Forbidden Royal

by Victoria Pinder

  He reached out and hugged her waist, looking into her eyes. "You look glamorous. I should have told you that when I walked in the room."

  Now her face felt hot. If she kissed him, she'd leave a trail of lipstick and they had to be on air in a few minutes. Instead she stepped back and held onto his wrist. "Thanks. I haven't done my makeup professionally since I was in a friend Deidre's wedding a few years ago."

  Lucio fixed the tie around his neck. "Did you invite her to our wedding?"

  She straightened her simple gold chain in the mirror. "Come to think of it, I've not invited any of my friends."

  He offered her his arm to lead her out the door. She accepted. "Well, make out the invitations before dinner. Anyone you invite is welcome. I'll even send the jet."

  Once again Lucio was kind beyond her imagination. Most of her friends did well but last minute tickets were rather pricy. They walked down the hall together, but her mind flashed to her best friend that she hadn’t yet seen. "Speaking of friends, I’d like to find Suzie after the interviews."

  He held her close. "As you requested, she has a full agenda, but she'll be at dinner."

  "Perfect." Lucio must have set up a tour or something for her family and friend. She'd not seen her parents in a while either. "Thanks for looking out for her and my parents."

  "I just want you to be happy." They walked toward a side room near a balcony on the first floor. "Are you ready for this interview?"

  He reached for the door knob but she tugged back. "No. I should have worn my pearls. I touch them when I get flustered."

  "I’ve noticed. Hold my hand instead." He opened the door for them to go into a room that had six video cameras all focused on the two chairs in the middle, across from an attractive dark-haired, olive-skinned female reporter. The center of the room was so bright, Amy wondered if her skin might melt. Lucio's hand kept her steady as they proceeded into the area. The reporter stood, curtsied toward Lucio and then offered her hand to shake Amy’s. "Your Highness. Ms. Fields. Welcome."

  Lucio placed his hand on her back as he guided her to sit beside him. "Miss Amy Fields has agreed to be my wife."

  The reporter’s eyes widened, but she sat in her chair and smiled for the camera. "So, the rumors are true. Congratulations. Can you tell us about the pictures the world saw of you today?"

  Amy's knees locked, but she leaned forward. The queen told her to explain in the same way she’d shared with them. She took a deep breath, tried to smile for the camera, and said, "I took them myself." She glanced at Lucio and gathered her courage. "It's true that as a teenager, I was jealous of my sister's then boyfriend." She returned her attention to the reporter and prayed everyone believed her. "Photography is a hobby of mine, so Evie had me take photos of her and Lucio. The pictures on the news were my reactions to the romantic shots, dramatic as only a fourteen-year-old girl can be. I was too embarrassed to ever develop them."

  The reporter nodded with empathy. "The photos do show jealousy."

  Lucio's hand went to her knee. "I was a foolish teenager myself. Amy was right under my nose and I almost missed out on the woman who makes me happy because I wasn't thinking with my heart or my head. I'm happy Amy has forgiven me."

  The reporter pivoted for a camera. "How could she not?" She then leaned forward like they were friends. "Miss Fields, how did the photos get released if you took them yourself? It seems strange that every news station around the world received the same email."

  Now that was new information. Amy shifted, keeping her expression open. "I'd love to see the email address. My photo collection is mostly stored in my apartment in London...but these would have been at my parents’ home." If it was Evie’s email she’d get the proof. "I have my suspicions on who sent them."

  The reporter turned for the camera. "Care to share who?"

  Amy closed her mouth, unsure of what to say.

  Lucio squeezed her knee. "We have the palace forensic team discovering who sent this email and there will be repercussions."

  "So when is the big day?" The reporter’s pivots didn’t look at all phony, suggesting she must be good at her job.

  Lucio curled the corner of his lips into a sly smile that Amy saw on countless photos of him. "Soon. My mother is discussing the details with the local priest of our family's church. We will make an announcement soon."

