Leo scoffed as he lifted his mug. He hadn't expected Filippo to be so direct, and it made Leo forgot about the scorching liquid, dumping all of it to the back of his mouth. After he downed a cold bottle of water, Leo looked over at Filippo, who was watching him with an incredulous look.
That was probably not the smoothest thing he could have done. Especially since he was trying to play it cool. "I don't know what you are talking about," Leo rasped.
Filippo sighed and stood up from the couch. He made his way over until he was a few feet away from Leo. "It's okay, sir. I'm not going to tell anyone." His forehead crinkled as if he couldn't believe what he was about to say. "I'm here to support you. You understand that, right?"
Leo studied his friend. He knew Filippo was loyal, but he also knew his friend had sworn allegiance to his country. Leo was pretty certain helping the prince get out of being king went against that vow.
"But, what about the country?"
Filippo folded his arms. "Gisella is not right for my country. So, I am helping both of you at the same time."
Leo's stomach lightened at Filippo's words. It felt good to have someone else to go through this with, especially with Marianna being upset with him.
After fifteen minutes, Filippo was up to speed about what had happened and what the plan was now. He promised to help in any way he could.
The rest of the morning flew by as Marianna and Gisella woke up and got ready. By the time they both left their rooms, the limo had arrived to take them to the airport.
Leo had hoped to get Marianna alone to explain himself, but she insisted on riding up front with the chauffeur. Gisella piped up that it was probably for the best and almost dragged him to the back door where she stuffed him into the limo.
Leo had to ride the whole way to the hangar that held the family's plane with Gisella practically draped over his lap. Filippo didn't say much, which Leo was grateful for. He didn't need Filippo's help; if anything, it might tip off Gisella that something really was up, and then she'd make it her life mission to bring Marianna down.
His parents were already on the plane when they climbed up the stairs and got situated. Leo tried to catch Marianna again, but she brushed past him and sat in the far back corner.
Leo's mother grabbed his arm and motioned toward the seat across from her, stating that they needed to discuss the plan for when they got home. Leo had to settle for a quick glance in Marianna's direction before he was forced headfirst into discussing whatever party his mother insisted they talk about.
When the plane was in the air and things had calmed down, Leo took that moment to get up and make his way to the bathroom, which was, luckily, right next to where Marianna was sitting. As he approached, Marianna didn't look up and his heart sank. Instead, she kept her gaze focused on the magazine in front of her.
He went into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed his face. After patting it dry, he stared at himself. What was he doing? Why was he forcing this so hard? Marianna was being smart. She was playing the part of a nurse who got swept up in the crazy scheme of a prince with amnesia. Why was he so hell-bent on making her like him?
That's not what someone with amnesia would do. Or was it? Perhaps, it was time he admitted to himself that he had no real game plan. He was flying by the seat of his pants. And Marianna might be the one to get hurt in the process.
His chest squeezed at the thought of Marianna hurting. It was the last thing he wanted, and yet, it was the only thing he seemed to be doing.
He pulled open the bathroom door and peeked out. Most of the passengers were reading or sleeping. Taking this moment, he reached around the divider and grabbed Marianna's arm. She yelped and turned to look up at him.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
He widened his eyes. There was no way he was going to let her push him away. There had been moments between them. Moments when they had confessed things about themselves. He may not be allowed to have romantic feelings for her, but they could still be friends.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked.
She stared at him and then sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt and standing. She glanced around and must have felt that the coast was clear because she turned to face him "What?"
He shook his head. "Not out here." He reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled her into the bathroom with him.
It was small and cramped, and he couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of her so close to him again. When she widened her eyes, taking in the space between their bodies, he smiled. He knew she felt more for him than she was letting on. It felt good to see that he wasn't the only one affected by their relationship.
And then he scolded himself. That was not what a friend thought about another friend. If he truly cared about her, he wouldn't revel in the thought that she liked him. Especially since he knew they could never be anything.
So he forced the feelings from his heart and stared down at her.
She tried to place her hands on her hips, but there wasn't any room, so she settled on folding her arms. "What do you need, Leo?"
"I've been trying to talk to you all day."
She sighed, bringing up a hand to brush a strand of hair away. "Why?"
He studied her. Why was she acting so coy? Was she serious? "Because of what you thought was happening in my room last night."
"I don't know—"
"With Gisella."
She hesitated and glanced up at him. "Okay."
"I wanted you to know that she wasn't there because of me. Mother insisted she stay with me. I think she's hoping I'll remember who Gisella is and then call everything off with you."
Marianna's cheeks hinted pink as she studied him. There was a pain in her gaze that made his heart swell. Did those words hurt her? He studied her. Was it wrong that his heart picked up speed at the thought?
But before he could interpret her reaction, she sighed and glanced around. "That makes sense. It's best to keep those you have a history with around you. At least, that's what I would do." She met his gaze. "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
There were tiny gold flecks amidst the blue of her eyes. Leo couldn't help but focus on how beautiful she looked, all irritated and annoyed, peering up at him. She was inches away from him. Inches away from his lips. How easy it would be to dip down and kiss her again.
