Dare Me

by Tara Wylde

  He gets to the part about Emilio and his eyes light up. My cousin is made of the right stuff, a man of honor and breeding, who graduated from Oxford with honors and didn’t coast through on his name.

  And a man who disappears on his cousin as soon as his mother starts scheming. I haven’t talked to Emilio since before the photos leaked. For that matter, even Huber and I have never spoken face-to face.

  I think of Ike’s “face-to-fist” and have to bite back a laugh.

  Huber finishes his remarks and Ricci tells the audience the format of the debate: Ricci himself will ask the questions, Huber and I will have a minute each to answer. As if a minute can sum up the fate of a nation.

  Ricci takes his place at the table as the cameras move into position on myself and Huber. A minute later, the red lights come on.

  I take a deep breath. It’s show time.

  Chapter 99

  54. AMANDA

  “We’re getting slaughtered.”

  Maria’s voice is stoic, but her eyes are another story. For the first time ever, I can see the shimmer of tears in them.

  Beside me, Carlo’s shoulders stoop in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s like someone has cut the strings off a marionette and it’s trying to stand on its own. On my other side, Dad’s eyes are boiling. He’s keeping his mouth shut, but I can feel the anger emanating from him in waves. His big fists clench and unclench, over and over.

  Every question from Ricci is carefully designed to make Dante look like a fool, or a womanizer, or an asshole. It’s like the old joke about journalists asking the politician if he’s stopped beating his wife: if he says no, he’s still beating his wife. If he says yes, he’s admitting he beat his wife.

  And, like the joke, this debate isn’t funny. It’s frustrating and infuriating. Worst of all, it’s heartbreaking.

  I can practically see Dante’s fear of losing the children on his face as each question hits him like a boxer’s blow. I feel each one with him.

  “I don’t know if there’s any coming back from this,” Maria says quietly.

  “There is if I can get those two bastards alone in the alley,” Dad growls.

  “Gentlemen,” Ricci says, holding up a hand. “We’ve come to the end of the question portion of this morning’s debate. I and the Morovan people thank you for your answers.”

  Dante’s still keeping his cool, but I can see the emotion in his eyes. I can’t imagine what’s going through his head right now. Dad’s line about taking Ricci and Huber into the alley is right on the money – this wasn’t a fair fight.

  “We will now wrap up the proceedings with a final statement from each of our participants,” Ricci says with a smug grin. “Chancellor Huber, you have the floor.”

  Huber turns to face the camera directly. He looks like a school principal about to lecture a group of rowdy students.

  “People of Morova,” he says. “The choice you must make today is clear. You all saw the photographs. You’ve read the scandals. You know the solution.”

  He leaves his podium and walks towards the camera.

  “The question before you is, I believe, simple: do you believe that the royal marriage is real? Or is it a lie created to block this council’s duty to remove a monarch for not fulfilling his duties?

  “I believe it’s the height of arrogance for the prince to believe that we, the people, are foolish enough to believe that he could have fallen in love in the space of a few weeks. With an American commoner, no less.”

  I feel Dad tense up beside me.

  “We’ve already seen that money has changed hands. Are we expected to believe that Dante, a noble with centuries of royal breeding, and access to one of the world’s most vast fortunes, would marry such a woman?”

  I put a pre-emptive hand on Dad’s arm to keep him from moving. Huber will never know it, but I just saved his life. I see similar flashes of anger on Maria and Carlo’s faces as well.

  Then I hear Dante’s voice come across the sound system.

  “Such a woman,” he says quietly.

  Ricci frowns. “Your highness will refrain from speaking during the chancellor’s closing remarks.”

  “Shut up, Lorenzo,” Dante says mildly. “You’re not talking to your wife. Or your mistress in Sorrento.”

  Ricci’s face turns ghostly white as Dante ambles over to stand beside Huber. He obviously struck a nerve with everyone’s favorite host.

