"Leo." His mother's voice was low and commanding.
"I will be fine, Mother. The doors are locked and we are secure. Marianna will take responsibility." He glanced over at her.
Marianna nodded. "Yes, of course. I will keep him safe."
His mother quirked an eyebrow.
"It's for the best," Leo said, hoping his mother would understand his meaning.
She sighed. "Fine. Back here in ten minutes."
He nodded and headed toward the open door.
"Don't forget the plan," his mother called after him.
Leo slipped into the hallway and took a deep breath. Attempting to push out the feeling of guilt he had built up inside of himself.
"Are you okay?" Marianna asked as she appeared in the doorway. She reached out and pressed her hand against his head.
Leo winced as her fingers brushed his cut.
She must have noticed because she pulled her hand instantly away. "I'm so sorry," she said.
Leo shook his head. "No worries. You didn't mean to."
Marianna took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "So, you want to walk?"
He nodded. "It was getting too stuffy in there."
"I get it. I about died when they brought me tartare. Blegh. Tasted like cat food."
Leo laughed as they started walking down the hall. Filippo was a few feet behind them. "You've eaten cat food before?"
Her lips parted as she glanced around. "Geez, aren't you Mr. Literal. No, I've never eaten cat food. But I've smelled it. And I can only imagine that raw meat mixed with spices probably tastes similar."
Leo laughed. The more he was getting to know Marianna, the more he liked her. "So, tartare is not your favorite."
She wrinkled her nose. "No."
"So what do you like?"
Her expression turned contemplative. "Where my parents live, there's this tiny shop that makes the best fish and chips ever. They catch the fish in the morning and serve it up in the afternoon. So fresh." She kissed her fingertips and brought them out. "So delicious."
Leo watched her. "That sounds amazing. You should take me sometime."
Marianna's playful smile turned serious. "You want me to take you?"
Was that the wrong thing to say? She had to know that once they were engaged, she was going to have to pretend, and that meant meeting her parents.
But, perhaps it was too overwhelming. So he gave her a calm smile. "Let's start from the beginning," he said as they entered one of the rooms where art hung from the walls.
Her shoulders seemed to relax, which he took as a good sign.
"Tell me about your family."
Her fingers played with the fabric of her dress as she stood in front of a mural. "My mom runs an antique shop and my dad is a plumber." He saw her peek over at him.
He studied her. Was she embarrassed by this? "They sound amazing," he said.
She snorted. "They're humble." And then her smile softened. "But I love them."
"Do they like what you do? Being a nurse?"
Marianna folded her arms and moved on to the next painting. "They love me and support me. I know they would rather I lived closer, but they know I love how fast-paced the city is." Then she dropped her voice. "Or used to love."
He glanced over at her, hoping her expression would tell him more. He parted his lips, but she moved on, out of ear shot.
"Sir, we should get back," Filippo said.
Leo jumped. He'd been so wrapped up in his conversation with Marianna, he'd completely forgotten about Filippo.
How was he going to pull this off with Filippo inches away at all times? Acting jumpy and nervous was the last thing he should be doing, so he turned and smiled at Filippo. "Why don't Marianna and I finish our walk, ending at the front windows where mother said the cameras are waiting. You run back and escort…" He purposefully dropped his expression. "What was her name?"
"Gisella?" Filippo offered.
"That's right, Gisella, to the intended spot where I will propose to her."
Filippo studied him. Leo could see the doubt in his gaze.
"Don't worry. I promise I will keep my eye on him." Marianna approached them, wrapping her hand around his arm. "Getting up and moving is good for him."
Filippo hesitated and then nodded. "Five minutes. Front windows."
Leo smiled, and Filippo turned and disappeared back to the room where the dinner was being held.
Leo glanced down at Mari’s hand resting on his arm. He couldn't help it when his heart picked up speed. Was it wrong that he liked when she touched him? She was different. Not like anyone he'd ever met.
"Thanks," he said, smiling down at her. It wasn't until he turned his face toward her that he realized just how close they were.
Marianna seemed to notice as well—she pulled back, breaking their contact. She rubbed her arms and nodded. "Anything I can do to help."
His arm felt cold in her absence, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he nodded and followed after her. Besides, with the way his heart was racing and his stomach lightened, he needed a moment to compose himself. He couldn't like the woman he was faking a marriage with. That was the one thing he had promised her he wouldn't do.
Chapter Five
Marianna followed after Leo as he led her to the designated spot. Her stomach was all twisted up. Why did the prince have to be so nice—and confident.
She felt like a fool for allowing her emotions to cloud her judgement.
In her entire relationship with Samson, he had never once asked her about her family or made sure she was okay the way Leo did. Was this what it was like to have a good guy around?
She swallowed, forcing down all of these ridiculous ideas. She was here to do a job and, dang it, she was going to do a good job.
Part of that job was faking this engagement to help Leo out of his situation. If she wanted to makes sure her heart was intact at the end of this arrangement, she needed to build a wall right now.
Leo DeLuca was off limits. Period.
