Forbidden Royal

by Victoria Pinder

  "Ooohh." She answered as words didn't form in her throat. All she could do was feel and the explosion of sensation overwhelmed everything else.

  Soon she was lost with him fully inside her. Lucio completed her and showed her why everyone else considered this fun. She was now a believer.

  13

  Amy woke up with a start. Lucio's arms around her made her feel cared for, though her body had a few aches in places that she never felt before.

  With Kevin, it had been all off-balance. Clearly her parents had thrown the wrong guy at her and in that moment of confusion, she’d made a big mistake. Touching Kevin had been like touching a fish left out in the sun too long, despite his handsome exterior. Lucio, all male, had shown her pleasure. He tasted, felt and smelled like a sexy man. She curled into him more. He squeezed her shoulders and kept her close. "I never knew it was that much fun."

  "Glad you liked it." He hugged her.

  Her heart began to pound as the smell of the best man in the world invaded her senses and a smile grew on her face. "You are really good at this. It must have been the thousands of women you dated."

  "Doubtful." He chuckled and kissed her cheek and settled on holding her. "It mostly instinct. I wanted to ensure you had a good time."

  "I definitely did." She gazed up at him. His warm mahogany eyes invited pleasure. She uncurled and stretched forward so she could kiss his cheek too.

  He chuckled low. "So, you'll be in a good mood to meet my mother this afternoon and pick out a wedding dress."

  "Nothing could hurt me now." She sat, ready to get up, her nakedness powerful. She turned and noticed that he watched.

  Lucio twirled a blonde lock of her hair around his finger and sat beside her. "Let's not tempt fate, sweetheart. After dinner, you’re mine for the night."

  Now that sounded promising. She almost said something but his phone rang on the night stand. She picked it up, saw his older brother's name, and handed it to him. "Your phone..."

  "Antonio?" He stood.

  The air around Lucio electrified and not in a good way. The beam in his face dissipated. She tugged the sheets around her. She'd not go anywhere until she understood what was wrong.

  "Where?" A second later he nodded, "I'll meet you downstairs in five minutes."

  Done, he hung up the phone and grabbed a pair of pants from the closet. She stood with the sheet and crossed the room. As he pulled his black slacks on, she asked, "What's going on?"

  He chose a polo shirt from the shelf. "Whoever is leading the anarchists has a clear plan. They just attacked a financial center downtown. I'm going to help."

  He pulled on the shirt and she nodded her understanding. "Go."

  He kissed her forehead and rubbed her arms. "Shower. I'll be back soon."

  She hugged him. Lucio running into danger scared her but she tried not to show her feelings. "Do you have a printer I can plug into here? I want to print out a report for you to see."

  "It’s all in the office off the kitchenette." He strode to the front door. "Goodbye, Amy."

  She waved. A second later, she heard the click and knew she was alone. She dragged the sheet with her and returned it to the bed, and then dashed for the bathroom.

  Energized after her shower, she changed into a gray pantsuit and matching blouse with a single button at the back. Lucio had to be okay because she felt this hum in her veins that wouldn't quit. She studied the room one last time. The soft sheets where she’d found her transformation. For the rest of her life she’d never think sex was only a chore to avoid. "Guess it's time for me to find my parents."

  She slipped out of the suite into the massive hallway. Amy stayed on the red Persian carpet to ensure her shoes didn't scratch the polished floors and once again the portraits of Lucio's ancestors struck her. The entire family had a kissed-by-God handsomeness that no artist could get quite right. Lucio’s brooding, rebellious glint-in-his eyes was missing and his face seemed duller in the portrait without that lightness that warmed her.

  Finally, she made it to the open stairwell and looked both up and down. She'd need a map of the place, but as she took her first few steps down, her sister's voice echoed around her. "Amy!"

  "Evie." She slowed until she saw her sister climbing the steps for her.

  Evie latched her arm to hers and led her down the stairs. "I saw Lucio running to the door. Is everything fine with him?"