  Lucio patted her leg and she understood they were standing. He placed his hand on her lower back to lead her out.

  The reporter stood as well. "We'll all be looking forward to the big day, Your Highness."

  He nodded and motioned for her to do the same. She followed directions and he led her out the same double doors they’d entered. The second the doors closed, a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. "That wasn't too bad."

  Lucio kept the pace fast, but he met her gaze with approval. "You were good. Now let's get back upstairs so I can go through the suspect list."

  Right. The list. He could read what she found so far while she finished that list for him. She'd show him that she was good for him in all ways, even professionally.

  15

  Lucio held her hand the entire time they walked back to their room. Amy had so much to say. She admitted that years ago she’d had a major crush on him, but that had nothing to do with her feelings now. Lucio was again stealing her heart and she had no idea if he even wanted it as part of the package. She needed to talk to him.

  He opened their door. She steeled her nerves to launch into conversation, but Lucio let her go, took off his shoes, and walked into the closet, exchanging his shoes for his laptop. "I'm uploading the files so you can keep working. I have the police and the military checking all records of the ones you sent already. Tomorrow, I’ll show you my office downstairs near my brothers."

  "Glad we’re here." Fair enough. Work first. Talk second. They had all night so getting business out of the way was reasonable. She went to her laptop that was still on the vanity and nodded. She handed the papers to him as he sat at a small enclave to use as his desk. "On it." She took a seat opposite him and let her shoes drop to the floor under her chair. "I'll have the update within the hour. Also, read the report I wrote recently on your country. I think my work is being used in a different way than intended and if I'm right, your family may be next."

  "My family?" His eyebrows arched from over his laptop.

  She turned her computer on, then tapped his knee to gain his attention. "In my report, I saw one of the strengths of the country is that your family is loved by your constituents and some see your family as a bridge to their own financial success of the future. So if someone is using my report, they'd find a way to discredit that in some way."

  He flipped through the papers she laid next to him. "Who did you give this report to?"

  At Whitehall and Fisk, she didn't book the clients. She was paid on delivery, and she’d gotten a bonus for the rush job. She truthfully had no idea who other than the face of the man who creeped her out at her office. Her face heated. "I don't know. It was ordered and I delivered per instructions. A man came to pick it up and that was it."

  He leaned forward in his chair. "Could you identify the man if you needed to?"

  "Yes." She nodded her head fast. She'd never forget the goosebumps she’d gotten near the man. "He was older and slightly heavy-set—he was waiting for me out on the sidewalk, and then walked with me back to my office. His boss was in a hurry for the report. I spent probably ten minutes talking to him."

  He read her first page. "Interesting. It could be a clue."

  They worked in silence as the minutes ticked past. She had the last three programs running. She finished and saw that his computer was connected to hers. He must have set up that security feature. She didn't question it, but told him, "I just completed my reports. Sending you in airdrop."

  A second later, she heard his computer ping and saw he accepted the file. She stilled as she watched his face while he read. He clearly understood every word, and a vein in his forehead l
ightly throbbed as he concentrated. Once he finished reading the full report with updated profiles, she heard him send the file to someone else at the same time he asked her, "How do you know how to do this?"

  She closed her laptop and put it beside her chair. "I'm an analyst. It's been my job."

  He closed his laptop as well and scooted his chair forward, taking her hand in his. "You are obviously very talented and will be a great asset to my family."

  Family. Yes. She needed to talk to him. Her heart sped up from his simple touch, but he was right. First, they needed to clear the evening of all potential problems. She pressed her lips together as she wasn't sure how to broach her tender heart's current question about love. Instead she stayed in the now. "Can we talk about who sent the pictures?"

  He released her hand. "Your sister. Who else would have access to the photos?"

  Her parents wanted her wedding and they'd not leave the door to their house open to anyone. But if Amy still had her key, Evie likely did too. Tonight was to be just them and once everything was cleared up, she'd find a way to tell him that he was her world. Later. She stood. "The pictures were at my parents’ house. I'll talk to her right away."