  My heart is racing. What’s Dante doing? Whatever it is, Huber is sputtering like crazy.

  “Such a woman,” Dante says again. “It’s funny that you say that, Julian, since you’ve never actually spoken to her face-to-face. You’ve made all sorts of accusations and innuendoes against her, but you don’t actually know her.”

  All eyes are on Dante now. You could hear a pin drop.

  “All the debate we just went through was smoke and mirrors. Sure, I could go on and on about how you’re trying to get your hands on the Trentini fortune, and that Emilio is just a puppet for your government. But that’s not what this is about. Not really.

  “This is about Amanda Sparks. It’s about a prince who had the audacity to fall in love with an American cowgirl whose father spent his wife’s life insurance to send his daughter to community college instead of Oxford. A woman who grew up taking care of cattle with her own two hands and riding horses in barrel races, instead of hosting garden parties and betting on thoroughbreds at Royal Ascot.”

  Dante finds me in the audience and locks his gaze on mine.

  “A woman who had the nerve to invite common people to her wedding reception so they could share in our joy. Who welcomed my beloved Oriana and Vito into her heart with a generosity I’ve never seen in all my years in the royal court. Who showed me what it means to be honest and loyal and real.”

  Tears spill onto my cheeks as all the doubt that’s been eating at me for so long finally fades. I don’t even care that we’re surrounded by strangers.

  “So fire everything you’ve got at me, Julian,” he says, turning to face the chancellor with a look that could freeze lava. “I’m the one on trial here. But when you feel like talking about the woman I love, I advise you to shut your fat, arrogant mouth before I drive my fist into it.”

  The foyer seems to hold its breath for a stunned moment. Then my father’s voice rings out.

  “You tell that fucker, kid!” he bellows.

  The outburst is met with shocked looks from the council members gathered to watch the debate. A few look like they might be on the edge of a coronary.

  But all I can think about is how proud I am. How much I love Dante. I don’t care what happens from here on – this moment is everything I could have wanted.

  Huber finally seems to come out of his coma and takes to his own microphone.

  “That behavior right there!” he shouts, waving a chubby finger at Dad. “Threatening violence! Profanity from the prince’s own father-in-law! Do we really want the worst of America in the highest office of our land?”

  That’s it. I’ve had just about enough. I save Huber’s life one more time by grabbing Dad’s arm before he can move.

  “This one’s mine,” I say, stalking towards the stage.

  Chapter 100

  55. DANTE

  Amanda plucks Ricci’s handheld microphone before he even realizes she’s on stage.

  “Hello, Chancellor,” she says to Huber. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but my father – that beautiful man you just pointed at – taught me to never tell a lie. He also taught me it’s rude to point at people.”

  I can’t help but grin. Letting both barrels go on Huber has me feeling better than I have in weeks. Whatever the outcome today, I know I’ve said my piece and my conscience is clear.

  Judging by her behavior, I think Amanda feels the same way.

  “Dad taught me a lot of things,” she says. “About being humble, and not talking behind people’s backs, and being honest and straightforward. But I’m not here to talk about him.�
��

  She turns towards me and smiles. It feels like cool water on a hot day.

  “I want to talk about this man right here. The one you’ve been throwing insults at for the past forty minutes. And for three weeks before that, thanks to Mr. Ricci here.”

  Lorenzo’s white face has started to turn green.

  “You were right about a few things, Chancellor,” she says. “Those photos did come from Dante’s bachelor party. But they were taken by someone who had drugged his drink, specifically to give your office fodder for this referendum.”

  “That’s a scandalous accusation!” he sputters, prompting more feedback from his lapel mike.

  “But even that doesn’t matter,” she says, ignoring him. “If I remember right, you asked the Morovan people if they were foolish enough to believe that two people could fall in love in just a few weeks.”

  Now it’s Huber’s turn to go white. The way his mouth is working, you’d think he was a fish on dry land. A big, ugly bass, to be specific.

