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Mom climbs onto the bed to sit beside me. "That was my husband."
But it wasn't just dad, and we all know it.
"He didn't mean that," Queen Therese says with conviction. "While it does not happen very often, you know your father can say things he regrets later if his emotions are too high."
Rio gives a grudging nod.
"Remember the man who taught you and your siblings to swim, refusing to leave it to paid instructors. Claudio took time from a schedule most would not in order to be a dad to you children as well as your royal father."
Rio sighs.
And I reach out to take his hand. "He loves you and I know you love him. We knew this wasn't going to be easy, but having the wedding we wanted was worth it, right?"
Rio kneels on the floor by the bed, taking my hands in his, his gaze snagging mine. "Absolutely."
"Then we'll both have to practice some patience with our dads." I give him a weary smile. This pregnancy stuff is no joke. "Who knew they were so much alike though, huh?"
Both mothers give identical sounds of amused exasperation. Our dads aren't the only ones with a lot in common. Hopefully, that will make the coming days easier to navigate.
"I think we should return to your father and let Constanza's mother care for her." Queen Therese gives a rueful smile. "I think my pregnant daughter-in-law has dealt with enough royal drama for today."
"Oh, I'm up for the drama, but be warned, I might start a blog about it.What it's like behind the doors of the palace."
Rio leans forward and kisses me right on the lips. In front of both our mothers. "You're going to be trouble, Tanzi Scorsolini."
"You're just figuring this out?" my mom asks.
"I believe your lovely bride will be exactly the type of trouble you need, my son."
After another sweet kiss, Rio accompanies his mom out of the room.
Her voice drifts back to me before they exit the suite. "Perhaps now that you are married to the woman you love and beginning a family of your own, you will spend more time here at the palace."
"Is that what you want?" mom asks me.
I shrug. "That depends on if the king gets over his anger about our marriage."
"If he really is like your dad, he'll get over it."
I hope my mom is right because I'm not giving my prince up. Not even for the sake of his royal family.
CHAPTER 14: Rio
Confronting the King & the Billionaire
I wait until Tanzi's brothers and the rest of my family go to their rooms to freshen up for dinner – another all family gathering…oh joy – to talk to the two dads in private.
Their glares indicate they do not appreciate how much restraint I have shown dealing with both of them so far.
"Let's go into my study," my father says.
I shake my head, in no mood to give into his power move. He has enough of an advantage having this discussion here in the palace. We aren't going into his private sanctum for it.
I lean back on the sectional. "I'm good here."
A flicker of respect glimmers in Miguel Menendez's gaze. Then he fixes it on my dad. "This is fine."
Father's mouth tightens infinitesimally, but that is all the evidence he gives that our refusal to fall in immediately with his plans displeases him. "You realize your actions have put our family in a difficult position. You were all but engaged to Giannetta Bellini."
