His brother said, "It's true. I don't deserve a crown. I never sought it out. It was offered to my father, because of our family lineage. The people believe if we're here, then our kingdom is blessed from heaven above and that they will all prosper."
Victor snarled and cocked the gun. "Your father bribed people to get back to Avce."
If the bomb went off, in a safe place, perhaps he'd distract Victor too. Marco unlaced the final piece of the trigger and worked on taking the explosive off Greg.
Victor snarled at Antonio. "I get to watch you and your brother die and know I finally stopped you."
It was now or never. Marco released Greg entirely and threw the bomb out the open terrace and toward the river. He then tackled Greg to get down to the ground. He had no time to warn his brother.
The ricochet from outside knocked the others down.
The gun hit the floor. Marco ran to his brother, prone on the floor. Antonio blinked in a daze, but allowed Marco to assist him to a standing position. Greg went for Victor and knocked him out from behind.
Greg kicked Victor for good measure and stood above him. "No one gets to hurt my mother."
If Victor had hurt one hair on the queen’s head, Marco would have done far worse. He coughed and shuffled toward the open patio.
The debris cleared. "Seems like all four walls are still standing."
"Well the legend does say the castle walls will always protect our family." Antonio quipped. "Guess Father was right, for once."
Marco and Antonio went to the balcony and checked the damage he'd done. At least his aim was still spot-on and the bomb went off near the river. "Nobody’s hurt," he said, his shoulders sagging with relief. "I threw it into the river, away from the village and the castle."
"Well done, little brother."
In soldier mode, Marco took out his phone, spoke to the guards and then ended the call. Everyone he loved was outside on the front patio, safe. His face heated when he knelt down to help his brother tie Victor's arms. "I knew Victor was jealous but I had no idea it went this deep."
Antonio shook his head. "He and Sophia cooked up this scheme. The vote and my upcoming wedding to an American made them desperate. Lucio suspected them for a year—we need to find out why."
At least someone in the family had. He should have. Marco felt responsible for the entire mess. He’d failed at his job. "Lucio suspects everyone and trusts no one."
Done, Antonio motioned for them to go. "I should go find Kristin."
"I’ll go with you. They are at the front of the palace." And he needed to see Renee. Marco's muscles tensed as he thought about how she could have been hurt.
Hopefully she didn't care about Greg and only cared about him. General Babik came inside and Marco pointed him to Victor.
Greg, shaking, asked, "Are you going to arrest me here too? I didn't want this to happen."
"I think you'll be fine," Marco said, but his brother tuned into their conversation.
Antonio added, "I get it, you didn't do it."
"Is there a phone so I can talk to my mom again? She's probably sick, thinking I'm dead already."
"Sure." Antonio led him toward the guards and the phone. Marco kept walking for the door.
Antonio caught up with him before he reached the hall—he must have run. Marco turned his way. "I owe you an apology, Antonio."
"Yeah?" The jubilant cries outside the palace were better than New Year's celebrations. They paused to take it in—Marco searched the grounds but only saw locals he’d seen almost every day since he moved to Avce.
Finally, Marco's gaze met Renee's. She was fine. Her hair glowed in the afternoon sunshine. He slapped Antonio’s shoulder and said, "Perhaps your computer search wasn't all wrong."
Antonio's search for a bride had brought Marco Renee. But maybe he didn't deserve her… She craved safety and he was a man who dove into danger. Right now, he needed to touch her. Antonio interrupted his thoughts. "You and Renee are... cozy."
Marco's face felt hot. "She's sweet and determined to head home. I'm going to try and see her after your wedding."
He hurried down the palace steps to Renee and she wrapped her arms around him. He did the same and captured her lips with his.
Nothing else mattered but Renee. His hands brushed against her body and all he wanted was to take her, again. He needed to show her that she was his and he intended to keep her.
The thought hit him like a cold steel rod. She didn’t want to be kept.
