Page 28 of Forbidden Prince
Marco danced them back into the crowd where she knew people talked about them. She didn't care that people took her picture. So what if her parents saw that she was with Marco? Their opinions no longer mattered. The country club life was not for her, anyway, no matter what happened with Marco, and she was glad she’d come to that realization before she’d made a terriblemistake.
Marco twirled her and she tipped her head back and laughed with purejoy.
He was everything she could ever want, all wrapped up in one amazing body. Now she just had to believe that he might one day loveher.
Renee had to trust him. Earlier, he’d referred to her as his American girlfriend to the WorldPress.
The song changed to a faster beat. Marco's hands shifted from her waist and palm to her shoulder. Queen Anna Camilla stood at her seat, which was more like a small throne next to the king, and the musicstopped.
Marco directed her toward his family that all sat at a table much grander than everyone else’s and they stood behind his mother who held the king's hand. "In an almost unanimous vote, we are grateful that the people of Avce have decided to allow us to continue. We look forward to the future, where our family continues to bless and offer blessings inreturn."
"I told you the people in our country approve of my family," Marco whispered. He held her in front of him, with his arms wrapped around hers. "The threat was from the outside and I'm working full time to ensure no one else harms ourfamily."
"I believe you." Renee smiled as more people took pictures of them. Once the flash of lights ended, she saw that her friend beamed from happiness next to her new husband. "Kristin and Antonio seem so happy. I'm glad we came here for her to find truelove."
"True love is rare." He turned her toward him and she glanced up to meet his gaze, while still in his arms. "Why don't we go change out of these clothes? Throw on a pair of jeans. I want to take you sailing tonight, just you andme."
"Sounds awesome." She pointed to her blue Christian Louboutin heels. "Flats will benice."
"Come." While his family was occupied with answering questions, he led her toward a back door where the warm night air tickled her skin from outside though they were simply in the foyer. "Meet me by the stairs in tenminutes."
"Fifteen." She shook her head but stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "It's going to take me three minutes just to reach my room in theseshoes."
"Hurry." He kissed her forehead. The warmth of his breath made her knees weak. She turned to head up the stairs, but he yanked her back into his arms. He captured her lips in a claimingkiss.
Last night, on the roof, he’d claimed every inch of her body and now she ached to have himagain.
A laugh in the distance broke their spell. He reluctantly released her and she made her way to the first step. Their gaze never parted. In the next step, she'd lose sight of him. Near the turn, she winked and hurried around the dark corner. Out of his sight, she slipped off her heels, held them in her hand and rushed up thesteps.
Near her door, she hummed the last song they’d danced to as she walked into her room. If Marco was in love with her then there was no way she'd ever leave. How could she turn her back on a chance at truelove?
She closed the door behind her, dreaming, dancing, and flipped the light on. Her eyes adjusted and shescreamed.
Her maid, Anise, in her black uniform, her usual bun completely wrecked, was tied to the chair and Renee's clothes were everywhere—her room had been ransacked. Renee couldn't breathe. Every cell in her body wanted to run away, but she threw her high heels on the floor and rushed inside to help Anise. "What happened? Are youokay?"
Renee untied the knots of thin rope keeping Anise captive on the cushioned bench. Her wrists had been tied behind her back and her anklestogether.
Anise rubbed her red wrist. "There is a note,miss."
Her heart was racing, but she picked up the paper with her name onit.
She read it aloud. "No more Americans in our country. Leave now if you want to live." Renee hugged the paper to her chest. This was too much. Her brain couldn't process the situation. But she was smart—and standing in front of rowdy high school kids had taught her to bluffconfidence.
"Are you all right,Anise?"
Her maid nodded once, her facepale.
"What did they looklike?"
"I didn’t seeanybody."
Renee selected jeans and a t-shirt. She'd bring the note to Marco. There wasn’t a 911 to call within thepalace.
Anise began tidying the room, picking up clothes and shoes. "Don't," Renee said. "I want Marco and the guard to see whathappened."
"Yes, miss. Of course. I'm not thinking straight right now." Anise straightened her spine. "I'd like to take abreak."
"Go. Tell your family you're okay—I will send Marco or General Babik to question you—you don’t have to stay." Renee put on her Givenchy ballet shoes. "I’m glad you weren’thurt."
