Babik's gaze softened as he looked at her for a moment. Did he resent that she, an American, would marry the prince? "Korba's sister who works in the laundry might be the link. I will letyouknow."
She swallowed. "Babik, be careful. I feel like someone is watching merightnow."
He looked around then nodded. "Of course, myprincess."
"Not yet." Kristin felt a coldness inch up her spine. Until the danger was over, she had no idea what to do. Settling insurance claims hadn’t prepared herforthis.
Antonio led her out of the military barracks and back into the main palace. They walked down a hallway with gilded frames and she started to feel better. Surely nobody would be out to get her in front of a bunch of cameras. Warmth returned to her face. "So, we're off todinner?"
"In a second." Hestoppedher.
She felt the cold metallic phone in her hand and asked though she knew the answer, "What'sthis?"
"It's not the ring I promised. I've not had time to go andgetone."
"Understandable!" She smiled at him. “There wasnoneed.”
In her room, she'd felt his body near hers and her hands had grazed his suit. She had no memory of touching a phone. He'd been all muscles and soft wool. "So where did yougetthis?"
He crossed his arms. "I took this when you spoke to Babik, on our way out of the barracks." He took it back and then programed the phone. "I'll upgrade the phone tomorrow, but I'm the first number on speed dial. I'd have come to you faster if you called, but you were smart toemailme."
She took the phone back and held it to her chest. "Sounds perfect. This was the first time in my life without a working number." Then she shook out her red dress and headed into the hallway. She offered her arm and asked, "Dinner?"
"Let's." He took her arm. They walked together and saw the moonlight through the huge windows and then they heard the chatter of people outside on apatio.
Antonio brought her into a dining hall that could easily sit fifty people at the long table, though for this occasion it was six white and gold settings near the door with Queen Anna Camilla at the head. Marco and Renee sat on the left next to a beautiful blonde with her hair designed in an up-do that would take hours. The blonde must be Sophia, who sat next to thequeen.
The other side was untouched and must be for her andAntonio.
Antonio let her hand go and hugged hismother.
Renee looked at her with concern. "Marco insisted I stay here when I saw your message, he said that you were safe withAntonio."
"We're okay." Kristin used the top edge of the seat near her to hold on and stay steady. She wasn't sure why but the room felt icy inheretoo.
The queen then said, "You're courageous." She lifted her chin and stared right at her. "It must be one of the things my son finds attractive in you. You look good in red, it complements yourpaleskin."
Kristin was probably overreacting. She glanced around the room, but saw no danger. The queen was polite and courteous. She bowed her head and let go of the chair. "Thanks. I went through a lot of the dresses you sent to find something I liked that still maintained amodestcut."
The queen then shrugged and shook out the flawless green chiffon skirt of her gown. Once she was done, she said, "It's teasing the public, but we must announce your wedding to the cameras outside on the patio first. I’ve planned the ceremony for three days from now. Son, where is yourgrandmother'sring?"
Three days was fast. Antonio blushed and seemed taken aback. "I don'thaveit."
"I have it, Your Highness." The other woman in the room said and took it off herfinger.
Kristin held her breath and stared at Sophia. She had blonde ringlets in her hair, and cool blue eyes. The small woman must be a foot shorter than her, but she handed the ring to Antonio as he said, "Sophia?"
Something inside Kristin gnawedather.
"Antonio,” Sophia said. “I'm happy the computer led you to someone who has made you sohappy."
"Computer?" Kristin askedoutloud.
Sophia tried to give her the ring. "The world-wide search for a bride he conducted." Kristin refused to take it and Sophia placed the ring in Antonio's palm. "Through IT? Your mother handed me the ring to try on months ago and I forgot about it until tonight. I tried to see you earlier, Antonio, to give it back, but, well, we were taken hostage. I am thrilledforyou."
Antonio found her from her job application, not the equivalent of royal match.com. She tapped her fingers on her arm and demanded his gaze. "What world-wide search, run by IT? Was it my application that brought you to Miami orsomethingelse?"
Antonio's cheeks turned slightly red and he looked down to avoid her gaze. "The application was further screening." Her heart skipped a beat, but he looked at her with those flecks of green that made his brown eyes seem brilliant. "I had a month to find a bride and it seemed the fastest way to shiftthroughdata."