"Leo?" she raised her eyebrows.
Snapping back to reality, Leo blinked and pulled back—well, as far back as he could in the tiny airplane bathroom. "What did you say?" This time, he was going to focus on her words.
She studied him, narrowing an eye. "I said, is that what you wanted to tell me?"
He nodded. Was it? His chest felt like it was squeezing his lungs. But there was no way he was going to say the words that were floating around in his mind—that he liked her, more than their agreement allowed. So he smiled and reached for the door handle.
"Of course. I just wanted to clear the air. I wanted you to know…" His voice trailed off. Was what he was about to say true?
She raised her eyebrows. When he didn't continue, she said, "Know what?"
He reached up, brushing his knuckles across her cheek. It had been instinctual, and he didn't notice he was doing it until he felt her warm, soft skin against his own and the desire to feel her lips pressed against his filled his mind.
Her lips parted as if they were sharing the same thought. Could she want it as much as he did? Was their close proximity doing the same things to her? His heart pounded so hard that he heard it in his ears. But it didn't drown out the fear that crept up inside of him. The fear that he would hurt her and, in turn, hurt himself.
"Know what?" she asked again, as if she were prodding him for information. Did she want him to say what he saw in her gaze?
Pushing his feelings to the side, he smiled. "That I'm not Samson. I won't hurt you."
She winced, and he realized that was not what he should have said. But saying the things she wanted to hear wasn't an option either. So he winked
at her and pulled open the bathroom door.
"I'll help you get over him so you can start your life fresh," he whispered as he walked past her and back over to his seat. Once he was buckled in, he leaned his head back on the headrest.
His mother opened her eyes and glanced over at him. "What was that about?"
He swallowed, realizing just how deep he'd gotten himself into this situation. But, there was nothing he could do about it right now. They had a mission and he was going to accomplish it. He was going to keep Marianna at a distance to keep her safe and keep his promise to her that he wasn't going to be like Samson. And then he was going to set her up nicely. She was never going to want for anything.
He'd make sure of it before he lost his inheritance. Because that was what Marianna deserved. Well, she deserved more, but Leo was pretty sure he wasn't included in that.
Chapter Eleven
Marianna sat in the helicopter, gripping onto the armrests of her seat. She'd never been in a helicopter before, and she didn't like it. It felt like being in the car of a rollercoaster—which she also hated.
Plus, it didn't help that the conversation between her and Leo was playing in her mind over and over again. The feeling of him next to her. Touching her. Flirting with her.
All of it was cemented in her mind and wouldn't leave. And to top it off, her heart was betraying her. It pounded at the memory of his ridiculous smile or the way he winked when he was uncomfortable. She stared out at the setting sun, watching its light glide across the water. Caro bordered Italy and Slovenia. A small sliver that ran from Austria to the Mediterranean Sea.
The castle was on a hill that overlooked the ocean. Just beyond it was Trieste, Caro's largest city. Marianna had studied it as they passed by. It was beautiful with the different color buildings and rustic pavement. She couldn't wait to get down and see all that this beautiful country had to offer.
And perhaps, get away from Caro's confusing prince. That was on the top of her list.
The pilot set down on the helicopter pad in the back gardens, where a host of maids were standing, waiting to welcome the royal family. Marianna had never felt so out of place as she did walking alongside these women who were speaking a language she didn't recognize. They grabbed her luggage and whisked her into the castle.
Once in her room, she tried to keep her jaw from dropping. Dark wood ran the length of the floor and up the walls, ending in intricate carvings. She couldn't help but run her fingers across the filigree. Beautiful.
There was a huge chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling, catching the late afternoon rays and spreading them around the room. A king-sized four-poster bed sat along the far wall. A mound of pillows filled half of it.
"Are you okay, miss?" Adelina asked, stepping into Marianna's line of sight.
Thankfully, Adelina had been assigned as Marianna's maid. It made her feel more comfortable having someone she knew close by.
"Y-yes," Marianna stammered, snapping her jaw shut and nodding.
"Good. I will help you dress in proper attire so you will be ready for dinner."
Marianna glanced down at her outfit. A pencil skirt and blouse. What was wrong with what she was wearing? "I—um, what's wrong with this?"
Adelina snorted, and then her cheeks turned red. "Forgive me. I've forgotten my place. You look wonderful," she said, lowering her head and curtseying.
That wouldn’t do. Marianna reached out and touched Adelina's arm. "Nope. Not happening, sister," she said.
Adelina jumped as she glanced up at Marianna. "I'm sorry?"
Hmm, Adelina might not be up to date on her American lingo. "What I meant to say was, you're my friend, not my servant. You don't need to apologize if you speak the truth." Marianna lowered her voice and leaned forward. "I actually need your help. I think Her Majesty might hate me, and I know Gisella does. This girl needs some people in her corner." Marianna jutted her thumb toward her chest.
Adelina had looked like she was understanding what Marianna was saying, but by the time she was finished, Adelina looked confused again. "There is something wrong with the corner?" Adelina turned to peer into the shadows.
