Page 33 of The Wanted Prince

“What?”

I tried to breathe and found that I couldn’t. But I had to say something while I still could. “I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done. I don’t think I’d have made it this far without you, not just on this trip, but your friendship, your—” I realized I was babbling and cut myself off. “I want you to know I’ve done things I regret. And I don’t ever want you to be one of those regrets.”

Laura’s jaw dropped. She recoiled like I’d slapped her. “Me? You mean, us? The night of the ball?”

“No! No, not that. God, no. I’m sorry.” I could’ve smacked myself. Open mouth, insert foot. “What I meant was, I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve made selfish choices. You’ve seen where they’ve led. You’ll see, with Maria, one of my worst. I want to tell you I’ve changed, but what I’m finding out?—”

A door swung open down the hall. Laura let out a tiny gasp. I hissed in frustration. A woman in a dark suit stepped into the hall.

“Your Royal Highness? If you’ll come this way.”

I glanced at Laura, but she’d turned away. We walked down that hall, no sound like our footfalls, and I felt like I was marching to my own execution. But it wasn’t the guillotine framed in the window, or the headsman who turned to greet us. It was Maria, and my heart dropped to my boots. Looking into her eyes was looking into my past. Into my worst, my most unworthy impulses.

“Alessandro,” she said.

I found my voice. “Maria.”

“And Laura Cardona, if I’m not mistaken.” She smiled at Laura. “I’d say this is a surprise, but I did my homework. How did he drag you into this?”

Laura started to answer, but Maria kept talking.

“Sit down, sit down. Can I get you some coffee?” She clapped her hands. “Let’s have some coffee.”

Her assistant glided off, perhaps to get coffee, but I got the sense she’d be gone a while. The instant the door closed, Maria’s smile vanished. She fixed her stony gaze on me.

“So, how can I help you?”

I’d hoped to make my apologies before I launched in, but the set of her jaw told me she didn’t want them. Her anger was palpable, a chill in the air. My skin prickled with it, all down my neck.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if you’ve seen the news.”

She waved her hand, impatient. Get to the point.

“I didn’t steal the royal amulet, and I think you know that. I’ve come here to ask you if you know who did.”

Maria just stared at me. Somewhere, a clock ticked. I could hear Laura breathing, fast and anxious. I wanted to reach for her, but I couldn’t move. None of us did till Maria exhaled, and we both exhaled with her, a trio of sighs.

“You came here to ask…” She stood up abruptly. “Is this some kind of joke?”

I stood up as well. “Somebody’s framing me, so I’m?—”

“So you think it was me?” Maria laughed, loud and discordant. “You came to accuse me of common theft?” She turned away from me, stiff-backed, still laughing. “And I thought you’d come to ask for my help. Thought you’d finally remembered we used to be friends.”

I winced at that. Laura made a surprised sound.

“Maybe it was only ever one-sided.” Maria’s tone hardened. “You disappeared fast enough when our engagement dissolved.”

I felt my ears redden, flushing with heat. Laura shifted in her seat, and I risked a glance down. She looked as uncomfortable as I felt, gaze fixed on the table, not either of us.

“I’ll answer your question,” Maria said. “But before I do that, I have one for you.”

Blood rushed to my head. I sat back down. Maria didn’t look at me. She went to the window. “Why?” she said.

I felt dizzy. “Why what?”

Maria didn’t answer. She opened the window. A puff of fresh air breezed in, smelling of summer. Traffic sounds rose up from far below.

“If you mean why didn’t I marry you, you know I couldn’t. When your father got arrested?—”

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