LITMIR.BIZ

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      “You’re more fun than any of my friends.”

      “Thank you.”

      “I mean it. I don’t know anyone, male or female, who loves what I love and can do everything with me and keep up.”

      “I’m afraid I didn’t turn out to be like my socialite parents.”

      “Thank heaven!”

      Those two words warmed her heart all the way back to their island. After putting things away, they sat down to a meal, then went back out to the deck. Antonio covered her in sunscreen. His touch made her knees buckle. “Shall we stay in bed the rest of the day instead?”

      Christina could hardly talk. “I’d love it, but our time here is so short, we need to take advantage of it.” She couldn’t believe she’d worried that in a week Antonio might be bored with her. Maybe it was because all the time they’d spent together in Switzerland had prepared her to be more comfortable with him where everything felt so natural.

      “Just remember we’ll have all night,” he whispered against her neck. His breath sent tendrils of delight through her system. While she was still trying to recover, he got out the snorkels and fins. Once again they got into the boat and went looking for fish. The lagoon was home to so many species they had the time of their lives viewing everything.

      She lost track of the time. So did Antonio. It wasn’t until they suffered hunger pains that she realized it was time to go in. When they returned to the island and were tying up the boat, Manu was there to greet them.

      “You two must have had a good day to be out so long.”

      Christina smiled at him. “Every day is a good day here.” But she sensed he had something else on his mind. So did Antonio.

      “What’s wrong, Manu?”

      “There was a call from the palace in Halencia. You are to call your sister as soon as you can. You can use the phone here and I’ll put it through for you.”

      Both Christina and Antonio exchanged worried glances. Any number of things could be wrong for her to interrupt their honeymoon. “Thank you. I’ll do it as soon as we’re finished here.”

      “Your dinner is in the kitchen when you want to eat.”

      “You’re terrific, Manu,” she said.

      After he disappeared, Antonio helped her out of the boat and they put their gear away. Already there was a change in her husband. Lines darkened his features, making him look older. They’d had an unforgettable night of loving and had been so carefree she could have cried to see that anxious look cross over his face.

      Together they walked inside the bedroom of the hut, both of them still wearing their bathing suits. He turned to her. “I’m going to put on a robe, then make the call.”

      While he went into the bathroom to change, she pulled out some underwear and dressed in a pair of tan shorts and a cream top. Then she hung her bikini over the outside rail to dry, all the time frightened something serious had happened back home. An accident, or worse?

      Antonio came out of the bathroom and walked over to the side of the bed to the phone. She sat down next to him. He put the phone on speaker and grasped her hand while he waited for Manu to connect the call.

      “Tonio?”

      “Elena?” His heart was racing. “What’s wrong?”

      “I’m so sorry to bother you on your honeymoon, but—”

      “Is anyone ill?”

      “No, no. Everyone’s fine, but there’s something you need to know. I hope you’re sitting down to hear this.”

      Antonio looked at his wife, anxious for what was coming. “Go ahead.”

      “I—I have to give you some background first,” she stammered. “You know that guy Rolfe? The drug addict I wish I’d never met?”

      He sucked in his breath. “Yes?”

      “Last week he was arrested on heavier drug charges. He called me from the jail and told me that if I didn’t help him out of the new charges, he’d tell the press everything about what happened when he was jailed the first time.”

      “What?” he and Christina cried out at the same time. His thoughts were reeling.

      “I thought he was high on drugs when he called me and I hung up on him. But he phoned me on the morning you were getting married and threatened me again. I told him there wasn’t anything I could do. He hung up on me telling me I’d be sorry.

      “Oh, Tonio—he leaked the news about your fake engagement to the press. It’s all over the media that you thought up the bogus alliance with Christina to get me out of trouble with the police. He claimed I used drugs too and should have been jailed along with him.

      “It’s gone viral too. The internet is alive with rumours that you were having an affair in California while Christina was in Africa having an affair with the doctor. He made it all up, but it’s done its damage.

      “Marusha phoned me and told me she and her family are sick about this and want to know what they can do to stop it getting any worse. I don’t know what to do.

      “The palace is in an uproar. Both sets of parents are beside themselves. Guido’s trying to help everything by preparing a new list of princesses. In case you can somehow salvage your reputation and get your marriage annulled, you’ll have a list of royal hopefuls to choose from. I’m fighting for you, Tonio, but I can’t do it alone.”

      Pain ripped him apart. His arm went around his wife. He could only imagine how Christina was feeling right now.

      “I heard Father give immediate orders for the jet to be flown to Tahiti to bring you home. It’s on its way now and will arrive at the airport at six in the morning Tahitian time. You need to be ready with a plan and come home as quickly as you can to help sort out this disaster, because that’s what it is!

      “There’s a groundswell from people who don’t believe you should be crowned because of the lie. I’ve been labeled a drug addict and am the result of my parents who aren’t worthy of ruling the country. The people are afraid the lack of integrity on both your part and Christina’s has compromised everything.

      “If feelings reach tipping point, the people could withdraw their support for the monarchy and this could be the end of it. The coronation has been called off until further notice.”

      “No,” Christina cried out.

      “Oh, Christina, I didn’t know you were listening. Let’s face it. I’m the one responsible for all this. I’m the reason any of this has happened and I feel so horrible about it I want to die. I never realized how vindictive Rolfe could be. How cruel and heartless after what you did to get him a light sentence. I spent time with him when I was at my most rebellious and wasn’t careful with the information I let out without realizing it. You and Christina have every right to hate me.”

      “Of course we don’t hate you,” he ground out. “For now you’ll just have to hang on until we get back to Halencia. Trust me. We’re going to sort this out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow in person. And, Elena, never forget that we love you.”

      * * *

      Christina had buried her face in her hands. “Bellissima—” He took her in his arms.

      Hearing that word applied to her produced a groan from her. She was so horrified over the news she felt physically ill and couldn’t form words.

      His body stiffened. “I wondered what form of chicanery has been underfoot while we were on our honeymoon. It’s what I expected. I just didn’t know in the exact manner it would explode. Christina? Look at me.”

      She tried, but his image was blurry.

      “I know

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