Marianna sighed. This was going to be a long vacation. She was going to have to remember to speak in literal terms. "I want you to be my friend. Support me."
Adelina pinched her lips together as she studied Marianna.
Suddenly, Marianna wondered if this was the wrong thing for her to say. Was it against the law to ask the hired help to be your friend? Wishing she could backpedal, Marianna parted her lips, but thankfully, Adelina smiled.
"I would like that very much," she said.
Marianna blew out the breath she had been holding. "Perfect."
Adelina walked over to the large armoire and pulled it open. After removing a dark green, mid-calf dress, she laid it on the bed. "Let's get dressed and downstairs. Her Majesty hates latecomers."
Marianna nodded and walked over to the bed. "Yeah, we wouldn't want that."
Ten minutes later, Marianna shut her bedroom door and made her way to the top of the stairs. She tugged at the dress, hoping it would feel more like her. It didn't help.
There were so many rules and expectations. Her brain felt as if it were going to explode from everything Adelina told her.
"You must always wear pantyhose. Never put your elbows on the table. You use the silverware from the outside in."
Marianna was pretty sure that she was going to pass out when she came face to face with the etiquette of eating with a royal family.
She reached up and adjusted a bobby pin that was digging into her scalp. Even her hair didn't look like her. A French twist with ringlets framing her face? She was a ponytail kind of girl.
"Whoa," Leo's deep voice said from behind her.
She turned to see him dressed in a tux with a royal-blue sash around his chest. His dark curly hair had been tamed, and his face shaved. He looked like a prince, but she could still see the desire to be somewhere else in his eyes.
He quirked an eyebrow as his gaze roamed over her. Was it wrong that she wanted him to like how she looked—to approve?
"You look—"
Her breath caught in her throat.
"—like my mom."
Her excitement crashed and burned. That was not what she wanted to hear. She tried to hide her disappointment with a smile. "What? I do not."
He stepped closer to her and furrowed his brow. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure you are wearing her dress, and Adelina has been with my mom for ages." He leaned closer to Marianna. "Just accept it."
Marianna dropped her jaw and stepped back. There was no way she was just going to stand there and let him insult her like that. "I'll have you know—"
Leo lifted his finger and pressed it to her lips. "You didn't let me finish." He let his hand linger by her mouth, focusing his attention there for a moment before he shook his head and met her gaze. "With a few modifications, we can fix that."
"I—" But he wasn't listening to her. Instead, he reached behind her head and began pulling the pins out.
After enough were removed, gravity won over and her hair dropped down around her shoulders. Leo glanced back at her and smiled.
"There," he said. His voice was low and husky.
She so desperately wanted to ask him what that was about. Was it possible that he felt the same as she did? Did he want to kiss her as badly as she wanted to press her lips to his?
"Better?" She barely got the word out.
He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he nodded. "Beautiful." He leaned in, brushing her hair off her shoulder. "Don't let them change you. You're perfect the way you are," he whispered.
Shivers rushed over her as his warm breath touched her skin. He was so close that she feared he could hear her pounding heart. Did it give her away?
"Sir," Filippo said.
Marianna turned to see him coming up the stairs. His eyebrows were raised as his gaze landed on them.
Leo pulled ba
ck, but not before Marianna thought she heard him groan. That started her mind racing. Was he just flirting, or was it something more? Did she dare hope?
"What, Filippo?" he asked, glancing over to his bodyguard.
"Your mother sent for you. It seems there are a few dignitaries that were invited tonight." Then Filippo dropped his voice. "Mr. Marasco."
Marianna saw Leo stiffen at the mention of Gisella's last name. This couldn't be good. Out of instinct, Marianna leaned forward. "Is this bad?"
Leo shook his head. "No. Not if we stick to the story." He glanced over at her, his rich, dark eyes intoxicating her.
Suddenly, all she wanted to do was keep him safe. And if keeping him safe meant keeping him away from Gisella, then so be it. After all, that was why she was here.
She pinched her lips together and nodded. "What do you need from me?"
His gaze slipped down to her lips for a moment and then back up. "It would probably be best if you didn't talk much. Just smile and keep the topic light." He sighed. "There probably won't be much talking anyway. There never is."
She nodded. "I can do that."
The feeling of his hand surrounding her arm startled her. The warmth of his fingertips seeped into her skin and caused her stomach to lighten. It felt so good to be touched by him. She never wanted him to let her go.
"Thanks, Mari," he said, leaning in and kissing her cheek. "I mean it."
She turned to look at him, but he'd already glanced over to Filippo. Before she could say anything, he dropped his hand and made his way down the stairs with Filippo in tow.
She leaned against the railing, grateful that it was so close. With the way her body was reacting to Leo, she was sure she would collapse without something to hold her up. She took in a few deep breaths.
What was the matter with her? How come she kept forgetting, over and over again that this was all fake? The prince didn't like her anymore than he liked Adelina or another other person he hired to do a job.
And that was all Marianna was here to do. A job. She would help him pass the crown over to his cousin, without disappointing his parents too much, and then watch him ride off into the sunset, leaving her to go back to the States. Alone.
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