Slow Tango With a Prince (Royal Scandals) (34 page)

“I hate to ask, but do you know what’s going on outside?” Rita angled her thumb toward the large windows that overlooked the front of the building. “There were two police cars out there earlier, and now there are at least a half-dozen news trucks.”

“Really?” Emily strode to the end of the stage nearest the windows, then stood on her tiptoes in order to see the street. Sure enough, several news vans were parked outside. At either end of the short block, she could see the red and blue spinning lights of police cars monitoring access to the street. However, she didn’t see any reporters or cameras. In fact, the block was devoid of people.

“No idea,” she said. “Maybe there’s something going on at the museum across the street? A fundraiser with VIPs in attendance?”

“Probably. Glad we had everyone get here early.”

Speaking of the time, Emily glanced at the slim gold watch on her wrist, then exhaled. “All right. Let’s sell this thing.”

She strode to the middle of the stage, gave everyone a one-minute warning, then watched as they got into position. Though she often introduced segments in one take, speaking live got her heart racing. There’d be no second chances. Rita took her usual spot to the side of the cameraman and counted down the time. At her signal, Emily smiled into the camera and welcomed the audience to the final episode of
At Home Abroad’s
third season. She quickly recapped a few of the locations viewers had the opportunity to see earlier in the year, then reminded them of the previous episode, which had shown several of Buenos Aires’ famous cathedrals and museums, as well as taken viewers on tours of several moderately-priced apartments.

“Tonight, as you might’ve guessed, we’re doing something different. Rather than follow an ex-pat through the city, we’d like to give you, our viewers, an idea of what it would be like to live in Buenos Aires if you had an unlimited budget. We’ll tour several of the city’s most luxurious apartments and give you insights into the neighborhoods where you’ll find them. In addition, you’ll see what makes locals passionate about their city. We’ll take you to a rowdy
fútbol
match and—because my producer twisted my arm—you’ll see me learn to tango. And speaking of my producer, I’d like to thank those who are responsible for the great shows you’ve seen this season.”
 

Crossing the stage, she urged the cameraman to sweep the room. She introduced Rita and several other members of the
At Home Abroad
staff, and said that to kick off their end-of-season finale, they’d visit a gorgeous apartment in Puerto Madero. “It’s all about passion tonight on
At Home Abroad
. We hope you enjoy the experience.”

The video feed cut from the party to the newly edited film of the Puerto Madero neighborhood and the ultra-modern apartment they’d visited. The staff quieted, looking at each other in confusion as the images filled the screen.
 

Ignacio spoke first. “You cut Bob?”

“We did,” Rita replied. “We needed to do something different to draw in viewers and get the network’s attention. This is it.”

Mike ran a hand over his head, then puffed out a breath. He uttered what Emily thought was a curse, but she couldn’t hear him clearly, as he’d dropped his gaze to the floor.

“That footage was spectacular,” Maryam said. “He was a great guest. I’m not questioning your judgment—not at all—but I’m shocked.”

“He was,” Emily said. “And I know it’s a surprise to everyone. But like Rita said, we needed to do something different for the finale. If it’s a bust, blame me. This was my call.”

“It must have been a hell of a lot of work in the editing room,” Mike said.
 

“Hopefully the viewers will be happy with the result.” To the room at large, she said, “Let’s get our party faces back on. The feed goes to commercial, then it’s back to us. Everyone grab a glass of champagne. We’ll have the music turned up” —she signaled the young man working the sound— “and by the end of tonight’s episode, we’ll all be dancing. Give the tango a go if you’re so inclined. And make it passionate! We have one chance to get this right.”

Maryam glanced from Rita to Emily. Lines of concern etched the corners of her eyes, but she nodded and turned to face the room with a smile. “You heard her, everyone! Let’s get this party started!” She let out a whoop and made a beeline for a long table at the side of the room, where the champagne bottles rested on ice and dozens of flutes stood ready to be filled.
 

