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  “That may be true, but what do you do when the person you love isn’t allowed to be with you?” She suddenly realized that Jeremy was Christy’s superior. She was sure that meant they could not be together either.

  Christy said, “Tell him how you feel. Let him make a choice. If he doesn’t even know you’re an option…” Christy’s phone vibrated. “I’ve got to go.” She winked and disappeared behind the wall.

  “Bye,” Marisa whispered. She continued to collect her things as she pondered what Christy had said. Did she dare tell Christian how she really felt? She couldn’t imagine him ever sacrificing his job as captain of the guard for her or for anyone for that matter. Christy and Jeremy had made it work somehow within the rules. She hadn’t had to give up her whole life for him. If Christian were to be with her, he would have to give up his. It hardly seemed fair. Her heart ached with longing.

  Someone rapped on the wall, and Marisa startled. “Yes?” she blurted.

  “Can I come in?”

  Her heart pounded hard against her ribs. It was Christian. “Sure,” she said, standing up and pretending to be calm.

  “Hey, I wanted to stop in and—”

  “Wait!” she said, seeing him had made her realize she had to tell him how she felt or she’d regret it forever. “Can I tell you something first?”

  He nodded.

  “I understand that your position as the captain of the guard is your life, and that there are rules you have to live by, but I just need you to know how I feel about you and how amazing I think you are and that it is going to be harder than you’d ever imagine for me not to see you every day. I’m so sorry for this, but,” she moved toward him, “I have to.” She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him, fast, rushed, and she turned to leave.

  He called after her before she could disappear behind the wall. “Wait. I have something to say, too.”

  She froze.

  “I’m quitting.”

  She turned around, and it was like everything slowed down. He took her in his arms and lifted her up, their lips meeting as if for the first time. Fire rushed from her toes to her head, and a joy she’d never before experienced filled her. He kept holding her up, her feet off the ground as she whispered in his ear, “I’d rather be with you than be in the personal guard and go to America.”

  “And I’d rather be you with than do anything else in this world.”

  Her body was a buzz with excitement. “I have an idea.”

  “You do?” he said, leaning down to kiss her. “Tell me I’m involved.”

  “Oh, you are.” She waggled her eyebrows. “I think we should start the very first independent protection agency in Monterra.”

  His head jerked back and then he smiled. “I like that idea. A lot.”

  She laughed and picked up her bundle of guards articles and handed them to Christian. “I’d like to turn these in.”

  “Well, that needs to be done in the captain’s office. I don’t think anyone is in there anymore.”

  “I bet it’ll be Elia or Abelli that replaces the old captain of the guard. Although no one will ever be quite like him.”

  “You could be right,” Christian agreed. “They’re both quite capable.”

  “So long as Barsetti doesn’t get the job I’ll be happy.”

  “I’ll put a word in with the king.”

  “That’d be good.” She grinned mischievously. “And Zack Laterza should probably be off the list, too.”

  “Noted.”

  “You know what the craziest thing is?”

  “What?”

  “I think the king, his queen, and all the royals will be just as safe, just as secure with Elia or Abelli leading the way as with us.”

  “I think you’re right about that.”

  “You did train them after all.”

  “I did. One thing, Ms. Donati.”

  “Yes? Mr. Di Stefano.”

  “How do you feel about basing our business out of France?”

  Marisa grabbed Christian’s hand. “I think I wouldn’t be the only one happy about that.”

  “And I think that other someone is really going to like it, too.”

  He leaned down and gave Marisa the most tender, feather light kiss she would ever have.

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  About the Author

  Cindy M. Hogan is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh.

  She is the bestselling and award winning author of the Watched Trilogy, a YA suspense series with a dash of romance and three in a spy series, Adrenaline Rush, Hotwire, and Fatal Exchange. She has since branched off to write a mystery, Gravediggers, that won Best YA novel of 2013, a contemporary romance, Sweet and Sour Kisses, and The Code of Silence Trilogy. She also has written three novellas in anthologies: Dangerous Truth, The Descension, and The Royal Guard.