Risky Shot (22 page)

"Sorry. I forget not everyone can tell them apart. That's my baby brother, Pierce." Dani choked and laughed until her voice went out. "You okay? What's so funny?"

Dani gestured for Paige to come closer so she didn't have to talk as loud. "Tammy said he was a band geek."

Paige broke out into peals of laughter and Dani now saw why Miles and Marshall had found it so funny. She looked at the picture again. She couldn't tell how tall he was. But if you can look that good while riding a bucking bull, who cares? He was solid muscle and the fit of his jeans definitely showed him to be a man, not a skinny scarecrow like Tammy thought.

"What's so funny?" Tammy walked out of the bathroom with a full pitcher of water. She poured Dani a glass and handed it to her. Dani could only shake her head and look at Paige.

"It'll be better for you to find out on your own. It would ruin the surprise." Turning to Dani, "Mo said we were to feed you and then pop another pill in you if you woke up. He said you are partial to ice cream. You want some?" Dani nodded and Paige got up and used the phone to call up some ice cream.

Dani listened to more stories from the fair as they all ate ice cream. Despite her best efforts, her eyes got heavy and closed all on their own. She'd have to have Tammy finish her story at work on Monday.

When she next opened her eyes, she found the bedroom awash in bright sunlight. She rolled onto her side and looked for Mo, only to discover he wasn’t in the room. She stretched and noticed her throat wasn’t in as much pain today. Tired of laying in bed, she swung her feet off the side and sat up. She waited for the nausea, but was rewarded with only a slight headache. She found herself to be a little wobbly when she stood. She kept a hand on the bed as she walked toward the bathroom. Her mind was on one thing, a shower. She reached the bathroom and turned on the hot water. She unbuttoned her shirt and stepped under the spray. Muscles relaxed as the spell she had been living in the past couple of wore off and her energy started to return.

She toweled off and did a quick blow-dry of her hair. Slipping into the pair of jeans she found folded in the bathroom, she went in search of another of Mo’s shirts. She found a light green shirt and buttoned it up. Next, she went in search of Mo. She headed downstairs and glanced into the rooms she passed by. Heading into a part of the house she had not been into yet, she found a large dining room and a library. At the end of the hall, she opened a door and walked into a beautiful solarium. Vase after vase lined the back windows. Each vase held a dozen roses of red, yellow, white, pink, and purple.

Her breath caught as she realized that each vase had a letter drawn on them. As she looked down the line of flowers, she read, “Will you marry me?” One of her hands covered her open mouth, the other she placed on her rapidly beating heart as if she could slow it. She heard the door open behind her and slowly turned to see Mo walk in. His dark hair was brushed back and he looked breathtakingly handsome in his black pin stripe suit.

“Danielle.” He said her name like a prayer on his lips as he bent down on one knee before her. “My love. You have changed my world. I was lost and floating through life before meeting you. You have shown me true love and happiness. When you are not with me, I feel a part of me is missing. Make me whole. Say you will marry me and spend the rest of your life letting me show you just how much I love you.”

“Your parents know. I asked your father’s permission the first night I met him. I was just waiting for the perfect time to ask you. When I almost lost you, I didn’t want to wait any longer. I planned a celebratory lunch, if you are feeling up to it.”

“This is why I love you! But, what about your parents?”

“I have invited them to dinner. And that is why I love you.” He leaned over and kissed her gently. She could tell he was still afraid of hurting her. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him for all she was worth.

He held up hands in defeat and kissed her cheek, “Fine. I will call the doctors. It will make me feel better to know you are alright after Friday.”

“Thank you. I want to be able to face your parents tonight with all of that behind me.” She dropped her hands from her hips and gave him a hug. She stepped back as he pulled out a cell phone from his inside pocket. He stepped away from her and talked into the phone for a minute.

“The doctor and his staff will be here in thirty minutes. I will be right by your side through the whole thing. Like I told you before, there will be a physical exam. They will take some blood for a series of tests. Then he will ask you some questions, talk about your life growing up, and how you are handling this week's events. He will also ask about your views on life in the public eye. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“Yes, I am sure. I really want to do this. I am not worried. It will be a great relief to get it over with and make our engagement official.”

“Come on, let’s go upstairs and continue our celebration while we wait for the doctor to arrive."

The tests weren’t as bad as she thought. They had drawn her blood and sent it out to be tested for hereditary diseases. She was told her arm was healing, but the violent bruising would take a couple more weeks to go down. Her head looked good and she would start feeling better every day. Mo was handed a formal evaluation on her physical and mental health to submit to his father. She was cleared to be a princess. She still couldn’t quite wrap her mind around it. Mo had never acted like typical royalty. To her, he was just Mo.

They walked hand in hand down the staircase and into the small, informal dining room. She let go of Mo’s hand as she catapulted herself into her mother’s arms.

“Can you believe it, Mama?” She held out the ring for her mother to exclaim over while her father shook Mo’s hand and clasped his back.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you in the past. I guess this means I must donate more wine to that charity of yours.” Her father laughed and then turned to Danielle, “My bambina. How are you old enough to be getting married?” He wrapped her up in a hug and kissed the top of her head. “You chose well. You will be very happy with him, like I am with your mother.”

