"She didn't seem especially interested in talking about him," Mia said. "Not in a romantic way. Usually Kelly can't stop talking about a guy who interests her. So that's something."
Francesca looked at her. "So Kelly is sleeping with someone she doesn't actually care about?" She touched her stomach. "Oh, God, I feel sick."
"No, I didn't mean it that way," Mia said quickly.
Sam shook his head. "Mia, please. Don't worry about it. We both know what you're saying. It doesn't seem that Etienne is the love of her life. That's good news. The rest of it we'll figure out how to deal with."
Francesca stood. "You're right. Oh, Mia, we've been bothering you with this when you have so much going on already."
"I don't mind," Mia said, and meant it. "As soon as you're gone, I'll only have my own life to think about, and right now, that's not a thrilling prospect."
* * *
The small hotel seemed to have more in common with a B and B than a large chain, Mia thought as Joe parked in the nearly empty lot in front of the long building. She took in the ceramic animals in the garden, the seasonal flag over the front door, and a large plaque proclaiming "Our Guests Are Our Family" by the porch.
The whole place screamed cute, and she had a feeling Rafael would hate every second he was there. The thought cheered her as she climbed out of Joe's SUV and walked to the reception area.
"He bought out a whole wing," her brother said as he fell into step with her. "They have the second floor. It's ten rooms. They're using three of them and leaving the others empty."
"At least it will be quiet for him," she murmured. "He can catch up on his sleep."
There was a young woman sitting behind the counter. She had an open biology book next to the registration log. A student, Mia thought. Probably from UC Santa Barbara.
"Hi," Mia said with a smile. "We're here to see Prince Rafael."
The girl glanced around, as if looking for spies, then spoke in a low voice. "We're not supposed to tell anyone he's here. He's been very clear about that. Not that anyone has been asking." She flipped through several papers. "Are you Mia Marcelli?"
Mia nodded.
"You're allowed to go see him." She glanced doubtfully at Joe.
"I'm her brother," he said easily. "Rafael and I go way back."
The receptionist nodded. "Okay. They have the second floor of the beach wing. The stairs are right out there. He's in room twenty-three." She smiled again. "It's our biggest suite. A really pretty room. He said it reminded him of when he stayed in Paris. Can you believe it? I've never been anywhere. He's so gorgeous and a real prince. I Googled him." She giggled.
"All right, then," Mia said. "Thanks for your help."
She and Joe found the stairs and climbed them. Before they reached the top, Oliver had stepped out onto the landing.
"Morning," Joe said cheerfully. "Great place. Can you see the ocean from your rooms? I'll bet they serve a nice breakfast. I heard the chefs are all culinary arts students."
Oliver glared without speaking. Umberto joined him. Joe moved forward until he reached the landing. Mia followed.
"You're not allowed in," Umberto growled. "Only her."
"That would be almost-princess Mia to you," Mia said brightly. "And I'm not going anywhere without Joe. He's not armed, though. We figured you'd get fussy about that. But feel free to check him out yourself. I always thought you got a bit of a thrill patting the guys down."
Umberto growled, then motioned for Oliver to search Joe. The pat-down was quick and efficient. Oliver shook his head.
Mia wore a cropped tank top over a long cotton skirt. She'd left her purse in the car and held nothing in her hands.
She spun in a slow circle. "As you can see, I'm not armed, either. Don't worry, as much as I want him dead, I don't want to be obvious about killing him."
The men exchanged a glance, then waved Mia and Joe through. Mia checked the numbers on the doors and knocked on 23.
Rafael answered immediately. She ignored him as she stepped into the suite. Just being close to him was enough to send her into a fiery temper, and right now she wanted to avoid any strong emotion. Far better to just get through the conversation without feeling anything at all. Emotional neutrality would be a win for her.
She took a moment to absorb the floral wallpaper and how it carefully matched the drapes and the cushions on the sofa. There were silks and satins and laces. Plants, tiny tables crammed with pictures in frames, and tiny crystal vases and knickknacks. There wasn't an inch of clear tabletop or a foot empty of furniture. The rooms were crowded and fussy. She knew instantly he would despise them. How lovely.
She turned back to Rafael. "Interesting room."
He shrugged. "I wanted to be close."
"I'm sure you did. All the better to kidnap Danny."
"Mia, please. That was not what I had planned."
She held up a hand to stop him. "This is my meeting and I'm in charge. You're going to listen." She reached into her skirt pocket and drew out a piece of paper. After unfolding it, she handed it to him."We've been to a judge," she said. "This is a restraining order. I'll give you the highlights, although I'm sure you'll want to read it all yourself later. You're not allowed on Marcelli land without first making an appointment to see either Danny or me. You must notify me first, and telling someone else in the family doesn't count. You must speak directly to me."
"So you can avoid me for as long as you would like," he said bitterly.