“Good job on the intro,” Rita said quietly. “Let’s keep it going.”

* * *

“You’re not in it.”

Vittorio didn’t bother looking at Alessandro, who stood beside him watching the live finale of
At Home Abroad
. Shock, gratitude, and a deep sense of relief filled him. At the same time, he wondered what Emily had been thinking to have cut him completely from the episode. The show’s viewers had been conditioned to expect an expatriate guest, one they’d follow on a cultural adventure. Hadn’t Emily constantly told him that a key to the show was to put the audience in the shoes of the guest? Instead, she’d chosen to focus on the city and its heritage, the thrill of its sporting events and the vibrancy of its music and dancing scenes, the quiet beauty of its parks, and the variety of its high-end residences.

The only footage they’d used of him so far were a couple quick glimpses of his back as he’d danced with Emily. Even then, Vittorio’s focus was drawn to the expression on Emily’s face as she allowed herself to be caught up in the passion of the dance. He imagined that the show’s fans would be mesmerized, as well. It wasn’t every day they saw this side of their host’s personality.

Vittorio felt his brother’s hand on his shoulder, then Alessandro leaned in close to Vittorio’s ear. “There’s time to back out. Allow the network head to make his announcement, but cut our video. No one has seen it but the two of us and Mother’s cameraman. I’ll get on the phone to stop the broadcast in Sarcaccia.”

Vittorio pushed back the question of why Emily had done it to address his brother. “We’re keeping it.”

Alessandro released his grip and stepped away, his surprise palpable. “You don’t need to do this.”

“I do.” Vittorio kept from meeting Alessandro’s eyes, instead turning at the sound of approaching footsteps. James Owens was in his mid-fifties, a native New Yorker. He wore a smartly-pressed navy suit with a lemon yellow tie. His shoes were polished to a high shine and his graying hair had been neatly groomed. When he spoke, his words were friendly, but measured. Though he kept a busy schedule, he’d taken Vittorio’s call a few days earlier, then invited Vittorio to New York once Vittorio explained how the Barrali family could raise the network’s profile. All in all, Owens was a typical network executive. If a proposal would increase the company’s coffers, he was willing to consider it.

He gave each of the brothers a polite nod. Vittorio could tell that Owens wasn’t sure which twin was which, so he saved the man embarrassment by stepping forward. “Alessandro and I are glad you could meet with us. Thank you for taking my call. This will be a win-win for both your network and my country.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Your Highness,” he said, extending his hand first to Vittorio, then to Alessandro. “I’m honored you came to personally address our audience.”

“The feed is set?” Alessandro asked. “Once Prince Vittorio finishes speaking, he only needs to give the cue?”

“That’s all,” Owens assured them. He peeked through the curtain that had been erected behind the stage and gave Rita a sign. “Looks like we have about thirty seconds. They don’t know you’re with me. It will be quite a surprise.”

“Appropriate that it’s a party, then.”
 

Vittorio could hear Emily speaking to the camera, wrapping up the final segment. “Before we go, I’ve been asked to grant the microphone to a very important person, a man without whom this entire season would be impossible. Please welcome our network president and CEO, Mr. James Owens.”

Owens parted the curtain and jogged up the stairs to the stage. Before the curtain fell closed behind him, Vittorio snagged a glimpse of Emily. A broad smile lit her face as Owens approached her. She looked even more stunning in person than she did on the backstage television monitor.
 

“You’re in love with her.” Alessandro’s voice was barely above a whisper. “That’s why you’re doing this.”

“You have no idea what—”

“I know you as well as I know myself.” A low grunt escaped Alessandro. “Guess that explains why she cut you from the show.”

Finally, Vittorio angled his head to meet his brother’s assessing gaze. “What are you talking about?”

“Sophia was right when she said there was no reason for Emily to keep your identity quiet. Her career is at stake—her whole show is at stake—and you handed her the story of a lifetime. But she did keep your secret, and there can only be one explanation for it. She loves you.”

