"Stand up." Marco ripped Greg's tank top so he could see the bomb.

The look of terror on Renee's face haunted him, but he worked on getting Greg’s entire shirt off so he could see the whole bomb. Once the room was cleared of people, Marco picked up his tools and traced the bomb for the trigger.

The device was so thin that it hadn't been visible beneath the tight fabric.

Greg stood still while Marco traced the belt with a small metal object that looked like a pen.

"What are you doing?" Greg asked nervously.

The last thing he needed was for Greg to move during the extraction, so he opted to explain. "This is an IED, clearly made to let the world believe this was a suicide bomb." Marco then pointed to a plastic container. "This is the PETN, but I need to find the trigger and stop it before it detonates."

Greg's tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry. I just wanted to wash my car, that's why I'm wearing these old clothes."

The clothes didn't matter though Renee's relationship with Greg definitely did. Marco motioned for Antonio to talk to Greg and keep him calm.

"You’re doing good," Antonio said.

Greg nodded and sniffed. "I don't want a life of excitement. I just want to go home and forget this ever happened."

As long as his home didn't include Renee at his side, thought Marco.

Marco focused on the trigger and worked his tool to release the bomb, but he was hyperaware of footsteps in the hall. A second later a loud bang echoed that must be the door. Antonio had to deal with it because Marco was in a sensitive juncture, but from the corner of his eye, he saw his best friend Victor Amadeus holding a semi-automatic gun inside the room.

Antonio whispered, "Keep working, Marco. I'll handle this."

Marco had seconds to disarm the bomb. He closed his ears and trusted his brother would take down the man with the gun. He whispered to Greg, who shook like a tree in a storm, "I need you not to move."

Marco had the first half of the trigger in his hand and needed to disconnect the second piece, when Victor shouted, "You walk around all proud of yourself because you were brought back to be a future king when the truth is you don't deserve any of this."

Marco began to disengage the second half of the trigger.

His brother said, "It's true. I don't deserve a crown. I never sought it out. It was offered to my father, because of our family lineage. The people believe if we're here, then our kingdom is blessed from heaven above and that they will all prosper."

Victor snarled and cocked the gun. "Your father bribed people to get back to Avce."

If the bomb went off, in a safe place, perhaps he'd distract Victor too. Marco unlaced the final piece of the trigger and worked on taking the explosive off Greg.

Victor snarled at Antonio. "I get to watch you and your brother die and know I finally stopped you."

It was now or never. Marco released Greg entirely and threw the bomb out the open terrace and toward the river. He then tackled Greg to get down to the ground. He had no time to warn his brother.

The ricochet from outside knocked the others down.

The gun hit the floor. Marco ran to his brother, prone on the floor. Antonio blinked in a daze, but allowed Marco to assist him to a standing position. Greg went for Victor and knocked him out from behind.

Greg kicked Victor for good measure and stood above him. "No one gets to hurt my mother."

If Victor had hurt one hair on the queen’s head, Marco would have done far worse. He coughed and shuffled toward the open patio.

The debris cleared. "Seems like all four walls are still standing."

"Well the legend does say the castle walls will always protect our family." Antonio quipped. "Guess Father was right, for once."

Marco and Antonio went to the balcony and checked the damage he'd done. At least his aim was still spot-on and the bomb went off near the river. "Nobody’s hurt," he said, his shoulders sagging with relief. "I threw it into the river, away from the village and the castle."

"Well done, little brother."

In soldier mode, Marco took out his phone, spoke to the guards and then ended the call. Everyone he loved was outside on the front patio, safe. His face heated when he knelt down to help his brother tie Victor's arms. "I knew Victor was jealous but I had no idea it went this deep."

Antonio shook his head. "He and Sophia cooked up this scheme. The vote and my upcoming wedding to an American made them desperate. Lucio suspected them for a year—we need to find out why."

At least someone in the family had. He should have. Marco felt responsible for the entire mess. He’d failed at his job. "Lucio suspects everyone and trusts no one."

Done, Antonio motioned for them to go. "I should go find Kristin."

"I’ll go with you. They are at the front of the palace." And he needed to see Renee. Marco's muscles tensed as he thought about how she could have been hurt.

Hopefully she didn't care about Greg and only cared about him. General Babik came inside and Marco pointed him to Victor.

Greg, shaking, asked, "Are you going to arrest me here too? I didn't want this to happen."

"I think you'll be fine," Marco said, but his brother tuned into their conversation.

Antonio added, "I get it, you didn't do it."

"Is there a phone so I can talk to my mom again? She's probably sick, thinking I'm dead already."

"Sure." Antonio led him toward the guards and the phone. Marco kept walking for the door.

Antonio caught up with him before he reached the hall—he must have run. Marco turned his way. "I owe you an apology, Antonio."

"Yeah?" The jubilant cries outside the palace were better than New Year's celebrations. They paused to take it in—Marco searched the grounds but only saw locals he’d seen almost every day since he moved to Avce.

Finally, Marco's gaze met Renee's. She was fine. Her hair glowed in the afternoon sunshine. He slapped Antonio’s shoulder and said, "Perhaps your computer search wasn't all wrong."

Antonio's search for a bride had brought Marco Renee. But maybe he didn't deserve her… She craved safety and he was a man who dove into danger. Right now, he needed to touch her. Antonio interrupted his thoughts. "You and Renee are... cozy."

Marco's face felt hot. "She's sweet and determined to head home. I'm going to try and see her after your wedding."

He hurried down the palace steps to Renee and she wrapped her arms around him. He did the same and captured her lips with his.

Nothing else mattered but Renee. His hands brushed against her body and all he wanted was to take her, again. He needed to show her that she was his and he intended to keep her.

The thought hit him like a cold steel rod. She didn’t want to be kept.

He lifted his head as his brother explained to their father, "Marco disarmed the bomb strapped to an innocent man's chest. Victor was in league with Sophia—they are both in custody. How are you, Father?"

Cameras took video of their every move. The world knew Renee belonged to him. He tightened his hold around her shoulders.

His mother took control of the public situation by addressing the crowd of cheering people. "King Leopoldo will make a full recovery."

Marco brought Renee into his inner circle of family, where she'd be safe.

His father, the king, motioned for the nurses to turn him toward the reporters. He then took Antonio's hand. "I will be standing at your wedding, son."

His mother’s keen gaze noticed how tightly he held Renee's hand. She turned fast and spoke for the family, united. "And be there for when the votes are tallied."

His mother then came beside Renee and winked at her. He had no idea what that was about. Renee scooted closer and stared at him.

Every part of him wanted to bring her to his room and show her how intensely he cared for her.

Renee blinked and asked, "Where's Greg?"

Something churned inside him, and he hated the feeling entirely. His hands brushed against her back, holding her. "He's talking to his mother, inside."

"Good. I was worried about him and his mother too." She swallowed and placed her head on his chest. "Marco, I was so scared for you. I didn't know what to do."

"I'm okay." He bit back mentioning what bothered him and instead held her in his arms. "Let's get back inside. I promised you a date tonight."

"I want to be with you. I don't care what we do." Renee glanced up at him. "But no more threats or violence."

"Fair enough." He walked with her into the palace, holding her hand. "Normally our castle doesn't see this much excitement. I think half of it is because you and Kristin are American. But I promise to get to the bottom of it."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To be alone." Tonight, he'd have servants set up the tower room that overlooked the river and village. The room was small, but they could picnic among the stars and be together. If she wanted to leave, he’d have to let her see everything she’d miss, including him.