He lifted his head as his brother explained to their father, "Marco disarmed the bomb strapped to an innocent man's chest. Victor was in league with Sophia—they are both in custody. How are you, Father?"
Cameras took video of their every move. The world knew Renee belonged to him. He tightened his hold around her shoulders.
His mother took control of the public situation by addressing the crowd of cheering people. "King Leopoldo will make a full recovery."
Marco brought Renee into his inner circle of family, where she'd be safe.
His father, the king, motioned for the nurses to turn him toward the reporters. He then took Antonio's hand. "I will be standing at your wedding, son."
His mother’s keen gaze noticed how tightly he held Renee's hand. She turned fast and spoke for the family, united. "And be there for when the votes are tallied."
His mother then came beside Renee and winked at her. He had no idea what that was about. Renee scooted closer and stared at him.
Every part of him wanted to bring her to his room and show her how intensely he cared for her.
Renee blinked and asked, "Where's Greg?"
Something churned inside him, and he hated the feeling entirely. His hands brushed against her back, holding her. "He's talking to his mother, inside."
"Good. I was worried about him and his mother too." She swallowed and placed her head on his chest. "Marco, I was so scared for you. I didn't know what to do."
"I'm okay." He bit back mentioning what bothered him and instead held her in his arms. "Let's get back inside. I promised you a date tonight."
"I want to be with you. I don't care what we do." Renee glanced up at him. "But no more threats or violence."
"Fair enough." He walked with her into the palace, holding her hand. "Normally our castle doesn't see this much excitement. I think half of it is because you and Kristin are American. But I promise to get to the bottom of it."
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To be alone." Tonight, he'd have servants set up the tower room that overlooked the river and village. The room was small, but they could picnic among the stars and be together. If she wanted to leave, he’d have to let her see everything she’d miss, including him.
12
Marco had to go meet with the generals. Kristin was with Antonio so Renee pilfered through the dresses in her bedroom until she found a dark green sundress with flower designs. The material was soft and perfect for her date.
She showered, changed and stared at herself in the mirror. Life with Marco was dangerous and every time she thought about Greg and that bomb, her stomach twisted.
However, Marco's kiss sent her into another orbit. She applied a coat of lip gloss when there was a knock on the door.
Before she could even call out, the queen entered. Renee dropped her lip gloss on the vanity. "Good evening."
"Tomorrow is Kristin's wedding to Antonio." The queen closed the door.
Yes, Kristin had left a note that the bridesmaid’s dress would be delivered in the morning. "Just let me know how I can help."
"I'm looking forward to planning your wedding next." The queen sat on the vanity bench. "I had Lucio pull your background check which only convinced me further that you matched my son, but there was one thing I wanted to discuss with you."
"Other than Marco hasn't asked me to marry him?" Renee sat across from the queen.
"No, this is about your parents." Queen Anna dug into her pocket and showed Renee the open browser on her phone. "You left h
ome after they disapproved of your boyfriend, Tom Heights, who is one of the most successful venture capitalists in the world now."
"That was a long time ago." Renee had blocked Tom and her parents talk with her from her mind, a long time ago. That was two months before she'd moved to Miami and became Kristin's roommate. Kristin had met him once when he returned a few of her personal items but refused to talk to her.
The queen leaned forward. "Why did you leave a man who became a multibillionaire? Most women would have told their parents that their disapproval didn't matter."
True. She sniffled and picked up a tissue so she didn't blot all her makeup. If Tom had been nicer, perhaps she would have. Marco treated her like she mattered and it should be enough for anyone. "Because... because I was stupid and valued their approval."
Queen Anna Camilla reached out and took her hand. "Renee, I read this and wanted to let you know that you'd be part of my family if you stayed and I'd very much like to have you as a daughter as well. Don't judge my son based on your parents."
Tear poured down her face at Anna’s genuine warmth. She didn’t care that her makeup was ruined. Her own parents’ voices replayed in her head from years ago when they spoke about Tom being unreliable and a bad match for her because he valued his job. Her mother had said she needed someone stable.
