Page 24 of Forbidden Prince
Greg kicked Victor for good measure and stood above him. "No one gets to hurt mymother."
If Victor had hurt one hair on the queen’s head, Marco would have done far worse. He coughed and shuffled toward the openpatio.
The debris cleared. "Seems like all four walls are stillstanding."
"Well the legend does say the castle walls will always protect our family." Antonio quipped. "Guess Father was right, foronce."
Marco and Antonio went to the balcony and checked the damage he'd done. At least his aim was still spot-on and the bomb went off near the river. "Nobody’s hurt," he said, his shoulders sagging with relief. "I threw it into the river, away from the village and thecastle."
"Well done, littlebrother."
In soldier mode, Marco took out his phone, spoke to the guards and then ended the call. Everyone he loved was outside on the front patio, safe. His face heated when he knelt down to help his brother tie Victor's arms. "I knew Victor was jealous but I had no idea it went thisdeep."
Antonio shook his head. "He and Sophia cooked up this scheme. The vote and my upcoming wedding to an American made them desperate. Lucio suspected them for a year—we need to find outwhy."
At least someone in the family had. He should have. Marco felt responsible for the entire mess. He’d failed at his job. "Lucio suspects everyone and trusts noone."
Done, Antonio motioned for them to go. "I should go findKristin."
"I’ll go with you. They are at the front of the palace." And he needed to see Renee. Marco's muscles tensed as he thought about how she could have beenhurt.
Hopefully she didn't care about Greg and only cared about him. General Babik came inside and Marco pointed him toVictor.
Greg, shaking, asked, "Are you going to arrest me here too? I didn't want this tohappen."
"I think you'll be fine," Marco said, but his brother tuned into theirconversation.
Antonio added, "I get it, you didn't doit."
"Is there a phone so I can talk to my mom again? She's probably sick, thinking I'm deadalready."
"Sure." Antonio led him toward the guards and the phone. Marco kept walking for thedoor.
Antonio caught up with him before he reached the hall—he must have run. Marco turned his way. "I owe you an apology,Antonio."
"Yeah?" The jubilant cries outside the palace were better than New Year's celebrations. They paused to take it in—Marco searched the grounds but only saw locals he’d seen almost every day since he moved toAvce.
Finally, Marco's gaze met Renee's. She was fine. Her hair glowed in the afternoon sunshine. He slapped Antonio’s shoulder and said, "Perhaps your computer search wasn't allwrong."
Antonio's search for a bride had brought Marco Renee. But maybe he didn't deserve her… She craved safety and he was a man who dove into danger. Right now, he needed to touch her. Antonio interrupted his thoughts. "You and Renee are...cozy."
Marco's face felt hot. "She's sweet and determined to head home. I'm going to try and see her after yourwedding."
He hurried down the palace steps to Renee and she wrapped her arms around him. He did the same and captured her lips withhis.
Nothing else mattered but Renee. His hands brushed against her body and all he wanted was to take her, again. He needed to show her that she was his and he intended to keepher.
The thought hit him like a cold steel rod.She didn’t want to bekept.
He lifted his head as his brother explained to their father, "Marco disarmed the bomb strapped to an innocent man's chest. Victor was in league with Sophia—they are both in custody. How are you,Father?"
Cameras took video of their every move. The world knew Renee belonged to him. He tightened his hold around hershoulders.
His mother took control of the public situation by addressing the crowd of cheering people. "King Leopoldo will make a fullrecovery."
Marco brought Renee into his inner circle of family, where she'd besafe.
His father, the king, motioned for the nurses to turn him toward the reporters. He then took Antonio's hand. "I will be standing at your wedding,son."
