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drive had become a frequent one over the past few weeks since his father and the United States secretary of the navy had signed the final agreement for the new U.S. naval base.
    Negotiations had been ongoing for several years before Janessa Rogers had arrived and facilitated the current agreement. Her purpose for coming to Meridia had been to enhance security for his family, but she had exercised her initiative and proposed an option for the U.S. naval base that her government had not previously considered: retrofitting a portion of Meridia’s current naval base in Bellamo for their use rather than building a new facility.
    Since that time, Stefano had been actively engaged in working with the environmental agencies in Meridia to ensure that their shoreline would be protected while Garrett and Janessa worked tirelessly to ensure the base’s security. While Stefano could see significant benefits from the United States developing a presence in Bellamo, he also knew the Americans were popular terrorist targets. No one in Meridia wanted their country to be known as the location of a successful terrorist attack.
    Stefano indulged himself and looked out the window as his driver began the descent from the cliffs, where the palace was located, down into the village below. Adobe-style homes topped with red tiled roofs were scattered along the hillside, overlooking the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean. Boats were scarce on the water today, presumably because of the dark clouds threatening overhead.
    They made it only a few miles past the village before fat raindrops splattered against the windshield and the driver flipped on the wipers. Stefano supposed his brother and future sister-in-law had been wise after all to make the trip late last night instead of waiting to travel with him this morning. They had been anxious to get home, as that’s how they both thought of the chateau now.
    Over the past few months, Garrett had transitioned to living there full time even though the chateau had once been used only as the royal family’s summer home. Garrett would always have a place in the palace in Calene, but for Janessa, their ancestral home would never be more than a place to visit.
    Stefano settled back in his seat, opened his briefcase, and pulled out the latest proposal for environmental testing off the coast of Bellamo. He barely noticed the flash of a dark car passing them on the narrow road, but when his driver slammed on the brakes, Stefano looked up suddenly. His heart jumped into his throat when he felt the car swerve and spin, sliding at full speed toward a cluster of palm trees.
    The driver fought for control but to no avail. In an instant, the sleek limousine careened off the road, followed by the crunch of metal.
    * * *
    King Eduard stood in the private waiting room of the hospital in Calene, feeling an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu. He had walked into the hospital a king, but now he was simply a worried father, one who was desperate for news. Only weeks ago, his wife had been in a hospital bed fighting for her life, and Eduard remembered all too well those long minutes while they had waited for news.
    Queen Marta gripped his hand now, and Eduard could feel the tension vibrating through her. That tension heightened when the doctor entered moments later.
    “Your Majesties.” Dr. Casale bowed slightly.
    “How is Stefano?” Marta asked before the doctor could continue.
    “He’s going to be fine,” the doctor assured her. “Thankfully he was wearing his seat belt, and the worst of the impact was on the other side of the car. He has a broken clavicle and some bruised ribs, but other than being uncomfortable for a while, he’s doing remarkably well considering the severity of the accident.”
    Relief swept through Eduard. “What about the driver?”
    “I’m afraid he is in serious condition,” Dr. Casale said gravely. “He’s being prepped for surgery right now.”
    “How did this happen?”
    “The