"I can't believe you found out about Tom." Renee wiped her eyes. "I haven't thought about him in years."
"It's getting late and you have a date with my son." The queen stood. "I just wanted to tell you that despite your parents’ beliefs, there are benefits to being a princess and in our family."
"Thank you!" Renee walked her to the door, stunned by the depth of release she felt. Then, she sat before the vanity and reapplied her mascara. Tom was history—and she closed the book on him once and for all.
It was time. She opened the door to the hall and saw her maid. "Which way is the South Tower?"
"Do you have another date with Prince Marco tonight, ma'am?"
She wasn't a ma'am, but she bit her tongue. "Yes, and I'm a little late, Anise."
"You remembered my name," the maid said in a surprised voice.
"Of course! You’ve taken such good care of me while I’ve been here. Everyone has been so nice."
Anise slipped in and went to the bathroom to change the towels, but she left the door open. "I'm sure Queen Anna has been kind but with the vote tomorrow, a lot of us in the castle are worried something else might happen."
Right. She and Kristin had almost been killed because of this vote. Her skin felt prickly. "How are you voting?"
Anise lowered her lashes as she walked out holding the dirty towels. "The King and Queen have brought us economic prosperity. I don't believe that their return meant all of our futures are blessed, but there are many who do."
Hopefully this meant no more plots against his family after tomorrow. Renee pointed to the left. "This way?"
"Yes, ma'am." Anise curtsied.
Renee went up the last flight of stairs and prayed she made it to the right tower. She slipped her hand around the wooden handle and opened. Once inside she gasped. The stone floor was covered with a blanket, surrounded by flickering candles. Food on trays and a flagon of wine—all meant to romance. She glanced up and saw the stars in the open sky.
Marco came out of the side room. "I was about to send the Calvary to look for you."
"Your mother visited." She walked into the room. The night sky above them and the bright moon mixed with the lights made the castle tower almost magical. "Now this must be where you take all your dates."
"Truthfully, a couple times, when I was twenty-four maybe, but it's been a long while." Marco reached for her. "This was the best I could do for tonight, since I worked late and we both have to be up early tomorrow for the wedding."
She pointed to the blanket. "I'm a little hungry, so your snacks and the blanket look tempting."
"Good." He took her hand and helped her to sit. "When we moved here, this was one of the first places I discovered. My father found me sleeping outside more than once, but I love looking at the clear sky. Growing up in London, I never saw any stars and often enough not even the moon."
"In Miami, the smog blinds most of this too." She popped a chocolate covered strawberry in her mouth. "So, did you get my background check too or just your mother?"
Marco's eyebrows went up but then he handed her a glass of white wine. "Is that what you two talked about?"
"Yeah." She sipped and the crisp white blended perfectly with the tart strawberry. Then she scoffed like she shared a joke. "She wants to plan our wedding for next week, after your brother’s."
"I read your background check that Lucio sent over." Marco lowered his head. "It seems all your exes think fondly of you, especially Tom Heights, the investment banker."
"Well that's nice to hear." She took another drink for fortification. Tom had left fast and never returned after meeting her parents. "Unlike you, I've not dated that many people."
"Don't believe what you read in the newspapers." He held out his glass for her to clink. "Tonight, it's about us. Renee, the idea that you were in the room with that bomb terrified me."
"To be truthful, I was terrified too, but I don’t want to talk about that. Cheers." They drank but the memory floated in her mind of Marco running toward danger. "How did you come with all your gear? I guess it doesn't matter, though, as you were my hero."
"I'm no one's hero." He drained his glass. "I should have suspected Sophia, and Victor. I was blind."
Sophia seemed like someone she’d avoid at all costs. "Don't beat yourself up on that. It's hard to suspect people who practically grew up in your house."