  He handed over her shoes. Right—storming the palace to find Evie while barefoot probably wasn’t a good idea. She used his arm as an anchor and slipped them on. He went to the closet to get his as he said, "And I need to have a personal conversation with my brothers and Babik, the general. Can we start our evening together in an hour? Dinner is first on my mind. I’m getting hungry."

  "Me too." One hour until she had to tell him how she felt. Hopefully this might strengthen their marriage, but a "what if" game started in her head. She drowned out the noise. "Sounds good. I want to clear the air."

  "Oh? Come here. I missed you." He wrapped his arms around her waist.

  His kiss was strong and she held him tight. Loving him was so natural and part of her and it only intensified as he held her close enough to hear his heart. She had to find out if he might love her too.

  The kiss ended and she smiled, looping her hands around the back of his neck. "Good, because I missed you too."

  "If you want your sister on the next flight, it can be arranged. Anything you want is yours."

  Did that include his heart? She'd have to ask, but for now she adjusted her blue dress and checked for wrinkles while she avoided his gaze. "All I want is our wedding to go off without a hitch. I'm worried about what might happen to your family—if something does, it's my fault."

  He rubbed the small of her back. "No, it's not. Relax. I'll deal with the bad guys. You deal with your sister."

  "Okay, I'm going." She straightened her spine and walked to the door. They left the suite together.

  He kissed her forehead and they separated on the landing when he went upstairs. She quietly made her way down to the hall where the guests were. Her parents had the door to their suite open and she heard them talking about their plans for cement in Avce. Amy assumed it was to someone on the phone, and headed straight to her sister's room and knocked.

  No one answered. She tried the door and it opened. She stuck her head in and asked, "Evie, are you in here?"

  Her sister with her perfect blonde hair and blue eyes came out from her balcony, wrapped in a white shawl, like she let the evening warm air dry her off. "Amy! You shouldn't be here right now."

  Now, if her sister and Michael were in the middle of a romantic interlude then she didn't want to be in the room either, but Amy saw no sign of Michael. She pushed open the door and squared her shoulders. "Did you send the pictures to the news?"

  "No." Evie urged her inside and closed the door behind her.

  Calling her a liar might feel good, but would accomplish nothing. Instead, Amy crossed her arms. "Who else would even know the pictures existed?"

  Evie's face paled, but she crossed her right hand over her chest. "I don't know, but I didn't send them to the news. I swear it on Grandmother's grave."

  An image of their sweet grandmother reading them both a story while they were curled up in her bed flashed in her mind. "You loved her."

  Evie nodded. "We both did."

  There was no way her sister would lie using their grandmother’s name. Amy's shoulders slumped. "Then who emailed those pictures?"

  Her sister’s cheeks went from white to red. Amy listened close for the truth as Evie said, "I don't know about an email. But yesterday, a man came to my house in Scotland and threatened to destroy me if I didn't give him something about you and Lucio. I went to our parents’ London house and searched through the storage room, stumbling over the box of pictures, and that old camera—with the undeveloped rolls. Oh, Amy, I am sorry, I was an awful sister."

  "And?"

  "The man came back to Scotland, and I gave him the pictures. You’re the only sister I’ll ever have and I truly feel terrible. Once the man left, Michael and I flew here to support you. I’m really sorry about all the horrible things I did to you. I never should have cut your hair on one side, and then lied to Mom and Dad about it."

  She’d been ten when her sister had done that. Amy didn’t have time to think about that now. Were the pictures to be used as a way to discredit Lucio, or the royal family? Her heart raced. "What man threatened you? How?"

  Evie reached for her hand, but Amy stepped away. "I don't know his name."

  None of this made sense. She stared at her sister. "How did he threaten you?"

  Evie's voice grew shaky. "He threatened to show Michael proof I cheated on him."

  "No." Amy couldn't imagine. Her sister seemed so excited to marry Michael and genuinely happy for years.