  Her sister shouldn't ask about Lucio with that tone of concern. Her stomach went into knots, but Amy tried to stay cool. "Royal business to attend to." She’d been thinking about finding lunch but there was no way she'd be able to eat near her sister. None. They walked another few steps and she asked, "Care to walk in the gardens with me?"

  Evie smiled as if genuinely happy to be asked. "I'd love to." They made it to the bottom step and Evie asked, "How are the wedding plans coming?"

  Amy's back stiffened. She didn't want to have this discussion. Staff opened the patio door which led to the garden. Amy nodded at the man who held her door, realizing she’d have to tell her sister something. "We haven't really made too many yet. How are yours coming? The house in Scotland is lovely."

  "It is. Michael and I are very happy." They walked down the last set of steps and reached the path in the gardens that meandered toward the fountain.

  "That's good to hear." For a few minutes, they walked in uncomfortable silence. The light wind in the air brushed against their skin and rustled the green leaves, making this early fall still feel like summer.

  As they turned toward the house again, Amy felt a tick in her vein. She glanced at her sister, and decided to be completely honest. "I wondered if you were here to cause problems for Lucio and me." Her sister's face went white, but Amy took a breath and continued, "I'm glad to know I was wrong and that you're here to be a supportive sister."

  Evie's face pinched. "I want what's best for you, Amy, and to let you know that you do not have to go through with Mom and Dad's contract. Michael and I agreed to support you if you needed to get away."

  She flinched. Her sister had tried to be nice and the ground hadn’t broken apart under their feet? If Evie really had spoken to Michael, then maybe she saw the years of fighting as a mistake.

  Amy wasn’t sure what to believe. While there was nothing wrong with Evie, Amy hadn’t ever felt that close. Her heart began to beat a little faster at the thought her sister was now making amends and warmth heated her cheeks. She deflected the conversation. "Thanks. I'm happy here." They continued to walk but the dark-haired American in form-fitting maternity blue jeans that showed off her slightly pregnant body rushed down the steps toward them. Amy smiled brighter. "Oh, here comes Renee."

  "Renee?"

  Hadn’t her sister been at the castle before she and Lucio? Amy kept the immediate question to herself and supplied, "Marco’s new wife."

  Renee walked toward them and Amy let go of her sister's locked arm. "Renee, it's nice to see you again."

  Renee glanced at both of them with a smile though she protectively held her belly. "The queen is expecting you for an audience, Amy. Are you ready?"

  No one told her she was to see the queen immediately. She’d assumed Lucio meant later in the afternoon because he said after lunch, but she turned toward her sister and shrugged. "I must go. Talk to you later, Evie."

  Evie reached out and hugged her like she'd actually missed her. Amy stood awkwardly then finally hugged her back. Renee led her back up the steps.

  Once on the patio, Amy caught up. The servants opened the doors for them and Renee slowed down. "Are you all right? Any knife in your back?"

  Not today. Lucio's touch replayed in her mind. She shook her head and answered, "I'm too happy to let her get to me."

  Renee stared at her like she’d just said something very naïve. Amy knew that look well as it was an almost daily occurrence in high school from her sister's friends. Renee quickly warmed though. "Oh goodness, well Kristin and I will help you, no matter what happens."

  "Th
anks." She hoped nothing went wrong. She shouldn't need support against her family or her sister. She’d marry Lucio in a few days and this time it would be because she’d chosen her life, not because they pushed her. She’d accept being royalty and switch her loyalties to those that respected her.

  "This way." Renee opened the doors for them to go inside a conference room with racks of white dresses.

  Queen Anna Camilla and Kristin both stood from the table they’d been sitting at. Lucio's mother outstretched her hands, walked toward them and said, "Amy Fields, it's a pleasure to see you again."

  "Your Majesty." Amy's head went down and she curtsied. She wasn't sure how to address Lucio's mother now that she was a queen.

  The queen reached out and brushed her arms. "Anna, please, just as you called me when we lived in England."

