Page 21 of Forbidden Prince
The guards spoke on walkie-talkies and his father was the first person they moved while he went forVictor.
Marco's skin felt on fire with pins and needles as he thought about what might happen, but he knew his racing heart wasn't a help to anyone. So he channeled all his years of training and zeroed in on what he knew about dismantlingbombs.
The second he opened the office doors, near the prison, guards chatter caught his attention. "What's goingon?"
"Victor Amadeus is heading toward your mother, brother and the gatheredguests."
Great. He was heading for areckoning.
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Renee wentthrough the rack of wedding dresses while the queen spoke softly to Kristin. She made a selection she thought Kristin might like and another that was more herstyle.
It didn't hurt to try on a few dresses, she encouraged herself. Why not? It was all part of the fantasy. Even if Marco thought her new ideas were all rubbish and she headed back home, alone, well, then she'd know the style she'd want for her own wedding with someone at her parents’ countryclub.
The Monique Lhuillier frock was the perfect mix of modern and lace and she added that to her own pile. Kristin was more classical and would prefer Lela Rose'sdesigns.
Kristin said, "Renee, Greg, I have to go change but let me know if anythinghappens."
Renee motioned to the rack she’d chosen for her, and said, "Starthere."
"You're awesome," Kristinannounced.
"Can I watch the fashion show for the upcoming royal wedding while we wait to hear about my mom?" Greg’s voice sounded higher thannormal.
Friends, as he’d said back in Miami. Now that she looked at Greg, she compared him to Marco. Marco's dark eyes and strong touch was like a magnetic force that pulled her toward him. Greg's blond hair was cute, but he seemed more Peter Pan than the tall, dark and handsome sexy prince that Marcowas.
"Sure." Renee patted Greg's shoulder and walked him toward the seats. "Why don't you sit with thedesigners?"
Kristin nodded and stood near the pile, blocking the view of the dresses from others. "Renee, the mermaid dress was the firststyle?"
"Yes. I put them in order," Renee called out while she made her way from the chairs back to the center tohelp.
Antonio, Kristin's fiancé, who loitered with guards near the door, left the room like he was about to fight someone. Once he was gone, Kristin picked up the first dress and said, "Good. Helpme?"
"Delighted." Renee walked to the fitting room to help pull and zip. The shimmery white, satin and lace number made Kristin look like a true princess. But her friend's scowl told her that this was a no even before Kristin came out of the room and said, "No,thanks."
Antonio returned with his fists clenched and Kristin ducked into the makeshift changing room, a large closet with a mirror and bright light, so he'd not see her—bad luck. Antonio spoke withGreg.
Kristin waited for Renee, who immediately started unlacing the back of the gown. She stopped when Greg yelped from the nextroom.
"Me?" His voice cracked. "Mom, you werekidnapped!"
Kristin went out, not caring who sawher.
Renee hung the dresses properly andfollowed.
A moment later, she saw Greg lift his shirt and show parts of a bomb taped to his chest. Her heart raced while he said, "I can't, Mom. There is a bomb strapped to my body that's set to explode. I'm sorry. I loveyou."
Whoever was after Marco's family intended to kill themall!
Marco's brother Antonio hung up his phone and stepped in front of his mother while he told her, "Go. GetBabik."
Renee inched to the door. Marco was a trained spy. He'd know what todo.
"I have to get your father." The queen ran out of theroom.
"It's strapped to my chest," Greg said in tones full of misery. "Sophia and Victor Amadeus threatened to kill my mom. They had pictures of her tied up. Sophia said she was going to let herself get caught so Victor couldwin."
