Page 29 of The Spy

He nodded. “We’re safe.”

“But I don’t think we can ever rest easy.”

He paused, squinting out over the sea. “No, but do monarchs ever rest easy?”

And a small increase in understanding trickled in. Her own identity brought with it certain dangers. If she hadn’t done the international espionage work, she would have just taken her life for what it was. Now that she had a better understanding of the dangers that faced them, sheviewedit all differently, but nothing had changed. “True.” She reached for his hand.

“I admit the wedding makes me nervous, but I think every time we’ve ever had an event in Torren I’ve been nervous.”

Nico approached. “Of course you have. You’re a wreck. That’s why we let you head up security for so long. You felt better if you were controlling, and aware of, all our security measures.”

Lucan grunted. “You sure it wasn’t because I was the best man for the job.”

“You can be replaced.”

When Lucan bristled, Nico held up a hand. “With the same measures in place.”

Anna laughed. “Trust has always been an issue with him.”

“Not so. I have complete trust in some, for some things.”

Anna and Nico laughed.

“But I do think we can move forward with the wedding. If we move back to the way things were before thegunman,we are golden.”

Lucan put his arm around Anna and she felt the safety and hope in his embrace. Perhaps they could make this work after all.

Chapter 16

Anna walked in at Lucan’s side, down the long aisle of the filled church. Rose petals ruffled up over the tops of her toes that peeked out from glittery heels. Standing as tall as she was, Lucan’s eyes were almost eye level. Another awesome perk to dating Lucan. She could wear the highest heels she wanted. His strong arm flexed beneath her fingers. She searched his face, momentarily concerned, but he just grinned at her, flexing again.

She smirked.

Smoky pastel flowers cascaded over every available space. The centuries old cathedral felt warm and welcoming, love filling the cavernous space. People she recognized on all sides smiled at her. They entered, one after the other, a Valdez prince and the woman he loved on his arm.The woman he loved. She had not heard Lucan say the words, ever. At times she found that curious. She wondered when he would ever admit his love. He had certainly shown it many times over.

She took her seat and Lucan joined his brothers in front, a line of handsome men in tuxes, happy grins on their faces, with Thad the happiest of all.

A group of Americans sat on several rows across the aisle from Anna, happy, loud, dressed differently, less traditionally. She could always spot an American.

And then the music changed and everyone in the room stood up.

Sage looked stunning. Cameras flashed. True to their marketing efforts for the company they both ran, they were using the wedding for publicity. Anna shook her head. They were perfect for each other.

She turned her eyes back to Lucan, and he was watching her. She drank him in, enjoyed his attention, looked back into his eyes with all the love she could muster. She wanted this. She wanted him. And she hoped he knew it.

She raised a hand up to her heart, and he nodded his head, then winked.

The service was beautiful, the couple happy. Everyone cheered.

And now they would move on to the rest of the festivities. One day full of Torren wedding parties. A parade with the whole family waving from different cars, an event for the public where the royal family greeted them from the balcony in the village outside of their palace, and a huge reception and dance, combined with the annual Royal Gala.

Lucan had panicked about every public appearance they would make until he had grilled the security team sufficiently. The truth was, they would never be completely safe, but who in the world was guaranteed perfect safety? At some point you just had to move forward and live your life. When she expressed so many words to Lucan, he nodded, grit his teeth, and stopped complaining.

When they stepped back inside from the balcony, he let out such a large sigh of relief that the others noticed and laughed.

The day continued and he started to relax. Until at last, they were at the gala and almost finished. Anna looked forward to dancing with him. “I’m hoping you save your dances for me, and wipe those concerned wrinkles from your face.”

“I’m sorry. Have I made today more difficult than it needed to be?”

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