Mo came to stand beside her and placed his hand on the small of her back. “Why don’t we sit down? I don’t want you getting too tired for tonight.” He held out a chair for her as he directed her parents where to sit.

The food was brought out from the kitchen and Dani’s stomach did a happy jig when she smelled the lasagna and garlic bread. Mo raised his glass of wine, “To my new family.
Salute!
”

“
Salute!
” the table replied.

Her mother served the lasagna, her father poured the wine, Mo passed the bread, and Dani sat back to enjoy the sight of her family together. She ate a couple of bites. As her stomach filled, her eyes dropped.

“Please, Mary, Tony, enjoy the éclairs.” Mo rose and walked over to her. “I am going to put Dani to bed.”

Her mother scooted her chair back and came over to her. She placed a kiss on her cheek, “Sleep well, Bella. We will see you tonight.”

Her father kissed her other cheek and gave her hand a little squeeze before Mo helped her out of her chair and walked her upstairs. She fit so perfectly in the crook of his arm. She inhaled his scent and her lids closed. When they opened again, he was laying her down in bed.

Dani brushed her long hair one more time. She knew she was doing it because of nerves. Mo had left fifteen minutes ago with the letter from the doctor and was meeting his parents in his study. She looked again in the mirror and adjusted her shawl to make sure it covered the bruises on her arm. A couple layers of make-up had covered the bruise on her head. She couldn’t do anything with the surgical tape except try to keep it covered with her hair. She took a deep breath and walked downstairs.

“Oh! My baby girl is all grown up!”

“Mama, I have been grown up for a decade,” Dani rolled her eyes and smiled.

“To a mother, her daughter is never all the way grown up. You just have grown up moments, and this is one of them.” Her mother hugged her and kissed both of her cheeks. “Bella! You’re freezing. Are you alright?” he asked.

“How many times have I told you to get rid of that piece of junk? Didn’t you tell him you are a very rich young lady with no need to marry into money?” Her father waved his arms around as if he still couldn’t comprehend someone not liking her.

“No, Papa. I shouldn’t have to defend myself like that. He was insulting and I don’t think I needed to explain my financial situation as he was yelling at me.” Dani's hands moved to her hips at the same time her father moved his hands to his.

“Enough. Both of you. Bella, I understand why you didn’t say anything to him about your trust fund. Tony, you have to respect your daughter's decision not to be some air-headed heiress throwing her money about like it grew on trees.” Her mother stared them down until they both removed their hands from their hips. “Now, with that said, I think we need to teach Mo’s father a little something about manners. Come with me.” Her mother turned, leaving Dani scrambling to keep up with her.

“What are you doing, Mama?”

“Turning you into an heiress.” Her mother led Dani into her bedroom and opened the closet. “First, take off that dress and put this on.” Her mother handed her a deep green silk wrap dress that hit just above her knees. “Now, turn around so I can put this on.”

Dani turned around and her mother draped a large diamond and emerald necklace across her bruised throat. The necklace would definitely draw the attention away from some of the darkness of the bruises she couldn’t cover up.

“Perfect. Now let me put your hair up into a quick French twist and you will teach Mo’s father a lesson on judging people.” Her mother deftly twisted her hair up and pinned her dark locks with a black and green clip. “Great. Now lets go meet your future in-laws.”

Mo stood in the hallway when Dani made her way down the stairs with her mother. The look on his face was enough to boost the confidence his father had worn down.

“You look stunning. I am the luckiest man in the world.”

He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. He led the group to the formal sitting room. The furniture was stiff and elegant. It looked like it belonged in Buckingham Palace, not Keeneston, Kentucky. The antique chairs and settees were covered in white silk with the inlaid mahogany with such a fine polish that she could see her reflection. She took a final deep breath as he opened the door. She put a smile on her face and lifted her head as she walked into the room.

“Danielle, may I present my father, His Royal Highness, Emir Ali Rahman,” he introduced the regal looking man in an Armani suit. His black and white beard and hair was freshly trimmed.

“Nice to see you again, sir.” Dani boldly held out her hand. He rose and ignored her. Her heart plummeted and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.

“Mohtadi, explain yourself. You told us you were marrying that money grubbing parasite of a girl I met the other day. Then you walk in here with Tony De Luca and this beautiful woman I can only guess to be the heiress of De Luca Winery. What game are you playing and why are you bringing my old friend into it?”

If Dani wasn’t so shocked, she’d laugh out loud. The collective gasp that came from her, her mother, and Mo would have been hilarious if she hadn’t looked over at her father and seen him shake hands with Mo’s father. Now she was just confused.

“Emir,” her father said as they shook hands. “May I introduce my daughter, Danielle Isabella Darina De Luca. Also known as the money grubbing parasite.” Her father’s voice was cold as ice as he stared down a King for her. She couldn’t love her father any more than she did right then. She also knew her future husband would do the exact same for his children. Then she did smile.

“As I said, it’s nice to see you again, sir.” She didn’t give him a second look as she turned to the beautiful woman dressed in a pale pink dress. “You must be Mo’s mother. It is such a pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand and watched as his mother’s face went from confusion to a large smile.