Renee went through the rack of wedding dresses while the queen spoke softly to Kristin. She made a selection she thought Kristin might like and another that was more her style.

It didn't hurt to try on a few dresses, she encouraged herself. Why not? It was all part of the fantasy. Even if Marco thought her new ideas were all rubbish and she headed back home, alone, well, then she'd know the style she'd want for her own wedding with someone at her parents’ country club.

The Monique Lhuillier frock was the perfect mix of modern and lace and she added that to her own pile. Kristin was more classical and would prefer Lela Rose's designs.

Kristin said, "Renee, Greg, I have to go change but let me know if anything happens."

Renee motioned to the rack she’d chosen for her, and said, "Start here."

"You're awesome," Kristin announced.

"Can I watch the fashion show for the upcoming royal wedding while we wait to hear about my mom?" Greg’s voice sounded higher than normal.

Friends, as he’d said back in Miami. Now that she looked at Greg, she compared him to Marco. Marco's dark eyes and strong touch was like a magnetic force that pulled her toward him. Greg's blond hair was cute, but he seemed more Peter Pan than the tall, dark and handsome sexy prince that Marco was.

"Sure." Renee patted Greg's shoulder and walked him toward the seats. "Why don't you sit with the designers?"

Kristin nodded and stood near the pile, blocking the view of the dresses from others. "Renee, the mermaid dress was the first style?"

"Yes. I put them in order," Renee called out while she made her way from the chairs back to the center to help.

Antonio, Kristin's fiancé, who loitered with guards near the door, left the room like he was about to fight someone. Once he was gone, Kristin picked up the first dress and said, "Good. Help me?"

"Delighted." Renee walked to the fitting room to help pull and zip. The shimmery white, satin and lace number made Kristin look like a true princess. But her friend's scowl told her that this was a no even before Kristin came out of the room and said, "No, thanks."

Antonio returned with his fists clenched and Kristin ducked into the makeshift changing room, a large closet with a mirror and bright light, so he'd not see her—bad luck. Antonio spoke with Greg.

Kristin waited for Renee, who immediately started unlacing the back of the gown. She stopped when Greg yelped from the next room.

"Me?" His voice cracked. "Mom, you were kidnapped!"

Kristin went out, not caring who saw her.

Renee hung the dresses properly and followed.

A moment later, she saw Greg lift his shirt and show parts of a bomb taped to his chest. Her heart raced while he said, "I can't, Mom. There is a bomb strapped to my body that's set to explode. I'm sorry. I love you."

Whoever was after Marco's family intended to kill them all!

Marco's brother Antonio hung up his phone and stepped in front of his mother while he told her, "Go. Get Babik."

Renee inched to the door. Marco was a trained spy. He'd know what to do.

"I have to get your father." The queen ran out of the room.

"It's strapped to my chest," Greg said in tones full of misery. "Sophia and Victor Amadeus threatened to kill my mom. They had pictures of her tied up. Sophia said she was going to let herself get caught so Victor could win."

The guards in the hall were waving the designers near the door down a hall. Renee's heart raced. She was on the other side of the room. She called out, "Greg, don't do this. I thought we were friends."

"We are," Greg said with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

Antonio gestured for her to come to the door. "Kristin, Renee, everyone, get out—go to the front of the palace. Outside."

"Do you have a bomb squad?" Renee wondered how she'd find Marco in time.

Antonio answered with confidence. "Marco is the most highly trained person in the country."

Her heart thumped that Marco could be hurt. More guards rushed to help get the guests out and Marco ran inside. He instantly placed his hand on her back, which helped fortify her strength. "I'm here, Antonio."

Renee asked, "Marco, can I help you?"

"I'd not be able to work without knowing you're okay. My father was already brought downstairs. Join my mother and him." Marco kissed her cheek and rushed toward Greg.

Near the door, Renee called out, "Come back to me, both of you."