Just as they rounded the corner and saw the large glass windows, the media who were milling around the sidewalk outside perked up. Marianna had to squint as flashes went off on the other side of the glass. Everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the prince.
Her heart pounded when she realized that they were taking photos of her too. Now her private life would be on display for the world to see. Those thoughts made her stomach twist. She prayed that she wouldn't throw up. Not in front of the cameras.
"You okay?" Leo asked. He'd stopped and Marianna hadn’t noticed how close he was to her until she heard his voice.
Glancing up, she saw that he was inches from her. Too scared of what her voice would sound like if she tried to speak, she just nodded.
He leaned closer, his lips inches from her ear. "You can back out right now if you want. I won't be angry. It's a lot, what I'm asking you to do."
His accent, mixed with his warm breath, sent shivers down her skin. It felt good to be needed like this. and there was no way she was going back to that hospital in the emotional state she was in.
Marianna smiled and waved to the cameras. "You promised me sandy beaches and a month-long vacation. You're not backing out on me, now are you?" She reached out and wrapped her arm around Leo's waist.
She could feel his low chuckle reverberate in his chest. "Nope. I'm committed."
"Good, so am I."
From the corner of her eye, she saw him glance down at her.
"Then get ready."
In a moment, he turned to face her and dropped down on one knee. Marianna heard a gasp. She glanced up to see Gisella walk into the foyer followed by his family.
"Will you marry me?" Leo asked.
Mrs. DeLuca's eyes bugged and her skin paled. Marianna could see her trying to process what was happening. The media on the other side were having a field day documenting this.
"Well?" Leo asked.
Marianna glanced down to see his earnest expressio
n. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in its size. The diamond was well over a carat. It was nestled in some intricate gold filigree. He slipped it onto her ring finger and then glanced back up.
"You need to answer," he whispered.
So she did the only thing she was sure of. She nodded. "Yes," she whispered.
He raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"
"Yes!" she shouted, hoping that everyone around them bought their lie.
And then Leo wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. The room felt as if it were spinning as he lowered his lips to hers. Suddenly, they were kissing.
Warmth spread from Marianna's lips, across her cheeks, and exploded throughout her body. Every point of contact heated from his touch. Her hands moved from his chest up to his shoulders and into his thick hair.
That seemed to be the response Leo wanted because he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. After a moment, a sob could be heard from across the room.
Leo pulled away first and glanced over. Dazed, Marianna stared at him.
Never, in all of her life, had kissing a guy felt like that. It must be his Italian heritage because it was exciting and spicy at the same time.
"What did you do?" a harsh whisper broke into her thoughts.
Marianna jumped back and turned to see Mrs. DeLuca standing behind them. She had on a sweet smile and was nodding toward the cameras, but the tone of her voice told Marianna she was angry.
Leo put on his best confused expression. "What do you mean?"
Her eyes widened as she whipped her gaze from Marianna to Leo. "You proposed to the wrong girl."
Leo coughed and sputtered. Man, he was good. "I did what?"
Mrs. DeLuca waved to a few of the reporters. It amazed Marianna that she could look so sweet but sound so upset. "Was this a joke?"
Leo rubbed his temples. Marianna wondered if she should try to help. But that might throw Leo off his game, so she just remained quiet. "Mom, I don't know what you are talking about. I proposed. That was what I was supposed to do."
Marianna felt Mrs. DeLuca’s hand on her arm and a gentle tug, indicating that she should follow. "We are going to clear this up."
Fifteen minutes later, Mr. DeLuca, Mrs. DeLuca, Leo, Filippo, a few more people Marianna didn't know, Gisella, and Marianna all sat in the living room of Leo's suite. Some were talking in hushed tones. Others—Gisella, primarily—were sobbing.
Marianna was beginning to feel bad. Was it so terrible that he had proposed to her? From everyone's reaction, it was.
"I just don't understand why he would do this," Mrs. DeLuca said, her voice rising up over the other chatter. Everyone fell silent and turned to see her pace back and forth.
A man in a dark suit with glasses was standing a few feet away from her. He had an iPad in his hand and kept scrolling on the screen. "Your Highness, it's blown up. Every magazine is covering this. The YouTube video already has over a million hits."
Mrs. DeLuca's face paled. "What are we going to do, Horace? How do we fix this?"
Horace shook his head. "I'm not sure we can."
Mr. DeLuca, who was standing in the back, straightened and joined the conversation. "Can't we just say that it was a mistake?"
Horace sucked in his breath through his teeth. "Then we would have to admit that the prince is currently not in his right mind since the accident. That might have more political repercussions then allowing the engagement to continue until his memory of Gisella comes back. Perhaps, it's best to go along with the prince's assumptions and allow time to pass."
Mrs. DeLuca whimpered and fanned herself with her hand.
Marianna let her gaze slip over to Gisella, who was watching them talk. She looked as angry as a cat in water.
"Ms. Marasco, you understand, right?" Mrs. DeLuca made her way over to the couch and sat next to Gisella. She grabbed the young woman’s hand and rested it in her own.
Gisella widened her eyes. "Understand?" Her voice came out forced, as if she were trying to tamp down her anger. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she looked calmer. "Of course, Your Highness. Anything to help Leo heal." Her smile turned sweet. Too sweet.