  “Apparently, I have a lot more faith in love than you do, sir, because I do believe that people can fall in love in a few weeks. Even quicker, really.”

  She slides an arm around mine. “I’ll admit it wasn’t love at first sight for Dante and me. Lust, sure – I mean, look at him. But attraction alone isn’t love.

  “That came later, after I saw him with his niece and nephew. How gentle he was, and understanding and protective.”

  She turns to Huber. “If you really knew the prince the way you claim to, Chancellor, you’d know that Oriana and Vito are his heart and soul. Ask any member of the palace staff, they’ll tell you the same. I’m surprised Duchess Isabella didn’t mention it during any of your long meetings with her.”

  I have to bite down on my lips to keep from horse-laughing as Isabella’s face twists into a mask of pure outrage. The council members all avoid eye contact with her as the cameras turn in her direction.

  “I’ve met a lot of people with money and status over the last little while,” Amanda says. “Some of them, like Giselle Ranette – I’m sure you remember her, Chancellor – weren’t what I would call nice people.

  “But this guy,” she says, squeezing my arm. “What you see is what you get. He treats everyone the same, from other royals to the people who empty the trash at the palace.

  “I should point out that you were right about one thing, Chancellor – Dante did give my father money. Do you know why? Because my father needed it, and because Dante is the most generous man I’ve ever known.”

  Now she’s looking directly into the camera’s red light.

  “I guess if you believe those qualities are character flaws, you should vote to get rid of him,” she says. “I personally fell head-over-heels in love with those character flaws, but hey, that’s just me.”

  With that, she puts down the microphone and wraps her arms around my neck.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” she grins. “Somebody had to say it. Now get over here. We’ve got some catching up to do.”

  My pulse quickens as her lips touch mine. She’s right – it’s been far too long since we touched.

  If there was any justice in the world, there would be some kind of sweeping movie theme playing in the background. As it is, there’s only silence, and the shocked gasps of the council members.

  After several long, delicious moments, I hear Ike clear his throat loudly.

  “Father in the room,” he says.

  Next to him, Maria and Carlo start to chuckle. The chuckles turn into full-blown belly laughs as Ike joins in.

  Chapter 101

  56. AMANDA

  Lorenzo Ricci finally gets enough composure back to retrieve his microphone and find a camera.

  “Obviously, this has not followed proper procedure,” he says. “But such is the nature of live television.”

  He glares at Dante and me.

  “And given that the prince and princess have broken the rules of the debate, I shall offer Chancellor Huber another opportunity for rebuttal.”

  Huber clears his throat.

  “I’ll need a few minutes to organize my thoughts,” he says.

  Ricci touches his earpiece and nods.

  “Our producers are going to a live analysis of the debate with our panel of experts,” he says. “We will return with the chancellor in just a few minutes.”

  The red lights on the cameras all go out at once. The camera operators sling off their headphones and group together on the stage, no doubt talking about what’s happening in the next segment.

  Ricci drops his microphone on the table and storms off, muttering something in Italian. Huber heads behind the large black curtain that’s been serving as the backdrop to the stage.

  I feel Dante’s arm wrap around my waist and I lean into him.

  “My father always says, if I can’t fix it, I’ll bugger it up so that nobody else can,” I say. “Looks like we took that to a whole new level.”

  He smiles. “It’s over now. Whatever the outcome, at least we know we were honest with ourselves. And each other.”

  “What about the children?” I ask.

  “I think your shot at Isabella over colluding with Huber will hurt her in the eyes of the people. We can only hope she’s smart enough to realize she should leave well enough alone.”

  I scan the foyer and catch Maria, Carlo and Dad looking at an iPad and talking with their hands.

  “Something interesting’s going on over there,” I say, nodding in their direction. “I wonder what they’re watching.”

  Suddenly from behind the curtain we hear Isabella’s voice, sharp and hissing: “Emilio, that’s enough! You’re drunk!”