  Evie wrapped the shawl tight around her body and lowered her gaze. "It was only when we first met. After our fifth date, I realized I was falling hard for Michael and ended my other relationship. I can't have a stupid mistake ruin our future."

  That didn’t seem so bad, Amy thought. Many people kept their options open at the beginning of a relationship. Amy tilted her head. "That sounds innocent. Why don't you tell Michael yourself?"

  Evie shook her head furiously. "Because the relationship was with his little brother."

  "Oh, Evie." Amy understood immediately and couldn't imagine how to solve Evie's problem. Going after one royal, while keeping another on the line. Not so smart.

  Evie dropped her hands to her sides revealing her silk pajamas. "I'm sorry about the photos. Especially if they ruined anything."

  "Lucio and I are fine." Amy assured her as her mind put Evie with Michael's little brother. He wasn't even that hot and her pulse raced with revulsion at the thought.

  Her sister let out a huge sigh and gave her one of those famous, gorgeous smiles her parents always said could be like a model. "Good. I'm looking forward to your wedding."

  Evie had been blackmailed herself into leaking those pictures, so Amy would still invite her. Amy wondered if this was all part of a larger conspiracy, tied to the anarchists. If so, she needed to tell Lucio. It took precedence over her fast feelings. She'd not let anyone hurt his family using her or anything she did. She would find a way to stop it.

  She left her sister's room and closed the door behind her. Where would Lucio be?

  16

  Lucio stood near a long, thick wooden table his ancestors had all used in the war room for planning what happened in the country. Today he, his brothers, Antonio and Marco, and the lead general all discussed Amy's report. She’d put together a more thorough list and helped them narrow their scope significantly.

  General Babik put the faces of the six most likely anarchists in the country and one older gentleman—Amy’s contact. Turned out he was one of the men's father.

  Marco patted Lucio's shoulder. "Lucio, we're getting a picture here of who is behind this at the top. Your fiancée is clearly intelligent."

  Without her keen analysis, they'd be a week behind on this trail. Lucio, with pride, hit the print button for the older man's photo. "I'll ask her if Neill was the one she me
t in London."

  Antonio nodded, arms crossed at his chest as he stared at the center of the table where the electronic visuals were displayed. "Marco, will you ask Evie why Neill went to visit her?"

  Lucio wanted to protest that Evie couldn’t be involved but Sophia had lived in their castle practically for years and she’d led a smaller government overthrow to win back her own neighboring crown.

  If Evie had been approached, it meant the faction might have seen him in Scotland, and then again in London, where he was with Amy. Lucio met Antonio’s gaze from across the room and gave a slight nod. "I met with Evie in Scotland so that I could move forward with Amy. I don't think she is part of the anarchist plot, but Marco would have clearer insight."

  Marco moved the father's picture to the side and focused on the five 20-to-30-something males likely responsible for recent crimes. "Thanks. If Neill, the man who probably visited Amy, was the one who visited both sisters and took the report to his son, Edvard," Lucio tapped a photo of a man who had cold blue eyes and white skin that looked like he never saw the sun. "We have a clear chain of events. Edvard and his group were near the school, in the financial district and in the vicinity of the old guard house before they occurred."

  Again, Amy's words swarmed in his head that his family would be the next target and his father, mother, brothers, their wives and now Amy were all in danger. Ice raced up his spine. "I don't like that he's been so close to the castle today."

  Antonio's hands fell to his sides in fists. "We'll stop him before he gets to anyone."

  Kristin and Renee had both been targets in previous plots. Lucio's stomach knotted that someone might do the same to Amy too. She’d promised not to leave the castle, but then again during Sophia's failed rebellion, no one had been safe in these walls. Lucio kept his sentence short, but he couldn't lose Amy, not now, not ever. "An ally in the palace?"

  Marco shrugged and circled the table. "We purged the palace of all traitors after what happened with Sophia."