Marco and Greg both looked at her before she followed the guards. She'd not interfere with diffusing a bomb. She raced down the stairs and held the rail so she didn't shake.

Once outside, she saw Queen Anna Camilla next to a man in a wheelchair who must be the king. The queen waved her over. "What's happening?"

"Marco is diffusing the bomb. Antonio stayed to help him."

"I can't lose both my sons, not like this." The queen eyes swam with tears.

Renee reached out and hugged her. She swayed on her feet and tried to comfort. "Marco's well-trained. You told me yourself."

"I hope we're planning your wedding next, Renee. I already wish you were my daughter too."

Renee cried. Her own mother had never told her that so sincerely. All her life she'd been Neil's unfortunate sister. Queen Anna Camilla was just one of the many reasons she'd say yes if Marco sincerely asked for her hand in marriage.

Most important, though, was that Marco come out, alive. Her heart beat so wildly in her chest she wasn't sure if she could stand. "I wish there was a way we could help them."

"Get Lucio on the phone for me." The queen handed Renee a cell phone and turned toward the king. "He was my most recent call."

Just then, Kristin, still in one of her wedding gowns, raced out of the palace and hugged Renee and the queen.

Renee had Lucio on the line. "Your Majesty, your other son."

The queen spoke to the king, but broke off to instruct her, "Tell him what's happening. I'll be there in a minute."

Renee took a deep breath. Right. Talk to Marco's brother. "This is Renee, Kristin's roommate."

"The one dating Marco. Mother likes you," Lucio said. "How can I help?"

She gripped the phone and wished she was stronger. Then she paced, to keep herself from running inside to be with Marco. "Your mother wanted you aware that Marco's inside, disarming a bomb strapped around Greg's body."

Lucio's voice was soothing and similar to Marco's, only slightly deeper. "Okay, I'll make sure the other agents with his mother understand the situation." He spoke to someone else. Renee’s skin felt electrified with adrenalin. Lucio returned and spoke to her again. "Renee, my brother knows what he's doing. Just trust."

"Trust is easy." Renee swallowed her own tears that started to form. "I'm scared for him, to be honest."

"He'll come out the doors any minute now and you can tell him how you feel."

"Feel?" She laughed, slightly manic. She had no idea how she felt other than Marco needed to walk out the door and hug her. She hugged her stomach but it wasn't as comforting. "I'm a complete wreck. I’ve always wanted a normal, simple life just as my mother always told me to dream. This is all too much."

"Renee, be calm." Her father had told her that many times. Renee's mind settled. Lucio continued, "Marco was always interested in computers and electronics and his mind works sharp under pressure. He's never failed at anything. You’ll see."

All Marco had to do was come outside. He didn't have to hug her. Seeing him would be enough. She pressed her lips together. "Thanks, Lucio. And thanks for taking care of Greg’s mother. Not knowing is the worst." The queen stood and met her gaze with a single nod. "Your mother is here for you."

Renee handed the phone to the queen and glanced at the growing crowd near the gates. Kristin looked despondent too, so Renee went over and asked, "Are you sure you want to marry Antonio? We can sneak out of here, if you're changing your mind."

"I love him, Renee." Kristin wiped her eyes. "I'm scared."

Good. Her friend always assumed love was a joke and scoffed at romantic movies, so having Kristin say that was a big deal. Renee kept her voice down so no one else heard them. "I'm happy for you. I'm glad you believe that love exists."

Kristin nodded. "Renee, love isn't bringing someone home to meet your parents. It's about finding your own home."

Score one for her best friend. She saw right through her. Marco was amazing and if he wasn't prince of a messed-up country where people strapped bombs on her friends, she'd say he made her feel happy.

Her old boyfriends had been decent guys, but nothing like Marco. Prince Marco Aussa lived way out of her league and she wasn't sure she belonged in this world. So maybe the feeling of belonging to him was stupid. She held her hands around her waist and stared at the door that didn’t open. He needed to get out here, now!