"You are sweet." He put his glass down. "I confess, I was jealous of you hugging Greg."
"Really?" She put her glass down next to his, then looked up with a smile as a shooting star caught her attention. The bright trail it left in its wake was spellbinding and hopefully this brought them good luck. "But I've been in your bed, since the moment we met—besides, nothing ever happened with Greg."
"You wanted him though?"
"I wanted to bring him home."
He winced like she’d slapped him.
The light crackle of the flame on the candle made lying next to Marco one of the best moments to remember. "My parents have never been supportive of any man I ever brought home. I thought if I brought him home, an accountant who is handy around the apartment and can fix his car, that they'd finally stop lecturing me about my bad choices."
"Would your parents object to me?" He asked as if it was a foreign idea that her mother night not approve.
She sipped her wine and explained, "Absolutely, but I really liked that your mom came to see me tonight. I have a history of caving into my parents, when I shouldn't. Her questions about that hit me hard."
He stiffened on the blanket. "I'm curious, why wouldn’t they like me?"
Those sexy brown eyes of his made her forget everything else. She sat across from him, and wished she could stay lost, but she blinked and stared into her wine glass. "You'd not show up at the Jupiter Country Club social events."
"They could come to a few royal events with my parents." He refilled her glass. "I promise I generally behave myself at social gatherings."
She laughed and put her glass down. "I'm sure you do. I made my parents sound like snobs, but they just want me to be happy. Their kind of happy. Golf three times a week, tennis, and Sunday brunch at the club. Jupiter is beautiful but it isn’t this." She gestured toward the forest with the river through it that if she listened close enough, she could hear the sound of moving water. "As a prince, you would have a home here, and social obligations that might not allow us to have a home in Jupiter, which means that you won’t match my list."
His left eyebrow quirked upward. "Your list?"
She counted down on her fingers. "My list: buy the house next to them, throw the family barbecue and visit all the neighbors with some dish I cooked."
He put his glass down and placed his hand on her knee. "Oh, you cook?"
She shook her head but felt a smile growing on her face. "No, not really. Kristin and I survived on takeout."
"So, you marrying a prince would be the worst news for them?" He stroked her knee in a gentle motion. "I'd actually like to meet them more now."
"No." She covered her mouth after her shout, embarrassed.
Marco pulled his hand off her, fast. She reached for his hand and put it back on her knee. "I want you, but I don't want my father's voice in my head making me question everything. My mother knows it’s his voice that gets inside my mind. I can't drown out stupid sayings like ‘a man’s golf swing can tell a lot about his character.’"
"I can play golf. I’m reasonably good." His laughter came from his belly and it caught her off guard. She peeked at him, her head tilted to the side as he explained, "Tonight is going the opposite of how I’d planned."
Her eyebrows arched but the tension left her shoulders. "How?"
He bumped shoulders with her and pointed to the golden, round moon shining bright against the midnight sky. Stars twinkled like jewels. "See that?" Marco turned to her with a sensual smile. "I intended to seduce you up here."
"Now that is still possible." She giggled and guided his hand to her chest.
He pulled away and leaned back on his elbows, eyes to the glittering sky. A dark lock of hair brushed the top of his ear and she gently smoothed it down. "Not with talking about our parents like this." He then lifted her knee and placed it on his lap. "Renee, I have to say my mother has the right idea about you."
His touch sent off a bolt through her that felt warmer than dipping into a hot spring. She sighed. "What idea is that?"
"That you're a keeper." He traced her thigh.
Her lips tingled for his kiss and her body began to heat up despite the night chill in the air. "And here I thought we were just going to be a one-night stand."
He took her hand. "Would you want more?"
More time with Marco would allow her to know him better before making any life-long decision. Her heart skipped at the idea, but she answered honestly. "I can't take anymore bombing or assassination attempts, but if we can avoid those, then yes. I like spending time with you."
Forbidden Prince (Princes of Avce Book 2) Page 7
