Page 12 of Forbidden Prince
Marco let her go and turned toward the General. "I want to questionthem."
Question who? He couldn't mean his parents. Her heart beat faster again. "Marco, leave that to theprofessionals."
"I am theprofessionals."
Ice raced through her veins. "What does thatmean?"
His dark, chestnut brown eyes held her steady. "I've been training with Interpol, the CIA and MI6 since I left the military academy. It's my job to ensure no other foreign element interferes in our country,again."
She hugged her waist as she repeated every word in her brain. Her lips pursed. "So you're not the playboy prince the newspaperssay?"
He winked. "I am with you." He turned toward the next door and the general. "Now stay with Babik while I go in to questionthem."
Guards stood on both sides and opened the electrified door. She peered through it, where Marco was about to leave and saw black bars. This wasn't a fantasy movie. No dream. Her breaths quickened. "Is that adungeon?"
He lifted her chin so she looked at him. "It's modern and completely safe. Now kiss me so I come backfaster."
Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her heart raced, but the moment his lips met hers again, sherelaxed.
He pulled back too fast, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "Marco, hurry. I don't want to meet your parents withoutyou."
He nodded and turned to leave. Her stomach felt like it was in knots. Political intrigue, foreign plots, none of this was what her summer vacation was supposed to be. However, Marco was nothing like she thought either. His touch was forbidden and sexy, and he was better, in every way. If this affair between them lasted her entire vacation, she'd agree to whatever dull future was in store at the countryclub.
6
Renee's heartstill thundered when she thought about how close they’d come to dying. Marco left the dungeon and she shot out of her seat to meet him near thedoor.
His touch calmed her fears. She hugged him and tension eased from her shoulders. He folded her hands with his and said, "Let'sgo."
The fact that she’d slept with a spy and not just a prince somehow made him even more thrilling. "Whereto?"
He led her through the white hallway. "We're off to check on my parentsnow."
"What did you find out?" She gestured behindthem.
He frowned and stared ahead of them instead of glancing at her. "Nothing specific. I need to protect my parents. Stress could kill my father rightnow."
"I'm sorry." She meant it. Panic shouldn't cause her to forget why Kristin and Renee were at the palace. "Is your father being sick why Antonio must marry in twoweeks?"
"All three of us must marry before we turn thirty. If we don't, we're banished by law." He tugged her forward. "I can't imagine not seeing my brothers and parents whenever Iwant."
She nodded, better understanding why her friend's romance was rushed because she hoped Kristin and Antonio found true love despite the circumstances. Marco would eventually marry someone else and she'd find a dull man like Greg. For now, they had eachother.
They made their way up the stairs when a beautiful dyed blonde with fierce blue eyes rounded the corner. The blonde looked her up and down and Renee felt judged in a negative way. Marco stopped. "Sophia, I hope you survived theattack?"
"Yes, I did. I feel better, especially knowing my Antonio issafe."
Alarm bells rang in Renee's head but she had no idea why. Perhaps it was the sparkling ice-blue dress that matched Sophia’s frosty gaze. Renee still wore Marco's gym shorts and t-shirt from her morning scare and she'd not checked on her best friend yet. She gave his hand a subtle tug. Marco quickly said, "We must go,Sophia."
"Goodbye." She never spoke a word toRenee.
Once they were far enough away to not be overheard, Renee asked, "Who’sSophia?"
"The woman my mother chose for Antonio when we were boys. Antonio wants nothing to do withher."
Kristin had competition? She was never mentioned. Renee was sure of it. Her gaze narrowed. "Why is shehere?"
Marco shrugged. "Antonio must marry someone fast. I hope your friend says yes or Sophia might neverleave."
