Kristin and Renee had both been targets in previous plots. Lucio's stomach knotted that someone might do the same to Amy too. She’d promised not to leave the castle, but then again during Sophia's failed rebellion, no one had been safe in these walls. Lucio kept his sentence short, but he couldn't lose Amy, not now, not ever. "An ally in thepalace?"
Marco shrugged and circled the table. "We purged the palace of all traitors after what happened withSophia."
Lucio recalled various FBI scenarios where the crime was committed by someone you trusted. Nobody could ever truly be trusted. "Blackmail gets to anyone, even good people. Remember Renee’s maid Anise who helped her brother, thoughreluctant."
Antonio gestured to the pictures of the men. "Babik is handling security at all doors. We'll tell our parents to stay out of sight and keep Babik close while we gather the rest of theevidence."
Marco glanced at the door. "We shouldgo."
Lucio scowled, knowing he wasn't the only one worried though Antonio never said—as elder brother he had to consider all actions while he and Marco could move. Lucio turned to leave the meeting now that they’d narrowed in on the six suspects. The best thing he could do was keep Amy at his side. "You're right. I promised Amy we'd have the night alone, before Mother takes her for wedding details all daytomorrow."
Antonio chuckled as the three of them walked into the hallway. "Mother did that to all of us. Good luck and I hope your Amy stays sane. She seemsnice."
Nice was too tame a word for Amy. She was better than simply nice, but he couldn't quite figure out the word he'd use to describe her. "She's better than I imagined. Please thank your IT department,Antonio."
"I'll offer an extra bonus for all the good work." Antonio gently slapped him on hisback.
The three of them walked up to the family suite of rooms, but Kristin and Renee's laughter echoed in the hall. Both men stopped and Lucio shrugged, "Sounds like your wife is in the library withMarco's."
"Later, Lucio." Marco opened thedoor.
Lucio continued down the hall though he heard his family's laughter in the distance. Despite all the drama, it was good that everyone could still laugh, especially now that Kristin and Renee joined their ranks. Amy’s under her breath witty comments would only add more joy in his own life. Once he found Amy, he'd settle in and relax for the evening, knowing security had everything under control. He opened their bedroom door and walked in. However, their suite had no lights on. "Amy? Where areyou?"
Silence greeted his ears and apprehension chilled him. He sensed that she wasn't here, but he checked the balcony, bathroom and closet to be sure. Every second he spent searching his rooms, his pulse began to race, but she wasnowhere.
He returned to the main hall and heard the laughter. He sucked in his breath, popped his head into the library but saw no sign of Amy. His sisters-in-law had his mother holding her stomach while she laughed. He asked, "Sorry to bother—have you seenAmy?"
"No," Kristin answered. "Is shemissing?"
Until he knew for sure, he'd not alarm his family. She might have spent more time with her sister though the tingling in his spine warned it was more. He avoided a direct answer to his sister-in-law. "I'm going to seeEvie."
His brothers both looked concerned, but neither said anything—they’d let him deal with the situation yet they’d also be ready to act. He closed the door and walked faster than he normally did down the flight to the guestsuites.
If Amy had kicked her sister out of the castle because of those pictures, security would have helped her. Even if to him what she did wasn’t a big deal, though Amy obviously had angst in half of the poses, none of it should matter. He stifled the urge to call Babik. Logic dictated he check with her family. He knocked and her sister answered the door. She blinked and stared at him. "Lucio. I'm surprised to see youhere."
"Is Amy here?" He gazed over her head into the yellow bedroom reserved for special guests. Her parents were with her and her fiancé. They all seemed happy and at ease together. Lucio glanced at Michael, who had dirty blond hair and was about six inches shorter, but Evie smiled at him as if he were aking.
Evie brought her gaze back to Lucio and opened the door wider. "She left to find you a whilego."
Again, his spine pricked and he felt something was wrong. His shoulders went rigid. "She's not in ourroom."
"I'll help you look." Evie took a step into the hall dressed in a simple peasant skirt and ashawl.
"No." Lucio answered fast. If something happened to Amy, he'd find her and not put her family in danger. Instead he deflected, "You and Michael stay put in case she comes back. I'm getting the guards and the security tape. She's aroundsomewhere."
Evie shrugged but stayed still, which was different than when he knew her years ago. The Evie he remembered exploded at the slightest provocation. "Okay. Let me and my parents know she's all right when you findher."
The last thing he needed was civilians in the way if he had to use his FBI training to rescue her. Again, his pulse raced but it also had a chill. Instincts shouldn't be ignored. He bowed politely. "I will,Evie."
He turned to go to his office, but he stopped at the next bedroom. Her American friend—Suzie. Amy had said she'd not seen her since her arrival at the palace. Perhaps she’d stopped to visit after he sent her on the tour? While he hadn’t met her, Babik had said she was settled in her room. He knocked and a moment later, a brown-haired woman in flannel pajama pants and long t-shirt came to the door. She looked nothing like the smiling woman at the bar in the picture Amy had shown him. "Just checking in with you. Did Amy come inhere?"
She stared at him as if assessing him. "So, you're Lucio, Amy'sprince?"
"Yes. Is she here?" He peered through the opening of thedoor.
Suzie's face went white. "No. I've not seen her since I arrived. Is shemissing?"
He brushed her cold hands to offer assurance. "Don't worry about it. I'll findher."
