Antonio’s forehead beaded with sweat as he watched Greg sit on the chair—the bombs were not visible beneath Greg’s wife-beater.

Marco spoke with Greg while Antonio ensured the room was clear of people, then gave Marco the signal that everyone was gone. Now that it was just the three of them Marco had to disarm the bomb.

Kristin had whispered she loved him.

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

Antonio's jaw clenched. 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 that looked like a pen. He stopped and pointed. "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 ugly clothes."

Antonio tried to keep Greg calm while Marco worked overtime to find a way to ensure that bomb didn't go off. "We'll get you back there, Greg."

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

A loud bang echoed as the door opened with such force it hit the wall and was then followed with heavy footsteps. Now what? Antonio turned, expecting to see Babik, but Victor Amadeus walked into the room with a semi-automatic gun.

Antonio flexed, eager to face the threat against his family and win. "Keep working, Marco. I'll handle this."

Victor snorted with derision. "I'm sorry, I can't let you do that."

Antonio straightened to meet the man who wanted to steal his throne, his legacy, from him. If he died tonight, then he died knowing Kristin and his parents were safe—he’d take Victor down with him. In that second he understood Greg's tears—not for himself but for a loved one. Antonio never blinked. He crossed his arms. "Victor, put the gun down."

Victor came closer. "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."

Antonio inched closer. If he had a chance to rush him for the gun then they all had hope. He kept his words steady and his forward movement unnoticed. "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."

Antonio put his hands up but took another step forward. He was closer. "Now, that's a stretch.” His dad hadn’t bribed anyone. “Either way, you’ve lost. Even if you manage to kill all of us, my brother Lucio is in the FBI—so someone in my family survives to take over the throne." One more step and he could tackle him. "You gain nothing from any of this."

Victor pointed the gun at Antonio’s face. "I get to watch you and your brother die and know I finally stopped you."

He had one chance. He lowered his head like he was scared and asked, "Stopped us? From what?"

"From having what you don't deserve," Victor said. Antonio jumped forward and punched him square in the nose. Victor rocked backward, off balance. Antonio reached for the gun and struggled to get it out of Victor’s hands, peeling back Victor’s thumb to get the man to release his desperate grip.

As Antonio threw the weapon on the floor, he hit Victor again. "That's it. This is over."

"Not quite." Victor pulled out a small device that must trigger the bomb.

“Don’t!” Greg yelled, his tan face paling.

Marco called out, "It's clear."

Antonio's heart raced. Could he trust that Marco had really fixed it? He clawed at Victor's arm in an effort to get the trigger and they both wrestled onto the ground.

A shadow loomed behind them both and then someone else punched Victor in the back of the head. He sprawled, unconscious.

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

He assisted Antonio up. Antonio wiped his hands on his pants and then patted Greg on the shoulder. "Thanks."

A second later, the ricochet of the bomb exploding knocked them all on their feet. Antonio flipped over on his stomach. Where was Marco?

The debris cleared the room and it seemed like all four walls still existed.

Marco then called out from the patio, "Is everyone okay?"

"What happened?" Antonio stood up again. This time he helped Greg.

Victor was still out cold.

Marco pointed to the balcony. "I threw it into the river, away from the village and the castle."

“Quick thinking.” Hopefully Kristin, his mom and everyone else was safe in one of the other towers. Antonio glanced around the room for something that might be used as rope to tie Victor, but then settled on his belt. He knelt next to Victor and looked up at his baby brother. "Want to call Babik?"

Marco nodded and took out his phone. He spoke to the guards and then hung up. He knelt next to Antonio and adjusted the tightness of the leather around Victor’s hands. "I knew Victor was jealous but I had no idea it went this deep."

Neither had he. He thought Victor and Sophia were just hangers-on-socialites who never went home. Until recently Sophia had only ever tried to kiss him, and scare off other women. He shook his head and thought of Kristin. "He and Sophia cooked up this scheme. The vote and my wedding made them desperate, but I have no idea why Lucio suspected them for a year."

"I'm glad you found Kristin," Marco said. “And Lucio suspects everyone and trusts no one.”

