Page 90 of The Reluctant Wife

"It’s a security timebomb, is what it is," Tyler grumbles, his gaze fixed on his phone. His thick fingers fly across the screen.

"It’s what the princess wants," I point out.

Aura wanted to leverage the PR generated from the wedding to bring in tourists, and it’s working. Arrivals to the country have gone up. Restaurants and shops have reported an uptick in sales. The capital has hired hundreds of additional tour guides,leading to a rise in employment. And thanks to Arthur, the board of The Davenport group signed off on the investment proposal for Verenza. Her country’s economic outlook has improved, and I know that makes her happy. Which makes me happy.

Tyler sends me a strange look. He’s thinking I’m pussy-whipped. Hell,Ithink I’m pussy-whipped. But she ismyEmpress.Mine.And I’ll do anything for her.

"Hmm." Quentin drags his thumb under his lip. "Most of the invitees are VVIPs—European and British royalty, and A-list celebrities. And then, there’s the press."

"Two hundred of them will be in the press enclosure on the wedding day. Not to mention, the hundreds of onlookers in attendance around the cathedral."

“It’ll be a miracle if we pull this off without a major incident.” Brody rotates his neck.

I’m going to make sure nothing unexpected happens. Nothing that will spoil the wedding for my woman. It’s bad enough she’s going through this to ensure the future of her country is safe. I’m going to ensure she doesn’t suffer the ignominy of a security glitch, as well. "A miracle is precisely what we’re going to make happen." I look around their faces. "After all, we have the best security minds on this."

Quentin squares his shoulders. "You have my word. Given you won’t be able to oversee the details that day, I’ll do so personally. I’ll do my best to ensure the event unfolds without a glitch."

"I’ve reached out to some more acquaintances I trust. They’ll be here with their teams by tomorrow morning. That’s another two hundred of the best security personnel on the continent." Karina continues to message on her phone as she speaks.

"And another two hundred former Marines, who’ve gone into private security since." Tyler looks up from his device. "Pulled in a few favors." He smirks.

"That takes the total number of security folk to nine hundred." Quentin’s lips twitch.

That’s more than one security person per new arrival, if you include the press.

Add in the mass of tourists coming into the island, the extra ferries being pressed into service, the additional sea and air traffic, not to mention the private planes and yachts expected during this, the scale is truly astonishing.

There hasn't been any further suspicious activity or threats since the assassination attempts on the princess. But instead of reassuring me, it’s made me more nervous. It signals that whoever was behind the threats could be regrouping. But I’ll be damned if they'll get through security at the wedding and do anything to disrupt the ceremony. My princess deserves a service fit for a queen. And with the number of security personnel deployed, we just might be able to mitigate the risk involved.

My shoulders relax slightly. "Now, we only have to rework the security arrangements and brief everyone."

"Good thing we have another seventy-two hours to the wedding." Brody rolls his shoulders. "Hell of a bachelor’s party you’ve got going here, bro."

I bare my teeth. "Never did believe in them."

Besides, I’m not getting drunk before the wedding. Not when I need to keep my wits around me. And no way, am I interested in going to a strip club or any of the conventional activities that bachelors seem to revel in. I’m not interested in any woman but her. So no, count me out of these boring rituals. I intend to channel all of my energy into making sure my woman is safe.

I walk around the table to the whiteboard and pick up a marker. "Here’s how I propose we allocate our resources for that day."

44

Aurelia

"I can do this." I begin to rub my sweaty palms down my dress when Zoey cries out.

"Don’t."

"Oh"—I glance down at my wedding dress and grimace—"thanks. I couldn’t live with myself if I stained this beautiful gown."

We’re in the room adjoining the main hallway of the Royal palace. The rest of the girls have gone ahead, and we’re waiting for our pick-up to the cathedral.

"It looks vintage." She smiles at me, looking gorgeous in her peach bridesmaid’s dress.

My dress is deceptively simple, with a V-shaped neckline and a lace bodice which nips in at my waist before continuing in a straight A-line skirt to my ankles.

"It is." I touch the intricate lace appliqué of the fitted bodice. "It really is beautiful." My arms are covered by the long sleeves,inspired by my mother’s own wedding dress. It’s modest, as befits a cathedral wedding.

I agreed to it because every generation of the Royal Family of Verenza, has gotten married here. While I’m not religious, I know my mother would have wanted this.

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