"Actually, I can't, and I wouldn't, but I don't care if you believe me or not. You're not allowed to see Danny on your own. I will be with you at all times. If you try to see Danny on your own or without setting it up with me first, you will be deported."
He stiffened. "That is not possible."
She tapped the paper. "Read it and weep, big guy. It is possible. I will supervise your visits and if you try to take him or influence him or anything else I don't like, you will be deported."
She nodded at Joe. "Why don't you do the next part."
Joe smiled. "Happy to. Danny has been fitted with a small wristband that constantly monitors his position. If he is removed from the property, an alarm will sound and an APB will go out. Local and federal law enforcement will be notified and all airports within a fifty-mile radius will instantly be closed. When you and Danny are found— "
Rafael raised a hand. "Let me guess. I will be deported."
"I think you'll be charged with some serious crimes," Mia said. "Then your government will get involved because they won't like that you've been arrested. That will be messy. And I'm pretty sure you'll be fined for the whole airport closure thing. Then you'll be deported."
"Should you try to remove the wristband," Joe continued. "An alarm will sound."
Mia glared at Rafael. "Unlike you, I won't try to keep you from Danny. I think it's important he have a relationship with his father, regardless of how ratty that man may be. I was willing to trust you and you blew that, so now we do this my way. You may see him, you may be a part of his life, but you may not take him to Calandria. Not until he's eighteen, and then only if he's willing."
Rafael's anger was a tangible creature in the room. "You cannot do this. Daniel is the heir to the Calandrian throne. He has much to learn about his country and his people."
"I guess he's going to have to take his classes over the Internet."
"This is unreasonable."
"Unreasonable?" She felt her own temper flaring. "Let's talk about unreasonable. Let's talk about a man who slinks into my life, telling lies at every turn. Let's talk about someone willing to deceive my entire family. I would have worked with you," she yelled. "That's what really bugs me. I would have been reasonable. I would have done the right thing. Because that's the kind of person I am. But you weren't willing to find that out. The very first thing you did was to lie to me. You used me in every way possible to get what you wanted."
She curled her fingers into fists and wished she were strong enough to hurt him if she hauled off and socked him. "Do you think I like having to do this? Oh, sure, there's the initial thrill of getting a little revenge, but then what? How do I explain this to Danny? How do I tell him that his father is a liar?"
"You do not understand," Rafael said between clenched teeth.
"Actually, I understand perfectly." She moved toward him. "Why didn't you even ask? Why didn't you try telling the truth?"
"If you said no, I would be left with nothing."
"Which is pretty much what you have now."
He grabbed her by the upper arms. "Mia, Daniel has a great future. He will one day be king. You have no right to keep him from his destiny. Do you think he will thank you when he learns the truth?"
Joe hovered close enough to rip Rafael away if he tried anything. Mia hated that Rafael's touch made her blood heat and parts of her ache. So much for fury burning away baser desires. She'd been so hopeful, too.
"How do you think Danny will feel when he finds out that you were planning to steal him away?"
His blue eyes darkened with emotion. "He will understand why I thought it necessary."
"As a rule, four-year-old little boys don't appreciate losing their moms."
He released her. She hated how she instantly felt about twenty degrees colder.
"You keep saying that," he growled. "I would not have kept you from him. I planned for you to see him whenever you wanted."
The last of her emotional restraints snapped. "You planned? Where the hell do you get off making statements like that? You planned. That's bullshit. You don't get to make those kinds of decisions without me. A person planning visitation talks about it. He doesn't try to trick his child's mother into a fake marriage for the sole purpose of divorcing her and stealing her son."
"I know," he said. "I am sorry."
The apology surprised her, but it wasn't nearly enough. "It's done," she said. "We deal with where we are now. Danny stays here until he's eighteen."
"He needs to be in Calandria."
"Sorry, he's not going to be. If you want to compromise, then get your law changed." She smiled tightly at his look of surprise. "Oh, yeah, we looked it up. The second Danny is on Calandrian soil, he cannot be taken away without his father's permission. It's an heir thing. Change the law and we'll talk. Until then, we play by my rules."
He glared at her. "I am Crown Prince Rafael of Calandria. You can't do this to me."
"Watch me."
* * *
Rafael arrived at the Marcelli house fifteen minutes before his first scheduled visit with Daniel. While he was furious with the fact that Mia was able to dictate all the terms of his seeing his son, he also admired her strength and tenacity.
She dared to stand up to him. More impressive, she managed to broker a legal deal that put him at her mercy. He would not have thought her capable of such machinations.
Unfortunately for him, her legal maneuverings were proving most difficult to escape. The top lawyers in Calandria were investigating ways around what she'd put in place, but they were not hopeful. An appeal could be made to an international court. The most likely outcome was that Daniel would live part of the year in both places. But that would satisfy neither of them. In addition, Rafael was not yet ready to go public with this complication. He did not relish being made a laughingstock in the tabloids for a second time.