  We glance at each other and duck through the slit in the curtain to the back of the stage. There in front of us is Emilio, unshaven with his hair standing up. I’m pretty sure he slept in his clothes.

  “Emilio!” Dante calls as we hurry towards him. “Good lord, man, are you all right?”

  “Leave him be!” Isabella snaps. “This is none of your concern.”

  “He’s my friend and my cousin,” Dante says, brushing past her to put an arm around Emilio.

  “’I’m so sorry, Dante,” Emilio slurs. “S’all my fault.”

  “What’s your fault?” I ask. “Emilio, where have you been? We’ve been worried about you!”

  Isabella’s eyes flash and she levels a warning finger at her son.

  “Don’t say a word,” she says coldly.

  Meanwhile, Huber looks like he’s swallowed a bug.

  “This – this is government business,” he stammers. “Private business between me and the duchess.”

  Dante ignores them. “We’ll get you some help,” he says to Emilio.

  “I don’t deserve it,” Emilio moans. “It was me. I set you up.”

  Oh my God. Dante and I exchange a look – that explains it. It explains everything.

  “But why, Emilio?” I ask.

  “Not one word!” Isabella cries, panic written across her face.

  “She made me,” he mumbles.

  Dante rounds on his aunt. Her eyes go wide.

  “He’s drunk, obviously – ”

  “Shut up,” Dante growls. “I should have known it was you.”

  “How did she make you?” I ask. “Did she threaten you?”

  “So sorry,” he says. “I screwed up so bad…”

  “It’s nothing we can’t get past,” I say. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “S’all gone…”

  Dante puts a hand on his shoulder. “What’s all gone?”

  “Steiger money… pissed it all away…”

  Tears are streaming down Emilio’s grubby face, leaving streaks in his skin. Isabella’s eyes are wide with horror – not at the state he’s in, but the fact he’s confessing. What kind of a monster is she?

  “This, uh, obviously, uh, comes as a shock,” Huber says.

  “Cut the shit, Julian!” Dante barks. “I know you were the one who
leaked the photos to Lorenzo. It had to be you, Isabella doesn’t know anyone in the media.”

  Dante turns to Isabella. “I’ve wondered for years whether there was anything left of your money. Emilio’s always been a high roller, but I never knew it was that bad.”

  “This is sick,” I say. “Instead of getting him help, you blackmail him into hatching a scheme to replace Dante as monarch? And steal the Trentini fortune for yourself?”

  Isabella’s face turns to stone, but her eyes are still blazing.

  “I’m not saying another word,” she says.

  “What about you?” I say to Huber. “Got anything else to say?”

  He doesn’t. His eyes dart around the room as if looking for an exit.

  “Darling,” I say.

  “Yes, my love?”

  “Where I come from in America, conspiring to overthrow the government is considered treason. What’s the deal here in Morova?”

  “Mmm,” he says. “Unfortunately, I’m not the government. But I don’t imagine the good people of my homeland would take kindly to learning Julian here colluded with Isabella to replace the rightful heir.”

  That gets a rise out of the old bastard. He steels his fleshy jowls and looks us in the eye.

  “You can’t prove anything,” he says. “And the referendum starts in an hour.”

  I look over to see Isabella grinning smugly. Emilio is weeping openly now.

  “We need to get Emilio to a hospital,” Dante says. “But as soon as he’s taken care of, I swear I’ll do everything in my power to see you two in court over this. I don’t care if it takes every penny of my personal fortune, you’re not going to get away with this.”

  “We’ll see,” says Huber. “I’ll be sure to discuss it with the chief justice while he’s at my home for dinner on Sunday.”

  Dante gives them one last round of dirty looks before picking Emilio up under the arm and helping him back to the opening in the curtain.

  “This is why we need to fight,” he says as we emerge onto the stage. “I won’t leave my homeland in the hands of these parasites.”