She straightened her simple gold chain in the mirror. "Come to think of it, I've not invited any of myfriends."
He offered her his arm to lead her out the door. She accepted. "Well, make out the invitations before dinner. Anyone you invite is welcome. I'll even send thejet."
Once again Lucio was kind beyond her imagination. Most of her friends did well but last minute tickets were rather pricy. They walked down the hall together, but her mind flashed to her best friend that she hadn’t yet seen. "Speaking of friends, I’d like to find Suzie after theinterviews."
He held her close. "As you requested, she has a full agenda, but she'll be atdinner."
"Perfect." Lucio must have set up a tour or something for her family and friend. She'd not seen her parents in a while either. "Thanks for looking out for her and myparents."
"I just want you to be happy." They walked toward a side room near a balcony on the first floor. "Are you ready for thisinterview?"
He reached for the door knob but she tugged back. "No. I should have worn my pearls. I touch them when I getflustered."
"I’ve noticed. Hold my hand instead." He opened the door for them to go into a room that had six video cameras all focused on the two chairs in the middle, across from an attractive dark-haired, olive-skinned female reporter. The center of the room was so bright, Amy wondered if her skin might melt. Lucio's hand kept her steady as they proceeded into the area. The reporter stood, curtsied toward Lucio and then offered her hand to shake Amy’s. "Your Highness. Ms. Fields.Welcome."
Lucio placed his hand on her back as he guided her to sit beside him. "Miss Amy Fields has agreed to be mywife."
The reporter’s eyes widened, but she sat in her chair and smiled for the camera. "So, the rumors are true. Congratulations. Can you tell us about the pictures the world saw of youtoday?"
Amy's knees locked, but she leaned forward. The queen told her to explain in the same way she’d shared with them. She took a deep breath, tried to smile for the camera, and said, "I took them myself." She glanced at Lucio and gathered her courage. "It's true that as a teenager, I was jealous of my sister's then boyfriend." She returned her attention to the reporter and prayed everyone believed her. "Photography is a hobby of mine, so Evie had me take photos of her and Lucio. The pictures on the news were my reactions to the romantic shots, dramatic as only a fourteen-year-old girl can be. I was too embarrassed to ever developthem."
The reporter nodded with empathy. "The photos do showjealousy."
Lucio's hand went to her knee. "I was a foolish teenager myself. Amy was right under my nose and I almost missed out on the woman who makes me happy because I wasn't thinking with my heart or my head. I'm happy Amy has forgivenme."
The reporter pivoted for a camera. "How could she not?" She then leaned forward like they were friends. "Miss Fields, how did the photos get released if you took them yourself? It seems strange that every news station around the world received the sameemail."
Now that was new information. Amy shifted, keeping her expression open. "I'd love to see the email address. My photo collection is mostly stored in my apartment in London...but these would have been at my parents’ home." If it was Evie’s email she’d get the proof. "I have my suspicions on who sentthem."
The reporter turned for the camera. "Care to sharewho?"
Amy closed her mouth, unsure of what tosay.
Lucio squeezed her knee. "We have the palace forensic team discovering who sent this email and there will berepercussions."
"So when is the big day?" The reporter’s pivots didn’t look at all phony, suggesting she must be good at herjob.
Lucio curled the corner of his lips into a sly smile that Amy saw on countless photos of him. "Soon. My mother is discussing the details with the local priest of our family's church. We will make an announcementsoon."
Lucio patted her leg and she understood they were standing. He placed his hand on her lower back to lead herout.
The reporter stood as well. "We'll all be looking forward to the big day, YourHighness."
He nodded and motioned for her to do the same. She followed directions and he led her out the same double doors they’d entered. The second the doors closed, a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. "That wasn't toobad."
Lucio kept the pace fast, but he met her gaze with approval. "You were good. Now let's get back upstairs so I can go through the suspectlist."
Right. The list. He could read what she found so far while she finished that list for him. She'd show him that she was good for him in all ways, evenprofessionally.
15
Lucio heldher hand the entire time they walked back to their room. Amy had so much to say. She admitted that years ago she’d had a major crush on him, but that had nothing to do with her feelings now. Lucio was again stealing her heart and she had no idea if he even wanted it as part of the package. She needed to talk tohim.
He opened their door. She steeled her nerves to launch into conversation, but Lucio let her go, took off his shoes, and walked into the closet, exchanging his shoes for his laptop. "I'm uploading the files so you can keep working. I have the police and the military checking all records of the ones you sent already. Tomorrow, I’ll show you my office downstairs near mybrothers."
"Glad we’re here." Fair enough. Work first. Talk second. They had all night so getting business out of the way was reasonable. She went to her laptop that was still on the vanity and nodded. She handed the papers to him as he sat at a small enclave to use as his desk. "On it." She took a seat opposite him and let her shoes drop to the floor under her chair. "I'll have the update within the hour. Also, read the report I wrote recently on your country. I think my work is being used in a different way than intended and if I'm right, your family may benext."
"My family?" His eyebrows arched from over hislaptop.
