Page 46 of Forbidden Prince
Kristin kneed Henri in his man parts, stepped back out of reach and met her gaze. If she stayed, it would be Renee's fault. "Run Kristin. GetMarco."
Kristin gave a curt nod and ran full force toward the castle. Henri stood, grabbing his crotch. The man holding her yanked her arms back and she squealed. "How does she knowyou?"
Henri whipped off the black mask and stared at it and her before shoving it in his back pocket. "I served her and the prince at the South Castle. She must know I can't allow her to marry theprince."
Her heart beat wildly, but as a teacher, she remembered if you continued to humanize yourself, you found a way to crack even the hardened nuts. "Henri, I knew you didn't like me from the second we met, but you don't have to kidnap me. I don't mind agreeing to disagree with lots ofpeople."
Her captor dragged her backward, her heels in the gravel path. "Your death will be the symbol that no foreign rulers should come to thisland."
"I'm not a ruler." She stared at Henri again. "And Marco calls himself the spare of the spare, and the longer Antonio is married, the further down the line hegoes."
Henri's pensive expression gave her hope. He opened his mouth to say something, but the man behind her squeezed her harder and said, "Don’t talk to our hostage,Henri."
Henri patted his stomach like he felt sick. He then stared above her head. "David, my sister said Renee was kind. You swore this demonstration wouldn't cause her pain during herdeath."
Her skin prickled. Her death? No. She tugged her arms again. "Marco will findme."
"He will try." David spokemenacingly.
A buzz whizzed past her ear. David released her and his hand went to his neck. "Whatthe..."
She turned and saw blood spurting from his neck. She backed away, realizing David was shot, but she walked into the white-faced Henri who didn't at all try to touch her. David thumped to the ground. Her pulse felt like it went 100 MPH, but she tried to remain calm. She turned and said, "Henri, if you let me go, Marco will forgiveyou."
Again, Henri didn't touch her, but he clutched his stomach and said, "David..."
Right. She interrupted and stepped in his way so he stared in her eyes. "It's your decision now, Henri, and you're not amurderer."
He nodded and curled his shoulders inward while he ran in the opposite direction. "Fine. Go. Getout."
"Renee!" Marco's voice called in the distance. She ran toward his voice and didn't stop until she wrapped her arms around his strongshoulders.
Her worst nightmare had played out and, somehow, she’d survived. Her body shivered, but she held Marco as tight as she could. "They were kidnapping me. Someone shot the one named David and Henri let mego."
"I shot him," Marco said while holdingher.
All of her body went stiff. Part of her wanted to hug him and the other part was terrified. What if he’d missed? Then she pulled him in for another hug. "But I was standing rightthere."
"I had a clear shot." He cradled herhead.
The second David let her arms go and went slack behind her replayed in her mind. As she backed out of the hug, she glanced up. "Marco, how did youknow?"
He reached for her hand and she felt a jolt rush through her. "I've been investigating Henri and Anise since yesterday." She inhaled but wasn't quite sure the exhale came out while he said, "I knew he went to a few meetings of the anarchists, but I hoped he'd choose a differentpath."
"Anarchists?" No government. "They don't believe in any government power and David Sirov was one of their leaders. He intended to murder you, onvideo."
Right. She patted her neckline and checked she was fine, everywhere. "I gathered it was going to be a show." Her arms might be bruised, but otherwise, she was fine. David was the one in the maze, dead. Her heartbeat began to normalize and she gained control. "Where are theynow?"
"They move around so I’m not sure." Marco crossed his arms and stared ahead of him. She turned and saw that he paid attention to the news vans and reporters outside the black gate with gold trim. "Henri has hopefully gone to his group. I have my people trackinghim."
She took a deep breath and realized this was it. If she was to be princess, she had to be strong and manage. Kristin was doing a phenomenal job and Renee needed to fully embrace her new role. She lifted her chin. "I'm thankful you arehere."
Marco tried to take her hand and turn toward the castle, but she tugged it back without letting go. He said, "Let's get you inside, out of shot from the cameras that are surrounding thegate."
"No." She waved toward the news crew. "Let's go talk to thereporters."
His leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Are yousure?"
"Yes, I'm sure." She faced the direction of thegate.
