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of Church members were at his baptism. Everyone there promised to keep the information confidential. Even the members of our branch don’t know he’s a baptized member.”
    “One of the locals who works at our embassy in Calene was there when he got baptized. He said something to our operative there, assuming we already knew about it,” Director Palmer told her. His voice took a serious tone when he added, “Janessa, Garrett isn’t the only one at risk right now. Your association with the royal family makes you a target too.”
    Janessa swallowed hard as she considered his words. “How credible do you think this threat is?”
    “We’ve seen an increase in chatter in the region over the past week, but we aren’t sure yet if it has anything to do with Prince Stefano’s accident,” Director Palmer admitted. “I promise you’ll be among the first to know if we uncover anything new.”
    “I would appreciate it,” Janessa said. “I don’t know if the royal family can handle another threat like the last one.”

Chapter 8
    “Mama, Mama! Look!” Dante pointed excitedly out the window as the royal chateau came into view.
    The stone structure itself was exquisite, towers and turrets spearing into the sky in a way that made Alora think of fairytales. Summer flowers contrasted with the lush green hillside and the bright blue of the Mediterranean. Her eyes shifted to the water and the pristine white beach that stretched out behind their new home.
    “Are we really going to live here?”
    Alora swallowed a bubble of uncertainty and managed to nod. “Yes, we’re really going to live here.” She glanced at her children in the rearview mirror. “Now, don’t forget what we practiced. When you greet any grown-ups, you need to bow, right?”
    “We remember, Mama,” Giancarlo insisted.
    Dante shifted excitedly beside his brother. “Can we play on the beach? And go swimming? And get a puppy?”
    “Slow down.” Alora chuckled at Dante’s enthusiasm and his continued plea for a puppy. She slowed the car as she approached the gate at the entrance. “I’m sure you’ll be able to play on the beach, but only if I’m with you. For now, we need to get settled.”
    “But we’ve been driving forever.” Dante’s voice came out in a whine. “Can’t we go play first?”
    Before she could answer, Giancarlo asked, “Are you sure they’re going to let us in?”
    “We’re about to find out.” Alora rolled down the window.
    “May I help you?” the guard asked, looking first at Alora and then glancing at the two boys in the backseat.
    “Yes, I’m here to see Janessa Rogers.”
    “I’m sorry, but Signorina Rogers is not in right now,” the guard informed her. “Was she expecting you?”
    “Yes. I’m Alora DeSanto.” She started to fumble for a way to explain that she was moving in, but then the guard smiled warmly.
    “Ah, yes, we’ve been expecting you. I will need to see some ID though.”
    “Of course.” Alora rummaged through her purse and pulled her passport free. “Here you go.”
    “Thank you.” He looked down at the passport to verify her identity. Then he motioned to a second guard to open the gate. “Follow the driveway to the front of the house. After your luggage has been unloaded, you can park your car in the garage.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Of course, Signora. Welcome to Bellamo.”
    * * *
    The green and brown patchwork of fields stretched out for miles under the wispy white clouds that accented the brilliant blue sky. In the distance, Janessa could see the cluster of neighborhoods that made up the outskirts of Des Moines, Iowa, the closest town to her family’s farm.
    Idly, she fiddled with the diamond engagement ring on her left hand, twisting it back and forth as she leaned back beside the man she planned to marry, the man who was about to meet her family for the first time. Besides the obvious concerns of whether her fiancé and family would like each other, Director Palmer’s