LITMIR.BIZ

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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 this has come as a shock, but we’re going to get through this because there’s been total honesty between us, grazie a Dio. Remember Elena needs our protection more than ever. She’s very fragile right now.”

      “You’re right. I knew there was something wrong when she kept saying she hoped we’d be happy. Throughout our wedding she was terrified and had to keep all that bottled up inside. The poor thing.”

      He kissed her lips. “I’ll make arrangements for the helicopter to be here at five a.m. Then you and I are going to have a long, serious talk.”

      His composure under these precarious circumstances was nothing short of miraculous. The affairs of the kingdom were falling apart, yet his mastery in dealing with it was a revelation. As far as she was concerned, this was Antonio’s finest hour.

      Whether she ever became queen or not, she would act like one right now because Antonio had never needed her help more to present a unified front. She knew deep down he wanted to be king in order to save his country from possible ruin. More than anything, Christina wanted that for him, whatever it took.

      She grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator and hurried through the hut to their bedroom. While she waited for him to come, she started the packing for both of them. Five o’clock would be here soon enough. They needed to be ready to leave.

      Christina lifted her head when he came into the bedroom with their dinner tray. “Did you get through to Manu?”

      He nodded. “Everything is set. Since you’ve packed the bags, we can eat.” He put it on the bed. “Come on.”

      She took a shaky breath. “I—I couldn’t.”

      “You have to. I don’t want my wife getting sick on me. We’re on our honeymoon and I intend to enjoy it for the next six hours.”

      Christina actually laughed despite her agony.

      Together they got on the bed and ate. When they’d finished eating, he got up to put the tray on the table. “Excuse me a moment. I’ll be right back.”

      She wondered what he was doing until she heard Tahitian music from the radio piped into their room. Once he reappeared, he turned off the lamps and crawled onto the bed beside her.

      “This music is enchanting, isn’t it?” she said.

      “I love it. Come here to me,” he whispered. “I need you.”

      The blood pounded in her ears before she moved into his arms. “What are we going to do, Antonio?”

      “We’re going to stay just like this.”

      “You know what I mean.”

      “Yes, but there’s nothing to do about anything until we reach Halenica, so you’re stuck with me.”

      “That’s no penance. You smell wonderful.”

      “So you’ve noticed.”

      She swallowed hard. “I notice everything.”

      “So do I. You’re a warrior under that fiery mane.”

      “What a compliment.”

      “It is, because you’re going to be queen and now I know you have the steel to help me. Any other woman would have gone into hysterics a little while ago. Not you.”

      She smiled in secret pleasure. “You wouldn’t let me. That’s the sign of a great king.”

      “The priest’s words never had as much meaning to me until now.”

      “Which words were those?”

      “The part where

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