waited patiently with me until my sobs subsided, rocking me gently and making soothing sounds. When I finally pulled back, I saw tear streaks on his face.

He got to his feet and offered his hand. "Are you ready to see the others?"

"I guess." I took his hand and he helped me up.

We walked in silence, arms barely touching. I received great comfort from knowing that he was there. Running into one of the staff members on the way to find the others, we were told that they had been gathered in the dining room and that we were supposed to meet them there.

I hesitated at the door. "But I look like I've been crying."

Pierre put his hand on my uninjured shoulder. "You're allowed to cry, no one is going to think any differently because of it."

I smiled weakly at him before we walked in. Charles looked up quickly at me as Pierre escorted me to my seat at the head of the table. He looked at me questioningly but I couldn't meet his eyes.

Mia handed me a folder. "This is everything you'll need to know for the press conference."

"Press conference?" I asked.

"You'll have to address the press and the citizens of Monaco after everything that's happened. Mr. Leclerc also received a packet for any questions he may receive during his championship interviews." Mia returned to the front of the room. "There are things that have to be arranged. You'll have to review the staff, we'll have to review plans for the funeral and then for the coronation."

I fought the bile rising in my throat. "We will plan both of those tomorrow."

Mia nodded. "I figured you'd want the day to get settled but we do need to get those arranged."

Pierre had sat next to me, he reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze, reassuring me that they were still here for me.

I took a deep breath. "Thank you Mia. I want Mateo to be my head of security."

Mateo straightened where he was standing by the door. "I'm honored, your highness."

"Don't be honored because I'm going to make your life a nightmare." I laughed slightly, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Mateo cracked a smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way, your highness."

"Your first duty is to go through all the guards and thoroughly interview and background check every one of them. Especially the ones that were responsible for my family's safety on the night of the assassination," I ordered.

Mateo nodded.

"Your highness, there is something else you need to know." Mia fidgeted with a folder in her hand.

"What's in the folder?" I asked, an uneasy feeling settling in my stomach.

Mia handed it to me hesitantly. "The information on their deaths."

I clenched my teeth, hands shaking slightly as I took it. As soon as I opened it, I wish I hadn't. There was no mistaking it, the pictures were of my family. Each killed by being shot. I held back the nausea and flipped to the report, skimming it with my finger.

I froze, pointing to a piece of information. "They were in the car when this happened?"

"Yes." Mia replied. "Your father was in one car, your mother and brother were in a separate car."

"Still sitting in their seats of the cars when it happened? They were found not just in the cars but still in their seats too, seat belts buckled?" My voice was strangled.

Mia nodded.

"Where were they found?" My eyes were wide.

"What is it Kat?" Charles reached for my other hand.

"Answer the damn question!" I shouted at Mia.

"On the border, about to cross into France on their way to Paris." was her reply.

I stood so abruptly that my chair tipped over.

"What does that mean?" Charles asked.

My mind was reeling. I ran my hands through my hair. Charles put his hand on my arm. I whirled towards him.

"Kat, talk to us," He said quietly.

"Adrian," I choked out. "This is connected to Adrian."

Charles looked at me confused. "Your uncle?"

Mia froze. "How did we not see that?"

"Eighteen years ago, he was shot in his car, seat belt still on, on the border about to cross into France," I whispered.