Room Mate 234

The phone rang, cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. All three of them froze. Theodore, Niko, and Amelia all turned to look at the phone. It was late, really late, so it had to be about Alexei.

Theodore reached for the phone on his desk, his voice carefully composed as he answered. “Yes?”

Amelia watched her father–in–law’s expression shift, the tight lines around his mouth relaxing slightly as he listened to whoever was on the other end. Her heart began to race. Something had happened.

“When?” Theodore asked, his voice controlled but with an undercurrent of urgency. “And they’re both alive? You’re certain?” For original chapters go to find•novel.net

Niko moved closer to his father, desperation etched across his features. Amelia stood beside him, slipping her hand into his without thinking. He gripped it tightly, his palm damp with sweat.

“Excellent work, Mitchell,” Theodore said. “We’ll await your updates.” He hung up the phone and looked at them both, his regal composure slightly cracked with relief. “They’ve found them. Alexei and Miss Warner.”

“Where?” Niko demanded, surging forward. “Are they hurt?”

“An abandoned warehouse near the harbor,” Theodore explained, “The FBI is coordinating with our security team and the Kingstons. They’re moving in now. We don’t know much more.”

Amelia felt a wave of relief so powerful it nearly brought her to her knees. “Thank God,” she whispered.

“The FBI? I thought we were handling this on our own,” Niko asked, surprised.

“An agent Kingston’s knows is working with us to get them out,” Theodore explained. “Mitchell will call with updates as the operation progresses.”

“I will get a full briefing from Mitchell in the next few days.”

“I would like to head to the US to be there once he is free.”

“No.”

“But Father-”

“Niko.” Theodore’s tone brooked no argument. “The last thing we need is you in the states right now. By the time you even get there, it would be all over.”

Amelia squeezed Niko’s hand. “Your father’s right,” she said softly. Even though she hated the logic in it. She knew how close Niko was to,his brother.

Niko looked like he wanted to argue but instead nodded curtly. “So, we wait.”

Amelia perched on the edge of a chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Niko paced, unable to remain still, while Theodore stood by the window, looking out into the dark.

17:16 Mon, Oct 6 B…

“How did they find them?” Amelia asked, needing to break the silence.

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“The details aren’t clear yet,” Theodore replied without turning. “Mitchell mentioned thermal imaging and drones. The Kingston and De Santis resources proved valuable. I will get a full briefing from Mitchell in the next few days.”

The phone on Theodore’s desk rang again. All three of them jumped. Theodore answered immediately, putting it on speaker this time.

“Mitchell, report.”

“Your Majesty,” Mitchell’s voice came through clearly. “The operation is underway. SWAT teams are in position. Agent Rogers is leading the hostage extraction team personally. We’re breaching in two minutes.”

“And you’re certain Alexei and Miss Warner are inside?” Theodore’s knuckles were white around the receiver.

“Positive identification through thermal imaging, sir. Two heat signatures in the southeast corner of the building. Four armed hostiles at the northern entrance.”

Amelia moved closer to Niko, who had gone completely still. She slipped her arm around his waist, offering silent support.

“Keep this line open,” Theodore ordered. “I want updates in real–time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

For several minutes, they heard nothing but the occasional burst of static and muffled voices as Mitchell coordinated with the teams on the ground. Amelia’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure the others could hear it.

Then suddenly, Mitchell’s voice returned, urgent and clear: “They’re moving in now, sir.”

What followed was a blur of tactical communications, terms Amelia only half–understood. “Alpha team engaged… flashbangs deployed… hostiles in sight…”

Niko’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her close as they both stared at the phone, willing good news to come through.

“Extraction team at the target room,” Mitchell reported. “Breaching now.”

The silence that followed lasted only seconds but felt like hours.

“We have them!” Mitchell’s voice finally broke through. “Both alive! I repeat, Prince Alexei and Miss Warner secured and alive!”

Niko let out a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh, his body sagging with relief. Theodore closed his eyes briefly, his composure cracking to reveal the worried father beneath.

“Condition?” Theodore demanded.

“Prince Alexei has a head injury, but he’s conscious and alert. Miss Warner appears physically unharmed.”

17:16 Mon, Oct 6 B

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There was another long moment with no updates then. “Both are being moved to ambulances now.”

Amelia felt tears spring to her eyes. “They’re safe,” she whispered, looking up at Niko’s face. His eyes were suspiciously bright as well.

“The hostiles?” Theodore asked.

“All four in custody, Your Majesty. No casualties.”

“Excellent work, Mitchell.” Theodore’s voice was steady once more. “Where are they taking my son?”

