Neither had he. He thought Victor and Sophia were just hangers-on-socialites who never went home. Until recently Sophia had only ever tried to kiss him, and scare off other women. He shook his head and thought of Kristin. "He and Sophia cooked up this scheme. The vote and my wedding made them desperate, but I have no idea why Lucio suspected them forayear."
"I'm glad you found Kristin," Marco said. “And Lucio suspects everyone and trustsnoone.”
“True.” Kristin’s smile made him ache to be with her. "I should go findKristinnow."
The march of the guards echoed in the hall. Antonio stood and saw General Babik, who seriously needed a medal of honor. "Babik! Arrest this man." He gestured atVictor.
Babik answered, "Yes,Sire."
Marco spoke to Greg, who paled as Antonioapproached.
“I-”
“I get it, you didn’t do it.” Antonio understood Greg wasn't in league with Victor and Sophia, and he’d been used against his will. He nodded at him. "Let's go find the others. They must beterrified."
Greg asked, "Is there a phone so I can talk to my mom again? She’s probably sick, thinking I’d diedalready."
"Sure." Antonio dialed Lucio while Marco walked beside them through the halls. Antonio quickly told Lucio to get Greg's mom back on the line. Once she was on the phone, he guided Greg into the library and handed him the phone. "Talk as long as you want. We'll come back here andmeetyou."
"I owe you an apology, Antonio," Marco told him once they closed the library door and walked outside to meet theirparents.
"Yeah?" Antonio's eyebrows arched as the doors opened for the two of them and cheers echoed from the villagers who gathered atthegate.
The jubilant cries were better than New Year’scelebrations.
Antonio searched the clustered group for Kristin, and found her in a white wedding gown that had his pulse hammering—her curves, her long curls tumbling over her shoulder, her skin as delicate and pale as thesatin.
She stood next to his fierce mother and frail father, who dozed in a wheel chair with a blanket over his lap, but at least he was alive. Marco slapped his shoulder and said, "Perhaps your computer search wasn't allwrong."
Antonio broke the spell of Kristin for one second and saw his brother stare at her friend. "You and Reneeare...cozy."
Marco’s throat turned red. "She's sweet and determined to head home. I'm going to try and see her after yourwedding."
Antonio wrapped his arms around Kristin and the rest of the world stopped mattering. He kissed her forehead and let her rose smell wash through him. "Kristin."
She hugged him tight. "Thank God." She unwrapped one arm and placed her hand on his face as if she checked for bruises. "I was soworried."
"We're safe." He met his mother's insistent gaze. He followed her look and tapped Kristin'sshoulder.
She turned around and her mouth opened. Marco and Renee were locked in an embrace. She said, "They'rekissing."
"Who cares?" He fixed her hair out of her eyes. Then he leaned forward and claimed exactly what hewanted.
Kristin's kiss was wortheverything.
His entire body grew hard though they were outside and a crowd cheered. He ended the kiss, but kept her tucked under hisshoulder.
His father's raspy voice was solemn and everyone went quiet as he spoke, now awake and alert. "Son, whathappened?"
"Marco disarmed the bomb strapped to an innocent man’s chest. Victor was in league with Sophia—they are both in custody. How are you, Father?" He knew the cameras watching were on his father and mother, so he took his place as the dutiful sonbesidethem.
His mother announced, "King Leopoldo will make a fullrecovery."
"That's good to hear," Marco added frombehindhim.
His father held his head high and stared at Kristin. "I will be standing at yourwedding,son."
His mother spoke to the reporters like the pro she was. "And be there for when the votes aretallied."