“True.” Kristin’s smile made him ache to be with her. "I should go find Kristin now."

The march of the guards echoed in the hall. Antonio stood and saw General Babik, who seriously needed a medal of honor. "Babik! Arrest this man." He gestured at Victor.

Babik answered, "Yes, Sire."

Marco spoke to Greg, who paled as Antonio approached.

“I-”

“I get it, you didn’t do it.” Antonio understood Greg wasn't in league with Victor and Sophia, and he’d been used against his will. He nodded at him. "Let's go find the others. They must be terrified."

Greg asked, "Is there a phone so I can talk to my mom again? She’s probably sick, thinking I’d died already."

"Sure." Antonio dialed Lucio while Marco walked beside them through the halls. Antonio quickly told Lucio to get Greg's mom back on the line. Once she was on the phone, he guided Greg into the library and handed him the phone. "Talk as long as you want. We'll come back here and meet you."

"I owe you an apology, Antonio," Marco told him once they closed the library door and walked outside to meet their parents.

"Yeah?" Antonio's eyebrows arched as the doors opened for the two of them and cheers echoed from the villagers who gathered at the gate.

The jubilant cries were better than New Year’s celebrations.

Antonio searched the clustered group for Kristin, and found her in a white wedding gown that had his pulse hammering—her curves, her long curls tumbling over her shoulder, her skin as delicate and pale as the satin.

She stood next to his fierce mother and frail father, who dozed in a wheel chair with a blanket over his lap, but at least he was alive. Marco slapped his shoulder and said, "Perhaps your computer search wasn't all wrong."

Antonio broke the spell of Kristin for one second and saw his brother stare at her friend. "You and Renee are... cozy."

Marco’s throat turned red. "She's sweet and determined to head home. I'm going to try and see her after your wedding."

Antonio wrapped his arms around Kristin and the rest of the world stopped mattering. He kissed her forehead and let her rose smell wash through him. "Kristin."

She hugged him tight. "Thank God." She unwrapped one arm and placed her hand on his face as if she checked for bruises. "I was so worried."

"We're safe." He met his mother's insistent gaze. He followed her look and tapped Kristin's shoulder.

She turned around and her mouth opened. Marco and Renee were locked in an embrace. She said, "They're kissing."

"Who cares?" He fixed her hair out of her eyes. Then he leaned forward and claimed exactly what he wanted.

Kristin's kiss was worth everything.

His entire body grew hard though they were outside and a crowd cheered. He ended the kiss, but kept her tucked under his shoulder.

His father's raspy voice was solemn and everyone went quiet as he spoke, now awake and alert. "Son, what happened?"

"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?" He knew the cameras watching were on his father and mother, so he took his place as the dutiful son beside them.

His mother announced, "King Leopoldo will make a full recovery."

"That's good to hear," Marco added from behind him.

His father held his head high and stared at Kristin. "I will be standing at your wedding, son."

His mother spoke to the reporters like the pro she was. "And be there for when the votes are tallied."

"The cheering crowd empowering you to get better, Father?" Antonio asked, pressing his hands on both arms of the wheelchair. Kristin stayed next to him.

His father then told him, and reporters, "Your mother is a good woman. She's the best reason to keep on living."

A loud sigh erupted from the onlookers. Antonio took Kristin's hand and led her to stand in front. "Father, I'd like for you to formally meet Kristin Wells. This is my bride."

His mother than came beside Kristin and tugged on the wedding dress she still wore from the interrupted fitting and said with a smirk on her face. "As I told you son, Americans under or overdress for everything. I hope your Kristin is ready for my help."

Oh no—the last thing he needed was for Kristin to feel insulted. "Mother..."

"I'm joking." Queen Anna Camilla smiled and stroked Kristin's arm.

Kristin took the queen’s hand in hers. "I hope you aren't. I need all the help I can get."

Finally he could breathe. His family was safe. Kristin was not in any danger and they had a genuine chance to be happy. But first he needed to speak to her, just the two of them. His heart beat as he remembered her words of love. He prayed those weren't an in-the-moment declaration and that she truly meant what she said.

If she did, he'd have everything in the world. And he could accept being a future king with Kristin at his side.