  "You weren't a queen then." Amy glanced upward and saw the smile on her face. She looked better than her memories painted her, but that was probably the makeup. In England, Lucio’s mother often worked in her garden without any eyeshadow or lipstick.

  Her lips curved into the same smile that Lucio had inherited. "No, but you called me by my name and since we're to be family now, there is no need to be formal."

  True. Amy let out a breath. "Anna Camilla, has Lucio spoken to you concerning the date?"

  "Yes." She stepped backwards and pointed to all the white dresses behind her. "He said the day after tomorrow, so we don't have a lot of time with details. It's why I asked you here now."

  She swallowed. If anyone had answers though, it was Anna. "Have you heard from Lucio or the others? I was worried about what happened in the financial district."

  Anna took her hands and turned her toward the dresses. "They are all safe and accounted for. My boys are meeting with the local police to identify the faces of the aggressors."

  Good. At least Amy could relax. She stared at the countless racks that seemed larger than the bridal store on the corner of her street in London. "After this, I need to work on a report I promised Lucio."

  Kristin poured four cups of tea on the side table where she'd been sitting with the queen before Amy came in. She set them on the table. "Would you like your mom or Suzie here when you pick out the dress?"

  Her mother would find a way to relate picking a dress to their business or how she’d be related to the royal family too. "No. I'll show them later, if that's possible."

  Renee walked past a rack of dresses and picked one up as she said, "Amy, anything is possible. You're about to be a princess."

  She'd promised Lucio to handle this. "It feels strange to hear that, but I'll do it." She went through the first rack and her mind swirled. This could take all day. "There are so many."

  Renee joined Kristin at the table and didn’t seem to mind the slight pouch of her stomach. Renee must be one of those women that pregnancy never bothered as she joked, "And different from the months ago when Kristin and I ransacked the racks. These are the latest designs."

  Names of designers she knew rushed through her and she searched the rack for the matches. Once she found one, she stopped. Hopefully it fit. "I'm starting with this one. Vivienne Westwood was one of my favorites."

  "So was Lucio." Renee winked and sat down with her cup of tea.

  "True!" A huge smile grew on her face. Lucio had been her crush. She walked to the changing room.

  She put the dress on but couldn't lace it. She called out, "Can someone help?"

  "Absolutely," Renee said. The loose material tightened as Renee snapped buttons and tugged on the strings. Amy stared at herself in the full-size mirror. The magnificent dress brought her dreams closer to reality. Once she was completely in, she walked out to show everyone. "So, what do you think?"

  "Wow. You look gorgeous," Anna Camilla said.

  Amy wondered if she radiated happiness. "I feel amazing—like a princess for a day."

  She twirled and watched the fabric follow her—this was better than a dream. Soon, Lucio would be forever hers.

  14

  Is Lucio Aussa set to marry his stalker?

  As Amy went to change out of her wedding dress, she heard the television report in the background. She shuffled out of the dressing room and joined Renee, Kristin and Anna before the TV.

  "While there is no official word coming from the Royal House of Avce, our reporters have uncovered these disturbing pictures of a woman currently staying in the castle after spending the night at Lucio Aussa's private castle in the Deskle Mountains."

  Someone had leaked news about their one night at the North Castle? She'd literally seen two servants the entire time, though there were clearly a lot more around. She hugged her waist and stared at the dark-haired reporter.

  "If the rumors are true, that this Amy Fields will be the newest princess of Avce, this reporter wonders if the royal family will be adding a possible criminal to its ranks."

  Criminal? No one ever thought that about her. Amy felt cold and goosebumps rose along her nape. She turned toward the table and saw all three of the women looking at her. She lowered her gaze. Her sister had forced her to take awful sappy pictures of her and Lucio in high school. In rebellion, she’d snapped anguished self-portraits that she’d never developed, realizing she was being immature. In her defense, she’d been fourteen. "I cared about Lucio so much. Those were silly and reactionary, where I made faces at the camera. No one was supposed to see them."