Vittorio had no time to respond. James Owens’ voice came through the microphone loud and clear, announcing that the network had decided to renew
At Home Abroad
, which sent thunderous cheers through the room. Over the din, he said, “We have two very special guests here to announce the location for season four.”

Knowing it was his cue, Vittorio parted the curtain. At the opposite end of the stage, Emily had her face turned toward Rita, an expression of joy over the renewal morphing to a questioning raise of her brow. Vittorio assumed it was because the two women had always determined where the show would be filmed. He hoped they wouldn’t mind having their role usurped, given what Emily had revealed about the destinations they were considering.

“May I present His Highness, Prince Vittorio of Sarcaccia, and his twin brother, Prince Alessandro!”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Emily ripped her gaze from Rita to James Owens. She couldn’t have heard him properly. But she had. Without thinking, she pressed a hand to her stomach. Shock over hearing that her decision-making power was being torn away was quickly replaced by shock over the sight in front of her. The twins strode across the stage, one behind the other, to resounding applause from the excited, flabbergasted staff. Though they wore slightly different suits—one a shade darker gray than the other—the men were as identical as two human beings could be. They each had close-cropped jet-black hair, golden eyes framed by long, thick lashes, and a broad-shouldered, lean-hipped build. Before they made it across the stage, Emily knew which was which. Vittorio’s intelligent gaze had haunted her dreams for months. Now that she could see them together, she realized that Vittorio’s brows were straighter across than his twin’s. And there was no denying the recognition in Vittorio’s eyes as he shot a quick glance her way before accepting the microphone from James.

“Thank you for such a warm welcome. As you can guess by my presence and that of my brother, Alessandro, next season you’ll experience what it’s like to be at home abroad on the island nation of Sarcaccia.”

The crowd in front of the stage erupted. In the midst of the din, Emily heard Ignacio say the name “Bob,” then Mike saying, “Are you kidding me? I went to a soccer match with a prince? Which one?” He said more, something about what Rita knew and when, but it was lost in the noise. Emily didn’t turn to look at them. Her gaze remained locked on Vittorio.
 

How could she not have recognized him? True, he looked vastly different with a clean-shaven face. But it was more than that. It was in his carriage, his facial expressions, his smooth, commanding voice. This was a man who knew he was destined to rule a country and took the obligation seriously. He was also a man used to getting exactly what he wanted. She suspected that what he wanted in this case was to control the story. Not the story she told in her episode, but his own story.

To the camera, Vittorio said, “As you can hear from the reactions in this room, this news comes as a surprise to the entire
At Home Abroad
family. To explain how this came to be, I’d like to show you what is being broadcast at this very moment on Sarcaccian television. It’s quite late there, but I felt it was important to explain to my countrymen at the same time I explain it to you, the fans of this wonderful show.”

Vittorio gestured to the man running the feed, and the screen switched to a newscast in Sarcaccia. Vittorio was on the screen, sitting in a chair in what appeared to be a hotel room, with Alessandro in a matching chair on his left. Vittorio said a couple words in Italian that appeared to be the end of a speech. He smiled, then said, “and now in English, for those of you in America who are watching the finale of
At Home Abroad
’s Argentina season.”

Emily’s mouth went dry as dust as Vittorio crossed the stage to stand beside her. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered, grateful she didn’t sound as rattled as she felt. “How long have you planned this?”

“Just watch.”

On the screen, Vittorio said, “Many reports covered the fact that my brother, Alessandro, was away from late October through mid-March. During that time, our family was repeatedly questioned about his location. We responded that we were not worried and that it is common for Alessandro to leave for months at a time. Both of those statements are true. When he was reported to be home in mid-March, I stated at a press conference that he had been working on a project at my behest. Now it’s time to reveal the details of that project, one I believe will greatly benefit our country’s economy.”