Authors: Traci Hunter Abramson

Tags: #Royal Target, #lds, #LDS suspense, #hagardy, #deseret book, #mormon, #Betsy Brannon Green, #Fiction, #Romance, #secret, #covenant, #adventure, #clean, #Contemporary Romance, #Jennie Hansen, #Saint Squad

Royal Secrets (36 page)

“Don’t move!”

The archbishop ignored the guards, fighting with a single-mindedness that defied logic. He managed to grasp his weapon once more, swinging it toward the guards in a bold move. He squeezed the trigger, his shot forcing the guards to take cover at the entrance to the path. Then in an equally audacious gesture, he whirled back toward Stefano.

Stefano saw his intent and dove to the left. A single gunshot followed, the bullet tearing through the fleshy part of Stefano’s upper arm. He cried out in pain, the burning sensation overwhelming all of his senses.

At first he didn’t notice Alora move forward or that she was still wielding the tree branch. Then he looked up at the older man, expecting him to shoot again, but he saw that the archbishop’s attention and his weapon had shifted toward Alora. A split second before the archbishop managed to take aim, Alora swung the tree branch at him again, only this time, she let go and sent the length of wood flying through the air.

The archbishop ducked, narrowly avoiding being struck in the head. Ignoring the throbbing in his arm, Stefano took advantage of the distraction, tackling him around the waist and knocking him to the ground. Again, they grappled for control of the weapon, rolling around on the dirt as Stefano held Leone’s right arm to keep him from grabbing the gun.

Footsteps sounded again, and he heard a guard shout at Alora to stand clear.

“You’ll never beat me,” the archbishop panted. “I have nothing to lose.”

They were both up now, the gun still out of reach. Stefano elbowed Leone in the gut. He kept his gaze on the weapon, all the while praying that Alora was fleeing toward safety. He stepped backward, his heel catching on a protruding tree root. His loss of balance was enough for the archbishop to once again gain an advantage.

The archbishop pushed off of Stefano and managed to keep his footing as the prince tripped and fell to the ground. His eyes were dark with pure evil when he lifted the gun, his finger on the trigger.

Stefano scrambled backward, Alora screamed, and the guards opened fire. A heartbeat later, the archbishop dropped to the ground.

* * *

Stefano stood in the doorway of Giancarlo and Dante’s room, staring at the two boys now tucked safely into their beds. Giancarlo had been beyond brave when he had followed Stefano’s instructions. He had led his brother to safety, both of them taking refuge in the old tree house in the woods.

When he and Alora had found them, they were shaken and scared, but they were safe.

Stefano and Alora had carried them down the path to the stables before circling back to the chateau. The boys had been traumatized enough without having to see the archbishop’s body lying on the edge of the woods.

The paramedics had tried to convince Stefano to go to the hospital to get his wound treated, but he had refused to leave Alora’s side. Martino had indulged him by requesting that the local physician make a house call and treat him at the chateau. Four stitches and some bandages later, Stefano was able to turn his focus back to trying to help Giancarlo and Dante reclaim their sense of security.

Bedtime had been a long and drawn-out process tonight as one prayer had led to another, the boys struggling to understand the danger they had faced. Then Garrett had arrived and given the boys some kind of blessing. Alora explained that it was a way to help the boys find peace and comfort, that the ritual could only be performed by certain priesthood holders within her church.

Though he couldn’t claim to understand the ritual, the boys seemed to have found some solace and were now finally asleep.

Alora tucked the covers more tightly around Dante and then repeated the process with Giancarlo. With an audible sigh, she walked toward the door, where Stefano stood. Without a word, she slipped her hands around his waist and leaned into him.

“It’s okay now,” Stefano murmured, drawing her close. “It’s all over.”

“I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

She shifted, pulling back enough that she could see his face. “You saved my children today. You saved me.”

“I love your children,” Stefano said quietly. He drew a breath and added, “And I love you. The three of you are everything to me.”

Alora’s hands tightened on his back, and she looked up at him.

Stefano’s fingers trailed down through her hair, tangling in it as he searched for the right words. “I know you worry about our religious differences, but I love you, and I want you in my life. Please tell me we can build a future together. ” Before she could answer, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “You have my heart, Alora. If you walk away from me, away from us, you’ll do more than break my heart. You’ll shatter it.”

