"We were going to shop for one when we found out you'd been taken hostage." Kristin had so many questions for Renee. Sleeping with Marco was so unlike her. She was usually so responsible and never did anything outside of thelines.
Renee then stared at her with renewed interest. "And you were gone most of the day. Longer than just lunch in thevillage."
Kristin felt her cheeks heat and this time she checked the dresses to avoid Renee’s curiosity. "Antonio and I came to anunderstanding."
Renee took her hand and started to laugh. "You mean he took you to bed. Was he amazing, like hisbrother?"
A giggle escaped her lips and she squealed a little. It was nice to share secrets with her friend. "So I said yes and now I'm to tell the queen what dress I willchoose."
"Tell the queen? Are you sure you are up to livingthislife?"
The palace attack was unlikely to happen again, and security would be tightened. She’d witnessed the army and guards first-hand. It had thrilled her to see that Antonio had the respect of thegeneral.
"In Miami, the police are everywhere—we don’t even think about it. I expect I'll be fine, probably because they are around. The guards were already drawing up plans to rescue everyone when we came into thepalace."
Renee hugged her. "You are braver than anyone else I know, Kristin. I don't often say that but you might need strength tonight, at dinner. I’ll be there, but you’re on a whole other level. Oh, and wear the red one. We both know that color looks greatonyou."
"Renee, I'm glad you came," Kristin said as someone knocked on the door. “Even if you did gettiedup.”
Renee answered, "Metoo."
Women came in with hair supplies and makeup boxes. They set up in chairs near the huge mirror on the wall. Kristin would dress fabulous and look the part of future princess. She was worthy of Antonio and tonight they’d tell the world that they wereengaged.
Chapter11
The red fabrichugged Kristin's waist. The silk felt smooth and showed her breasts in the sleeveless floor length dress but everything clung in all the right places while still giving her a sense of modesty. A knock sounded on the chamber door. She checked herself in the mirror one more time. Would Antoniolikeit?
Was it Antonio? It was time for him to arrive. Surely he’d walk right in. Minutes passed and she had no idea what to do. She stared at the door and wondered if a servant might escort her to dinner like they had for Renee, tenminutesago.
Suddenly another knock sounded. For some reason Antonio hadn't kept his word to come and get her. She opened the door. A dark-haired man in a blue and gold uniform stood close to her. "The prince has asked that you come this way, Ms.Wells."
All the servants she'd seen in the quarter so far were women. Her skin prickled as she slipped outside and closed the door behind her. No guard waited in the hall, as instructed by Antonio earlier. "I've not seen youbefore."
"I work in service of her highness, Queen AnnaCamilla."
The man walked beside her a few steps. Kristin remembered how the maid had insisted she be in front of her and Renee earlier, as if that was properprotocol.
Her stomach churned, indicating that something was wrong. She slowed her step and asked, "What'syourname?"
"Korba, Ms. Wells." He directed her farther downthehall.
Her ears burned as she jumped toward the next door in the hall. "I almost forgot. Renee has my earrings. I'm going to slip into my friend's room. Please waitouthere."
She went in, then locked the door before he could say a word. Her heart raced. Antonio and his mother were looking for a Korba. She raced to the balcony and then her room. Antonio said he'd be here. She locked the balcony door and herfrontdoor.
Antonio said he'd come. She hugged her waist and massaged the goosebumps off her arms. She called out to the green and white walls, "Whereareyou?"
She went to her pocketbook and found her cell phone. Of course service was unavailable within the palace. She dropped it back in her bag, but then immediately grabbed it again. Perhaps she hadWi-Fi.
She quickly pulled up the email used for her appointment with Antonio and sent him a message. Next, she sent one to Renee. She paced the room, hoping they’d check their messages before the dinner. Would Korba try tobreakin?
Within moments, she heard footsteps and guards walk in loud formation outside in the hall. They stopped in front of her chamber. The key turned the lock and she stood, stiff andunsure.
She saw the black leather of a shoe and immediately knew who it was. She rushed over and threw herself in Antonio’s arms despite the gold-encrusted Prince suit that reminded her a bit of an animated prince from the movies. "Antonio!"
He hugged her, then kissed her fast. She felt protected in his arms. "I got your message. Are you okay? There’s nobody out inthehall."
Her heart still raced, but she closed her eyes and remembered how close she'd been to following the man behind the hostage attacks to who knows where. She rocked on her feet. "Korba came to get me. I lockedmyselfin."
