The Prince's Christmas Vow

After a quick greeting, Zoe dove into the reason for her call. “Liliana, how’s my mum doing?”

“She has her good days and her bad days. I’m sure you know how that goes.”

“I do.” It was heartbreaking to watch the confusion that would come over her mother’s face—the utter lack of recognition. But thankfully for now the good times outweighed the bad. “I just wanted to let you know that work has me away on a short trip. So you won’t reach me at the apartment, but you can always reach me on my cell phone.”

“I’m glad to hear that you’re getting out and about. You need to do that more often. Too bad the trip is business. Maybe you can squeeze in some fun time.”

Demetrius’s face flashed in her mind. “I don’t think that will be possible. There’s a lot of work to do.”

“Does this have something to do with that South Shore project?”

“Sì.” Zoe knew she had to handle this carefully. Liliana was an astute woman. If Zoe wasn’t careful, her friend would add two and two. And there was no doubt about it, Liliana would get four. “I’m doing some research. It appears this project is bigger than I was anticipating.”

“Really? That’s a good thing, right?”

“It’s very good. I just need to be on top of my game.”

“Well, don’t you worry. Your mother is fine here. She can stay as long as you need.”

“Thanks so much. I really appreciate this. Did...did Mum tell you she’s moving into assisted living as soon as the arrangements can be made? The doctor suggested that sooner was better than later.” The thought that things had deteriorated to that point made Zoe’s heart ache.

“I’m so sorry, Zoe. You know I’m just a phone call away.”

“Grazie.” Liliana was like a second mother to her. “It means a lot.”

“This is one of your mother’s good days. Would you like to talk with her?”

“I would.” Zoe missed her mother dearly. It’d always been the two of them against the world. But lately their roles had started to be reversed and the strong woman that Zoe had always known her mother to be was becoming less and less sure of herself. Damn disease.

After a brief talk with her mother, Zoe stowed her unpacked suitcase in the walk-in closet. Not sure whether she was coming or going, she’d deal with it later. Right now, the fresh air beckoned to her. Hopefully a walk on the beach would give her the peace needed to make sense of Demetrius’s claim. They were still married. Husband and wife. She stared down at her bare ring finger. There had to be an explanation, but what?

Zoe moved to the deck. A long set of wooden steps led her down to the pristine beach. It was so hard to believe that this was all private property—property of the Crown. And she had it all to herself.

The thought brought her no joy. All she could picture was the accusing stare that Demetrius had leveled at her. Why would he think she had something to do with the missing papers when she was the one to end their marriage?

CHAPTER SEVEN

“ZOE, WHERE ARE YOU?”

Demetrius stood in the living room of the beach house and raked his fingers through his hair. It’d taken him longer at the palace than he had anticipated. With his twin brother, Alex, in the States with his wife’s family, the responsibility for Mirraccino’s shipping port fell to Demetrius.

He’d hoped Zoe would have made herself at home, but there was no sign of her. “Zoe!”

Again there was no answer.

Where was she? His mind spun back in time. This wasn’t the first time that he’d searched for her, only to find her gone. The last time he’d found a brief note and tracked her down in the palace driveway—where she’d told him that she was leaving. If he hadn’t gone after her, she would have left without saying one single word to him. Is that what she’d done again? Had she left?

He rushed back the hallway, checking each bedroom for any sign of her. Each room was empty and there was no sign of her suitcase. His gut churned. Why did he think this time would be any different?

He strode to the deck where he rested his palms on the railing and leaned forward. His gaze stretched out over the crystal-blue water. Gentle swells rose and fell. Usually he could find solace in the water, but not today. All he could think about was how once again she’d skipped out on him. This time there wasn’t so much as a note.