Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

“They passed away four years ago.”

“Do I have siblings?”

“You had a brother, Paolo, who was a year older than you. When you were nine and ten, you both ran out in the road to chase your dog at the beach. A bus came by and accidentally killed him and the dog.”

When Rini didn’t respond she said, “But you have cousins, including your favorite, Vincenzo, you don’t remember. He’s a year younger than you and was recently engaged to be married.”

She turned to the doctor, afraid maybe she’d said too much. “I told him he has grandparents who’d like to see him. What do you think?”

“Why not ask him how he feels right now? Remember that they’ll ask questions. If this is too much, it can wait until tomorrow.”

She focused on Rini once more. “Would you rather rest now and see your grandparents another time?”

“No. After staying in that hospital for so long, I can’t learn enough fast enough.”

That sounded like her dynamic husband.

“I’ll tell them to come in.”

She hurried over to the door and motioned for them to enter. “He knows you’re his grandparents, but not who you are if you understand my meaning. I’ll translate for you.”

They walked toward Rini, their eyes brimming with tears. “We thought you had died,” Antonia said, breaking down.

Leonardo cleared his throat. “Thank the Almighty you’re alive and back home with us where you belong.”

Rini studied the two of them. “There were many days I wondered where I came from, let alone tried to imagine where I belonged.”

“We want you to get better and will do whatever we can to help you. The doctor wants you to stay in the hospital until all the tests are done and you’re feeling well enough to go home.”

The love in Leonardo’s voice touched Luna to the core.

“Engraziel,” he answered in Romansh, meaning thank you. She translated for his grandparents.

It was Rini’s handsome face behind the hair on his head and face. It was his tall, magnificent yet underweight body inside those ghastly mint-green hospital pants and top. It was his deep, thrilling voice that came out of that compelling mouth... But the man they all loved and adored wasn’t there.

Her gaze met Dr. Romano’s. He’d done his best to warn her about Rini’s paranoia. She turned to her husband, who had to be exhausted. “We’ll leave so the staff can get your medical regimen going.”

“Stay with me.” He almost growled the words with an intensity that bespoke his great need.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms and love him into oblivion. “I promise I’ll only say goodbye to them. Then I’ll be back.”

“Luna?” his grandmother said in an aside once they were out in the hall. “We’re going to return to the palace and leave you with Rini. What has happened to him is beyond tragic and it’s obvious he needs you to communicate. Leo and I will phone the family to let them know everything that has happened. I know Vincenzo will want to come and help do some translating.”

That might be helpful for Rini. He’d have another person to talk to. Maybe it was possible he’d recognize Vincenzo. She prayed that would happen.

“Keep us posted.” Antonia gave her another hug.

“You know I will, and we’ll have a long talk.” She hugged Leonardo before they both left. The doctor walked them to the elevator.

Free to be alone with Rini at last, Luna hurried to his room. She took a deep breath and pulled up a chair near the side of the bed. She’d rather climb under the covers with him, even if he didn’t know her. “You must feel like a baby who’s just been born. All these strange people looking down at you in your crib.”

She’d hoped he would chuckle, but he didn’t. Their happy marriage had been filled with laughter, but no longer.

“Since we had to fly a certain distance by helicopter, how did you know I’d been taken to a hospital there?”

“I didn’t.” She leaned forward. “After the quake, seven of the miners turned up missing. One of them was Slovenian, who worked for your company on a visa. You’re the head of the Baldasseri Gold Mining Company near the Slovenian border. You’d gone there to do an inspection and implement new reforms.”

“None of that computes to me.”