  Anna quickly wrapped Amy in a hug that soothed her pride. Amy eventually ended it and stepped back. Anna fixed her crown. "We'll have you and Lucio do a few interviews this afternoon. Get dressed and look bridal. Those pictures can be seen as teen angst, if you say what you just said to the cameras."

  Blood returned to her face and she nodded. "How did they even get those photos?"

  "Your sister," Renee said without flinching.

  Evie had never liked sharing anything with her, ever. The one Christmas "Santa" forgot to put all her toys under the tree until her presents were all found at Grandma's house played in her mind. Her mother had told Evie to share and her sister's face went red with rage. So yes, she believed that her sister was at the top of the suspect list, but Renee couldn't know that. "You think?"

  Renee shrugged. "Who else would even know the photos existed?"

  True, except her parents, but they wouldn’t sabotage a potential royal wedding in the family. They’d wanted to be related to royals all her life, even if Evie was the favorite. Without guidance, no reporter would go through her parents’ spare room that was used for storage. Amy turned around and headed back toward the dressing area. Had her sister’s offer of help by the fountain been a ploy to lower her guard? "Good point. Let me get dressed. Help loosen me?"

  "No problem." Renee followed her to the small room where she unsnapped and unlaced everything. Once the fabric was loose, Renee disappeared and Amy wiggled out.

  She hung the dress on the hanger with care and redressed. Her feet into her flats, she went out and saw that Anna still waited for her, though Renee and Kristin were gone. Anna said, "I'll send a few clothing options into your bedroom for the interviews and hair and makeup. I want you to look like an angel for the cameras."

  Seems like she’d get the full treatment. Anna Camilla was as kind now as she’d been in Amy's memory of those times she lingered on the lawn not wanting to knock on the door of the Aussa house and get her sister. "Thanks, Anna. I should go to my room and get the report ready for Lucio."

  "I know you’ll be a good partner to him, dear." They both made their way out, but turned to go in different directions.

  Amy waved and took off. With hair and makeup, she'd not have a lot of time for research. She rushed to her bedroom, and fired up the laptop. She’d finished three out of ten programs when the makeup and hair ladies appeared.

  For the next hour, she hopped on the computer to run a few more in between whatever the beauty experts did next. With her hair in an updo and flawless skin that shone, she thanked them all. But once they were done,
she printed her old report and put together seven out of the ten program findings into a new folder. She heard the light hum of the printer when the door opened. She jumped out of her seat, and stared into the warm gaze of the man she very much desired. "Lucio, I'm just printing the last of it."

  "Last of what?" He kissed her cheek and proceeded into the room and pulled off his shoes.

  Didn’t he remember? Maybe he hadn’t meant for her to actually help. She swallowed. "The reports. One is from the day we reconnected and the new one is my findings so far. I have more programs running."

  He shrugged, took his shoes and headed to the closet. "Oh. I'll read it later. My mother insisted I change into a suit for our interviews."

  She straightened her powder blue ruffled dress and followed him inside his closet. He sorted through his suits while she asked, "How was everything in the financial center?"

  "Strange." Choosing three different options, he then turned to her. "By the time my brothers and I made it the scare was over and most of the perpetrators had fled. The ones we did apprehend were mostly teenagers who had no idea what they were being paid to do other than hold signs and protest."

  He sorted through the pants as if looking for one in particular. "I'm sorry you didn't get more. Perhaps the bombs match one of the profiles I pulled for you to check?"

  His head tilted and he stared at her, puzzled. "Profiles? Where is this report?"

  She pointed out to the bedroom. "On the printer. But you can read them on my laptop."

  He chose a navy blue suit, hung the other two and went toward her laptop. He flipped through the new report with the profile pictures and then grinned at her like she was an angel. "Amy, this is great. I wasn't expecting anything so detailed. I'll send these profiles to Babik, our general, to see if any of these men entered the country."

  Relieved, she nodded, just glad to see that he realized she knew what she was talking about. She picked up a tie that was dark blue with powder blue lines. "The blue tie looks great and matches my dress."