“Metropolitan General, it’s the closest hospital.”

“I really wish you would OK me going there,” Niko said immediately.

Theodore held up a hand. “No, Niko.”

“Father, he’s my brother-”

“And he’s my son,” Theodore cut him off. “But rushing to the hospital now would only create a media circus. The press will be swarming as soon as word gets out which it will, and we need to control the narrative.”

“I don’t give a damn about the narrative!” Niko’s voice rose. “Alexei needs his family.”

Amelia squeezed Niko’s hand tightly, understanding his frustration. “The narrative” was the last thing on anyone’s mind when family was in danger. She watched Theodore’s face as he weighed his son’s words against the practicalities of their position.

“I understand your concern,” Theodore said, his voice softening slightly. “But Mitchell is there, and we have a security team with him, they’ll ensure he’s properly cared for.”

“You don’t understand. I feel… helpless,” Niko argued, pulling his hand from Amelia’s to run it through his hair.

Amelia stepped closer to her husband, placing a hand on his arm. “Niko, your father is right about the timing. By the time we arranged the flight and arrived, Alexei would likely be on the way home.” She kept her voice gentle. “We’d create unnecessary complications at a delicate moment.”

Niko turned to her, conflict evident in his dark eyes. She could see how desperately he wanted to be at his brother’s side, but also the dawning recognition of the logistical realities.

“Mitchell will call with any changes to his condition,” Theodore added, his tone conveying that the matter was settled. “Mitchell will arrange for the best hospital staff to look after him.”

The phone rang again. Theodore answered immediately, putting it on speaker.

“Your Majesty, they’ve arrived at Metropolitan General,” Mitchell reported. “Prince Alexei is being taken for scans to assess the head injury. Miss Warner is undergoing evaluation, but appears to be physically unharmed.”

“And security?” Theodore asked.

17:16 Mon, Oct 6 B

“In place, sir. I’ve stationed guards at all entrances to Prince Alexei’s room. No one enters without proper clearance.”

Niko stepped forward. “Mitchell, tell my brother we are so glad he is ok, and we will speak to him soon.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll make sure he knows.”

After the call ended, Amelia watched Niko’s shoulders slump slightly. The adrenaline of the crisis was beginning to wane, leaving exhaustion in its wake. She slipped her arm around his waist, offering silent

support.

“You should both try to rest,” Theodore suggested, looking between them. “It’s been a long night, and there’s nothing more we can do right now.”

“I’m not going anywhere until we know Alexei’s condition,” Niko stated firmly.

Amelia nodded her agreement. “We’ll wait.”

The three of them settled into Theodore’s sitting room, cups of tea growing cold as they waited for updates. The minutes stretched into hours, the silence punctuated only by occasional calls from Mitchell with minimal new information. Alexei was undergoing tests. The hospital security was in place. The kidnappers were being processed by the FBI.

Finally, near dawn, the phone rang again.

“Your Majesty,” Mitchell’s voice sounded tired but relieved. “The doctors have completed their assessment. Prince Alexei has a moderate concussion but no bleeding or swelling in the brain. They’re keeping him overnight for observation, but the prognosis is excellent.”

Niko visibly relaxed, running a hand over his face. “Thank God.”

“What about Miss Warner?” Amelia asked, leaning toward the speaker.

“Physically unharmed,” Mitchell confirmed. “Exhausted and dehydrated, but otherwise well. Her family is with her now.”

Theodore nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. “Mitchell, maintain the security presence. No one enters Prince Alexei’s room unless hospital personnel. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear, Your Majesty. I’ve already instructed the team accordingly.”

After the call ended, Amelia felt the tension finally begin to drain from her body. Alexei was safe. They had averted the worst possible outcome.

“You should go to bed now,“.Theodore said, looking at Niko and Amelia with paternal concern. “Both of you. I’ll have my staff wake you immediately if there are any developments.”

Niko hesitated, then nodded. “Very well. But I want updates on Alexei’s condition, regardless of the time.”

As they walked back to their suite, Amelia kept her arm linked through Niko’s, feeling the residual tension in his body. When they reached their rooms, she expected him to withdraw as he often did during stressful

times, but instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Thank you.” he murmured against her hair. “For staying with me tonight”

Amelia returned the embrace, burying her face against his chest. “Of course. He’s family.”

They stood like that for a long moment, drawing comfort from each other’s presence in a way they hadn’t for months. When they finally separated, Niko looked exhausted but calmer.

“We should try to sleep for a few hours,” Amelia suggested.

Niko nodded, following her into their bedroom.

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