Mrs. DeLuca patted her hand and then turned to the other inhabitants. "Perhaps it is best if we get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, things will look different. We did what we came here to do. We let potential tourists to Caro know of the impending wedding. Hopefully, things will pick up." She stood and made her way to the door.
Everyone began to follow her out. Marianna stood and joined the procession.
"Can you wait, Marianna? I would like to talk to you." Leo's voice was followed by his hand wrapping around hers, halting her.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach. Why did it feel so right when he touched her? Had she gone mad? His kiss must have some powerful magic because one minute, she was strong and could defend herself against him, but now that they had kissed, her emotions were all out of sorts.
Thankfully, Mrs. DeLuca was talking to Gisella, and everyone else was too busy talking to each other to notice that Marianna hung back. Soon the room was cleared of everyone but Filippo.
Leo glanced over to him. "Privacy?" he asked.
Filippo hesitated but then nodded. "Of course. I'll be in my room."
Leo smiled as Filippo disappeared behind his door.
Marianna became very aware of how alone they were. Anything could happen. Heat permeated her cheeks at that thought.
Leo let out a breath as he collapsed on the couch. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Not sure what to do, Marianna sat on the same couch, leaving a few feet between them.
"Do you think it worked?" Leo asked.
Marianna studied her hands. "I think so. They definitely believe that you are not in your right mind." Those words stung a bit. Like, the only reason a person would propose to her was because they'd gone insane. It didn't do much for her self-esteem.
He opened his eyes and glanced over at her. "Good. That's what I wanted. Hopefully, this buys me some time." He sighed and straightened, rubbing his hands on his thighs. "Where are you staying?"
She swallowed. She definitely wasn’t staying here. "Um, I was going to head back to my apartment."
Leo studied her and then shook his head. "Is that a good idea? I mean, things are going to start moving pretty fast for us. I'm sure there will be more things to do tomorrow as we prepare to leave for Caro."
Marianna swallowed. It hadn't been until right now that she realized just what she'd agreed to. A month-long trip with a prince. Was she crazy? This wasn't her—at all. "It's okay. I have to get my dishes done and pack. I'll be back in the morning."
Leo studied her. "Okay. Go enjoy your last night here. Tomorrow, everything starts."
Marianna nodded as she stood and headed toward the front door. "I'll be back in the morning." She didn't wait for him to respond. Instead, she shut the door behind her and headed toward the elevator.
Twenty minutes later, she slipped out of her dress and crawled into bed. The weight of what was about to happen rested around her. She was going to have to fake a relationship with the prince. What had she done? She couldn't even keep a guy that sort-of liked her around. What would it say about her if she messed up a fake one?
Before she let herself delve into those thoughts, she closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep. She’d worry about this tomorrow.
Marianna woke up the next morning to her phone ringing. She groaned and reached out, grabbing it. The screen lit up against the darkness.
Mom.
Worry flitted around in her mind. She pressed talk and brought the phone up to her ear.
"Hey, Mom. Dad okay?"
"Mari? Is that you? What's going on? Why is it that we find out through the internet that you are engaged?"
"Susan, ask her if it's true." Marianna heard her father in the background.
"Ted, that's what I'm doing."
<
br /> "Mom, I'm sorry. It happened so fast last night, and I was so tired. I was definitely not trying to keep you out of the loop."
Her mom sniffled on the other end. "Are you embarrassed by us? Don't think we are good enough to meet a king and queen?"
Marianna's heart hurt. That was definitely not the case. "No, Mom. It's not like that at all. I was going to call you this morning to tell you."
Her mom grew quiet. "You were?"
"Of course," Marianna said as she sat up and pulled the covers off. "You were going to be the first to know. It's just that cameras were there and it happened so fast."
"Are you…pregnant?"
Great. Her parents thought this was a shotgun wedding. "What? No. Of course not. It's just…" How much could she tell them? The truth was probably the best bet. Well, part of the truth. "The prince came into the hospital a day ago with a head injury. He's struggling with remembering certain things. I guess he thought that I was the person he was supposed to propose to. Instead of shocking him into remembering, they asked if I would go along with it." She hesitated. Hopefully, that would be enough to appease them.
"Oh, that poor man. Of course. That makes sense. Well, good for you honey."
Marianna pinched her lips together. That made sense? Like a prince wouldn't want to marry her? And then she scolded herself. This was a fake marriage. What did it matter if people couldn't see the two of them together? They weren't.
"Thanks, Mom."
"So, when are you bringing him around so we can meet him. You know, everyone at church will be asking us. If you're supposed to go along with it, then it only makes sense for you to visit us. You know, so we can validate your story."
Marianna stood and made her way into the kitchen. "I'll ask, but I can't promise anything."
"Is she coming?" Marianna heard her dad ask.
"She can't promise anything," her mom responded.
Marianna glanced at the clock, and her heat picked up speed. It was already eight. She needed to call the hospital to put in her notice and get to the hotel by nine.
Marrying a Prince Page 4