Page 39 of Forbidden Prince
"I'd like to see Venice, withyou."
"Done."
He spoke like he wasn't worried. Dread grew like a poison pill her in belly. She shook off herfear.
"You’re tense," he said. "Relax. It might not be good foryou."
"I wish we could just wait and see but that is going to make you crazy, isn’t it? Let’s just take the test so you don't worry about this anymore." She rubbed her belly and closed her eyes. If she was pregnant, a baby might be blessing, but she kept that thought to herself. She was also okay with this being the flu. "I don't know about having a formal ceremony. Kristin's wedding wasoverwhelming."
"Antonio's the Crown Prince." Marco took both of her hands in his and kissed her cheek. Her skin felt warm from his lips that had touched her, intimately. "We don't have to do half the formalities as theydid."
Tears formed in her eyes and wouldn't stop. She sniffled anyhow and somehow made the tears turn into a full-blown cry. "I'm tiredstill."
"Don't cry." He massaged her back and it felt sogood.
She continued to blubber and turned to accept his offer of kindness. She hugged him. "I'm not. I don't want to loseyou."
"I'm not going anywhere." He looked straight at her, his brown eyes warm and inviting. "We can be happy if you letus."
Yeah right. Tears done, she took a deep breath and pointed at the open partition between them and the limo driver. "Your mother is probably wondering why we're sitting in front of the palace for solong."
"I don't care. I need to ensure you'reokay."
Was it any wonder she loved him? "Let's go. I'mfine."
Marco helped steady her when she stood outside the car. She glanced up at the tower where she and Marco picnicked that night and remembered Marco showing her the views. She’d felt like she was in a fairy tale, but now she imagined her mother staring down at her with disdain and disapproval. Anise and Henri waited at the palace door. "How did they beat ushere?"
"They left earlier; I wanted you to be comfortable during our stay." Marco didn’t look at either of them as he walked with her up the few palacesteps.
This time she'd keep her head on straight. The two doors were held open by servants. She stepped into the foyer that overlooked the main staircase, and with the blaring sunshine of the morning on her face, she saw her old roommate and best friend, Kristin running down the flight of stairs with her husband at a more leisurely pace walking behindher.
"Look, here come Kristin and Antonio." Marco stayed at herside.
"Kristin!" Her arms wrapped around her best friend, and it was like being given a life-line. She hugged her close and gained strength from the woman who had always had her back. She turned to her future husband and asked, "Marco, can I speak to my friend,alone?"
"Hello, Renee." Antonio gave her a hug. "Your parents arrivedearlier."
"I need a minute, if you don’t mind?" She hooked arms withKristin.
Marco nodded. "Antonio, help me find Mother? I'll wait for Renee to meet her mother andfather."
"Good. I was going to ask you to wait for me." She needed to protect him if shecould.
"This way." Antonio kissed his wife and Renee stared at Marco. If she was pregnant, would that guarantee her parents wouldn't scare him off? She didn't want to think like that, but the thought wouldn't go away. If only she didn't worry, but the truth was, she was terrified she'd losehim.
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Arm in armwith her roommate, Renee relaxed. She needed the support of a friend. Kristin had met her parents so she knew why they made Renee crazy. The men left and Kristin guided them to a side room in the palace. Once the light was turned on, Renee realized this was a library. Pristine books were everywhere behind glassshelves.
Her former roommate and best friend was a welcome sight, far more than her family’s presence would be. Her own mother wouldn't understand at all, but Kristin knew it all and never judged. Kristin led them to a cushy sofa and sat down beside her. Servants came and set water on a table before them. Neither of them said anything until they were gone. Then Kristin broke thesilence.
"Renee, your mother pretends we nevermet."
Her face felt hot. "I have no idea what I'm going to do if they ruin my relationship withMarco."
"That's impossible." Kristin stared at her and her eyes seemed to blaze. "Marco is like his brother—a force ofnature."
Right. Renee took a deep breath. "I once thought my ex Tom was an alpha who wouldn't cave." Renee felt the tears but blinked them back. Kristin was the first one she could say anything to. "My mother and father ran him off so fast. I thought I was about to be engaged to a multibillionaire and that he was tough enough, but one golf course meeting with my father and he bailed on me. I was lost and assumed all I could do to make them happy was bring home someone they approved of—Marco doesn’t match. I didn't plan any of this, but I lovehim."
