Kristin tore her gaze off Antonio and stared at his mother. She truly was a master politician. "Yes, YourMajesty."
The doors closed behind her and they were alone. She wanted to run into his arms, but she wasn't that weak. She hugged her waist to still her wayward thoughts. "Antonio."
He came closer and traced her face. His touch ignited her cells and made her ache to be with him. "Kristin, areyouhurt?"
"I'm fine. Hold on." She tore herself away and marched toward her bag. She was about to do something possibly reckless, but she had to follow through. She took out the contract and dug for a pen. A moment later shesignedit.
Then she handed the papers to Antonio who asked, "What'sthis?"
"The contract," she reminded him. She then straightened her dress and ignored the small tear near her knee. Her pulse raced as she said, "I'll stillmarryyou."
He reached out for her hand again but she kept hers at her side. This was a no love agreement. She stared down and asked, "So, you forgive me for leaving you at thetable?"
He narrowed his gaze and his brow furrowed. "I think I should be the one asking you. I should have told you about the computerprogram."
It was not her style to let a computer give her an excel sheet of names and numbers of the men she might marry. She’d skipped Internet dating despite recommendations because she felt people lied in their profiles. But since she was part of his scheme, she wanted the numbers. "How many people did it findforyou?"
He crossed his arms. "After going through billions, you were the finalchoice."
The only name was hers. Whoever he hired was both her fairy godmother and the devil himself, but if she chose to stay, then in time she'd figure out a way to win his heart too. Love had to exist, somehow. Right now she was still too angry to think clearly, so she pushed the contract into his hand and hoped this ended the conversation. "Well, here is the contract. We should be good, and I'll conduct myself properly fromnowon."
He reached out for her, but she avoided his touch. "Kristin..."
If he touched her then she might let go of her anger and that had kept her alive so far. She needed the protection of her shield and he might take it away by being kind. "Let's go tell the press. I'm thrilled to be yourbride."
"Kristin, I'msorry."
Tears swelled in her eyes and she turned toward him. He pierced through her armor and she felt the waterworks growing that would run her makeup. She sniffled to stop it. "Don't. Let'sjustgo."
He came forward and brushed a wayward piece of hair out of her eyes. "There was only you for me. I can't imagine marryinganyoneelse."
She hugged him and sniffed against his shoulder. His mother had wanted her to be strong, but now she'd be a hot mess. "Stop. I'll ruin my makeup and your mother wants me lookingtough."
He massaged her back which helped calm her as he kissed her forehead. "After? Can we talk, just youandme?"
"Sure." What else could she say? She was tired. She knew he wasn't in love with her. She’d agreed to his terms of the contract. Now to navigate through her own heart to figure out how to live with this decision, because the truth was she wanted him. She wanted to be here and she wanted to be in his arms. And most of all she wanted to believe that lovewasreal.
Chapter13
Antonio feltice still in his veins despite Kristin being saved from Korba’sclutches.
Babik had told him that Henri and four other guards were in the communist bloc. One had joined earlier that day when Antonio brought Kristin home because he was scared his country might join Slovenia or Italy, as they were nestled between the two countries. The fears were irrational and based on history where their kingdom didn't maintain self-control.
Henri hadn’t needed to threaten Kristin, and he empathized with the eighteen-year-old boy who just joined the guard to make money for his family and got misled by Korba. The courts would decide what was best for him, but he’d mention it in his writtentestimony.
He had to reassure the people, but in front of the camera he couldn't say much. He’d always hated the camera which was why he normally pasted a fake, somewhat arrogant, smile on his face during interviews. Henodded.
Kristin answered questions with a genuine smile. She wrapped her arm around his and said, "I'm delighted to marry Prince AntonioAussa."
One reporter asked her, "What brought the two of youtogether?"
She nudged him. He met her gaze and then loosened his tight muscles in his shoulders as he tugged her closer for a side-hug. Her mussed hair was falling out of her up-do and her red dress was torn at the knee. "She applied to be my secretary. I saw more in her and it wasn't just her fightingskills."
She laughed and beamed into the camera. "I don't remember boxing anyone during my job interview." She turned and stared at him again. "I was too busy gawking, unable to believe that I was in the roomwithyou."
He hugged her and wished the camera wasn't there. He'd kiss her and find a way to fix his mistake. "Her honesty and drive are part of why she is my perfect bride." He turned back to the reporter. This time he had a message and his shoulders tightened. "Now, I also hope anyone else who wishes for a coup pays attention. I will not allow one more person in this palace who threatens my family. The only way the Aussa reign will end is if in the election, the people choose a communist regime. Focus on winning the votes and leave my bridealone."
Kristin blinked up at him. "Whatvote?"
