Page 29 of Forbidden Prince
Anise left and Renee tossed her clothes on and ran out the door to findMarco.
Perhaps her father was right and she needed to find a guy that was stable and down to earth. Marco was from a different universe and right now she felt their worlds didn’t mesh. Home and hearth were more important than glitter and designer clothes. She raced down the stairs again, holding the railing to keepsteady.
Marco had said to meet him in fifteen minutes, and twenty had passed. He’d understand once she showed him the note in her hand. He'd know what todo.
Halfway down the stairs, she took a sharp corner and literally ran intoGreg.
He slipped back, but clutched the banner to keep from fallingbackward.
"Sorry!"
"It’s fine. Where are you going in such ahurry?"
Greg had just survived being a target so he was the only person in the world who must have felt remotely this way. Threatened in a foreign country. He smiled at her and slipped his hands in his pockets. "Kristin's wedding was beautiful. I'm glad I was here forit."
"Are you?" The image of a bomb strapped around his body replayed in her mind. She'd be in the psychologist's office trying to make the images stop if she was in his shoes. "I don't see how you can be so chill. You almost diedyesterday."
She’d not mention he had a thing for Kristin as that seemedrude.
Greg shrugged, like he hadn't a care in the world. "The royal family has been nice to me. I'm on the way to get my bags and head to the airport to go home and see mymom."
"You're going home?" Renee's mind flashed with possibilities. If she was in her apartment, safe in Miami, no one would try to hurt her. No one would care who she was to threaten her—here, as Marco’s girlfriend, she was vulnerable. Her bed and her fluffy slippers that Kristin always made fun of were like a beacon of light. Home. White walls, artposters.
Greg pointed in the opposite direction and placed his hand on her back, to hug her goodbye. "My flight leaves soon. Antonio Aussa lent me his personal jet so that I could fly home quickly and incomfort."
She huggedhim.
Marco's waiting arms called to her, but the threatening note insisted she leave. It was time she followed that. Her life wasn't that bad as a teacher—she had her own money, her independence, and she made a difference to some of the kids. She took a deep breath, hugged her waist, and asked, "Greg, can I go with you? I don't want to be hereanymore."
"Sure." He took the first step in the opposite direction of where she intended. He had no idea, but she followed while he said, "The car's outfront."
Right. With the wedding celebration still happening, Marco’s family wouldn't stop her. The harsh reality was that Marco had only ever been a dream—even her mother had said Renee was not cut out to be a princess. She and Marco were not destined for forever. It was time to run home. She nodded and followed Greg in the oppositedirection.
Her mind painted the vivid picture of Marco, in jeans and a light sweater, waiting near the door to the veranda that led down to the river. For her. Her stomach tightened withregret.
She slipped the paper into the back pocket of her jeans and walked with Greg. It was better to let Marco remember her in her bridesmaid’s dress, gorgeous and kissing him with unbridled passion, because for the rest of her life, she'd remember him in his black tuxedo, leading her gracefully around the dancefloor.
14
Marco waitedby the veranda for thirty minutes. Renee never appeared. He checked his watch, his instincts on high alert. She'd been excited about sailing, and leaving the crowded party, but now party goers were beginning to exit theballroom.
He made his way toward her room. If Renee was changing still, he could wait forher.
But his gut told him something wasup.
He knocked on her door, but no answer came. Footsteps sounded in the hall and he looked to his side. Renee's maid lowered her head as if trying to avoid his attention. He called out, "Is Renee stillinside?"
"No, sir." She continued to study the floor. "She said she went to find you, and I wasn't to clean the room until yousaw."
"Saw what?" Alarmed, he pushed open her bedroomdoor.
Her clothes were thrown everywhere, and the place looked broken into. "What happened here? Who didthis?"
Anise shrugged. "I don't know, Prince Marco. She took the note and went to find you on the backstairwell."
"Whatnote?"
"Whoever did this left it on the vanity." The maid’s shoulders trembled withfear.
