He hung up the second she joined him and she knew from the darkness that seemed to hold onto his shoulders, that something horrible must have been happened. Her heart raced and she prayed it wasn't his family. "What'shappening?"
"Nothing yet. We have time, but barely." He opened the bedroom door behind her. He went in and headed straight to the closet. "We have to go to the castle. Someone has planted explosives in the old guard house which is being refurbished for a touristcenter."
Goosebumps dotted her skin. Her report had also discussed the lack of tourist industry as a country weakness. She followed him further into the closet. "Is it safethere?"
He threw on a pair of pants, and she caught a glimpse of his blue boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. "Marco has diffused everything, but I want to helpinvestigate."
Right. Now wasn't the time to dawdle or stare at his perfectly shaped behind. She turned and hoped he didn't see the blush on her cheeks. "Okay, give me five minutes to getready."
He walked past her and brushed against her shoulder. "I'm having Nino pack us breakfast for the carride."
"Sounds good. Five minutes." She raced toward the bathroom. Hair, teeth,jewelry.
He called from the door, "Whatever you forget, we have at myparents."
They probably had enough of everything she'd not have to pack at all, but she said, "Hand me my suitcase, so I can get a fresh outfit for theride."
"Here." He opened the door with her bag in hand. She pointed toward the vanity bench and he placed it there for her. She reached for her toothbrush as he said, "I'll be back in a fewminutes."
He closed the door and left. She chose gray slacks and a blue silk blouse, with soft gray leather shoes. This was one of her nicer work outfits, designed to woo clients. Combing her blonde hair into a twist, she fished her pearls from the dish and wasdone.
Lucio wasn't in the wing. He must be terribly worried. She carried her bag to the door where Nino waited to take it from her. He led her down the stairs and toward thelimo.
Lucio hung up his phone when she joined him. Nino directed her into the limo and Lucio scooted beside her. He closed the glass so they had more privacy and waited for the limo to begin their drive toward his parents. She turned and lifted one of her legs onto the seat so they were face to face. "Lucio, is your brother okay? How does he know how to diffuse a bomb? I thought you were all princes, which doesn’t equal bomb tactics—and when did you begin renovations on growing your touristindustry?"
"I should warn you that your parents arethere."
"Iremember."
"I’m not going to pressureyou."
"I wasn’t worried." Not on her list of questions. She scooted closer and lowered her voice, "I just want to be helpful to you and yourfamily."
He nodded. "My brother, Marco, is the country's expert on bombs. I told you already I specialized more in people and understanding dangerous persons who might come to my country." Her gray flat fell off her foot. He picked it up, but instead of slipping it back on, he massaged her heel. "Don't worry about any of that. Expect my mother will put you to work finding a dress and picking adate."
Their upcoming nuptials still faded into some dream-filled teen girl fantasy she'd ignored for years and didn't at all feel like was happening now. If they were to get married, she had to trust him and find a way to let her heart believe in the future. "Lucio, did you sleep well next tome?"
"I liked it." He slipped her shoe back on, but his hands traced the lower part of herleg.
Her lips tingled for a kiss, and she sat up to lean toward him. "I didn't hear the phone or anything but I knew you weren't there anymore." She tapped herheart.
He reached for a cooler between them and opened it. "I tried not to wake you when my brother called. Granola withmilk?"
The opposite of a kiss. Disgruntled, she accepted the small cup and spoon. "Thanks. This isgreat."
She ate and admitted to herself the food made her stomach feel less empty. Once she was done, she looked around to put her trash away, but he took it from her and deposited it in a second container. He turned toward her. "Amy, I want to marry you as soon as possible and do far more than sleep next toyou."
Yes. Perhaps if she agreed, she'd forget her doubts, but right now her mind flashed on her sister, holding Lucio. "I just needtime."
"I know. It's why I'm waiting." He looked out the window. She placed her hand on his and closed her eyes. Lucio was everything she'd dreamed about as a girl and so much more now. She needed to give this a real chance. She kept her lips sealed but hoped tonight she had the courage to go through with making love to him, and not just fantasize about the ghosts of theirpast.
10
Amy watchedthe crowds of people wave as their limo passed through the city center. Despite the tinted windows, she instinctively waved back. Lucio chuckled at her, but said nothing to discourageher.
They turned into the castle gate and her fiancé became more somber. She stilled at the thought. He was going to be hers, forever. She placed her hand over his and stared at his profile until the limo driver stopped at the frontgate.
The white steps that led up to a lived-in castle with blue towers struck her. She’d lived in England all her life but it wasn’t like the queen had ever invited her inside for tea. Lucio waited until a servant opened his door and then said, "I'll see you to our room and then I must go find my parents andbrothers."
