A huge smile grew on her face. Everything was going to be great. Lucio and she were together and her bones would heal. He wheeled her up the newly installed ramp over the stairs and headed toward his mother and brother though his mother was on her phone, a few steps away. Amy reached behind her to brush his arm. "Lucio, your brother, Antonio, looksserious."
He stopped them when they reached his family. "What's goingon?"
Antonio crossed his arms. "We have news about Sophia andSuzie."
"You do?" Amy worried when she noticed how dark Lucio's expression became. Antonio nodded. "Suzie is her half-sister. Her father asked his younger daughter to help secure the release ofSophia."
"Now that's a motive for interfering," Luciosaid.
Amy shook her head. "But I couldn't have been used to get her sisterback."
"Why not?" Lucio explained, "You'd have been traded for her release and Suzie understoodthat."
Traded? She sucked in her breath. Seriously, she'd never thought about that. Suzie hadn't mentioned it in the car either, but maybe that was the plan. "Where is Suzienow?"
"She's being extradited here, to Avce," Antonio said. "She'll join her sister in waiting for a fairtrial."
Lucio's face seemed so stiff and serious. She patted his hand and positioned her chair to see him easier. "So no more anarchist uprising in your country—that’s good,right?"
Lucio's gaze met hers and his strong shoulders seemed to carry the world. "Ourcountry, Amy. And you are correct, there is no one else with plans to use our country’s over-throw to get their own kingdom back. So let's get youupstairs."
His mother walked over to join them as she'd been standing to the side, on the phone. Amy lowered her head. "Your Highness, I'm sorry I cannot bow at themoment."
The queen huffed. "Bowing isn't necessary. We're to be family and, Amy, we discussed you calling meAnna."
"Fair enough, Anna." Amy smiled at all of the Aussa family. "When Suzie is brought to Avce, I'd like to seeher."
Lucio stared at her with a blank expression. "Why?"
She needed to stand up for herself, even if that meant from a sitting position in her wheelchair "She told me not to marry you. I want her to see me holding your hand. I don't appreciate being kidnapped and I want to know why she thought to useme."
"That is perfectly reasonable, son." Anna stared at Luciotoo.
His chin lowered. "As long as you stay next tome."
"Always, though I'll be happy when I can walk again. This whole pushing me around thing will get tedious, fast." She didn’t want to be aburden.
"Let's get you inside." Lucio placed his hands on the back of herseat.
Anna stepped in front of them and pointed. Lucio turned her around and they all saw the black town car that came through the gates. "No, wait. It seems Marco is returning right now from Italy. There is his car. He might have Suzie withhim."
Lucio leaned closer to her ear. "Are you ready for this, Amy? You don’t have to doit."
"Absolutely. Hold my hand." She held out her free hand for him to come and stand besideher.
He took it and they waited on the step. Marco came out then pulled Suzie from the rear passenger seat, handcuffed. Suzie struggled, then stopped when she saw Amy. "Amy, please tell this man I never hurt you physically and that I didn't throw you out of thecar."
Two soldiers went to joinMarco.
In a second, they'd begone.
Amy spoke in a loud, empowering voice. "No, you didn't let me out of the car so I had to jump to my freedom. I'll be testifying at your trial everything yousaid."
The soldiers took custody of her, but Suzie pulled against their grasp and stared at her. "Remember, I also said you were myfriend."
A laugh formed in her throat. This was a joke. It had to be. She swallowed the sound. "Friends don't try to stop weddings or ruin each other's chance at happiness by kidnappingthem."
Suzie had tears in her eyes as she was dragged away. "You're right. I'msorry."