Her breath caught, and the truth of his words reflected in her eyes. Her hand lifted to rest on his chest as though to steady herself. “I keep praying about what I should do about my feelings for you, but I don’t seem to be getting any answers.”

“Maybe you aren’t asking the right questions.”

“Maybe you’re right.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I keep asking if I should walk away from you, but every time I do, you’re right there in front of me, and I know I want to be with you.”

“Surely God didn’t put us together only to ask us to stay apart,” Stefano said almost desperately.

She hesitated, her expression becoming more serious. “I keep wondering if you might ever open yourself up to the gospel the way your brother did. Then I have to remind myself that for you to ever truly discover the joy of the gospel, you’d have to do it for yourself, not for me.”

His eyes narrowed at that. “I want to learn more about your religion, to understand how God can answer personal prayers, but I don’t think my country is ready to have two princes walk away from the Meridian Church.”

“I know.” Sadness and regret hummed through her voice.

Impatience flowed through him. “Are you really going to let this stand between us? We can make a life together, Alora.” He waved impatiently around the room. “We already have.”

“All my life, the main thing my parents wanted for me was to grow up and be happy. Part of that happiness was to get married in the temple, to raise my children in the gospel.”

“You already did get married in the temple, and I would never get in the way of what you want for your children. If raising them Mormon is important to you, then it’s important to me.”

“What about any children we might have together?”

Stefano pulled out of her arms and crossed to the balcony. He looked out at the sea for a moment, staring into the darkness. Life seemed so simple here, but for him, there would always be complications. His voice was low when he turned back to face her and forced the words out. “There won’t be any.”

She followed him onto the balcony, her hair catching in the breeze. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t have children.” Stefano kept his eyes on hers. “The royal line will continue through Garrett’s children. Someday this country will have a Mormon prince. One day, his son will rule.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I have Merid’s syndrome,” Stefano said, almost choking on the words. “It’s a rare disease that has affected my family for generations.”

Concern flashed in her eyes. “Are there other problems? Does it cause you any pain?”

“No, nothing like that.” He shook his head, unexpectedly relieved by her selfless reaction. “Most of the symptoms are minor, some odd allergies and an occasional problem with balance. They’re so minor that until recently, I didn’t even realize they were connected. Unfortunately, the one symptom that is irreversible is infertility.”

“Stefano, I’m so sorry.”

He took her hands in his. “I know you will have to make a lot of sacrifices if you are to marry me. We wouldn’t be able to give Giancarlo and Dante brothers and sisters, at least not in the traditional sense. Your privacy will cease to exist in many areas of your life. And I know how concerned you’ve been about the idea of marrying outside of your religion.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

Nerves battled in his stomach. “I’m asking if the question would be a welcome one.”

Something changed in her countenance, as though she had suddenly found the peace she had been searching for, as though the answers to her prayers had finally been revealed. She offered him a tearful smile, her posture relaxing ever so slightly. “I think it would.”

He reached into his pocket, his fingers curling around the ring box nestled within the folds of fabric. He drew it out, his lips curving when he saw her eyes widen. “This is the ring my father gave my mother.” He flipped open the box to reveal the square cut emerald surrounded by diamonds. He pulled the ring free and took her hand. “I hope you’ll accept it. And me.”

She swallowed hard, her eyes lowering to her finger as Stefano slid the ring into place. Then she looked up at him and nodded. “Yes.” She reached up and pressed her lips to his. “Yes, I’ll have you.”

The weight of the last few days vanished, and he lifted her in his arms, despite the twinge of pain caused by his injury. He whirled her around as his lips covered hers. Then with a grin on his face, he set her down and said, “Let’s go tell the children.”

Humor shone from Alora’s eyes, but she shook her head. “If you wake them up, they’ll never get back to sleep tonight.”

Stefano glanced toward their room, remembering how long the boys had struggled to fall asleep. He pushed aside the little seed of disappointment and nodded. “You’re right.” He turned his gaze back to her. “Tonight we’re a couple.” He pressed his lips gently against hers. “But tomorrow, we’re a family.”

About the Author

Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson has spent most of her adult life living in Virginia. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written several novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy,
Royal Target
,
Obsession
, and the Saint Squad series.

When she’s not writing, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She also enjoys coaching the local high school swim team.

Other Books and Audio Books by Traci Hunter Abramson: