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For a moment, no one spoke, and then Slash stepped forward. “The two names you seek are Remus and Romulus, R and R, twins and the mythical founders of Rome.”

For a moment, Brando didn’t say anything, and then he started clapping. “Bravo. You have done it. You’ve successfully completedallthe escape room challenges this castle offered. I commend you on your creativity, ingenuity, and logical thinking. Well done, everyone. Well done, indeed.”

He spread out his hands. “And now, for one final puzzle—and no worries, all will be revealed without any additional work on your part.” He smiled and clapped his hands twice. “I now present to you the owner of Castrum Augustus and the designer of the escape rooms, Mr. Dante Zachetti himself.”

Chapter Fifty-Three

Lexi Carmichael

We looked toward the dining room door, the kitchen, and then at Lorenzo, waiting for Zachetti’s entrance, but no one entered. Puzzled, we shifted uneasily on our feet until Slash abruptly crossed the room and thrust out his hand.

“Mr. Zachetti, it’s an honor to officially meet you.”

Brando clasped Slash’s hand, shaking it. “I assure you, young man, the pleasure is all mine. Please call me Dante.”

Wait, what? Brando Porizio, the gamemaster, is Dante Zachetti himself?

There was a lot of murmuring in the room before Dante spoke again. “I apologize for the deception. I wanted a firsthand look at the family who decided to take on challenges that no one in the world, to date, had been able to solve. You,allof you, far exceeded my expectations in every way. The data you provided with your unique approaches and creative thinking to solving the puzzles has proven invaluable to me.”

I looked up at the portrait of a younger Dante Zachetti, wondering how I’d missed it. I could now see the resemblance, even though his hair was longer, thinner, and grayer, and he no longer had a beard. He’d completely fooled me, and the rest of us.

So, in a way, he’d won, too.

“You got me on that one,” I admitted. “I had no idea.”

“You disguised yourself as the gamemaster so you could personally watch us work our way through the rooms?” Dad asked, still in disbelief.

“Si,” Dante replied. “I’ll be honest with you. I sincerely did not believe you’d solve even one puzzle. Watching your minds work and how well you played to your strengths and creativity has inspired me.”

“Well, we do have a wide a range of complementary talents and skills,” Dad said. “A lawyer, computer and math experts, a military marksman, a priest, puzzle lovers, a nurse, a teacher, businessmen, and even a teenager. There’s more, but you get the idea.”

Dante dipped his head. “I do, indeed.” He nodded to Lorenzo, who disappeared out of the dining room without a word. “Now, I’m not the only the surprise guest at dinner tonight. Instead, we have a far more esteemed and distinguished guest with us. I’ve been informed that this guest considers himself a part of your family, as well. Please, welcome the Holy Father. Welcome to Castrum Augustus, Your Holiness.”

The pope strolled into the dining room without escort, dressed in his traditional white cassock with an attachedpellegrina, or cape, which was embroidered with the papal coat of arms. A pectoral cross suspended from a golden cord hung around his neck, and he wore red shoes and a white skullcap. His eyes searched the room, lighting up when he saw Father Armando, Slash, and then me. A huge smile crossed his face.

Zachetti immediately went to one knee, but the pope urged him to rise, and the two men warmly shook hands. Slash knelt, too, kissing the pope’s ring before rising. The pope engulfed Slash in a warm hug, patting him on the back several times.

I glanced over at my mom, who looked shocked. Vittoria, Alessa, and Mia wore matching awestruck expressions. Mia and Juliette both knelt, and I gave a small curtsy.

The pope held out his hands, as if ready to bestow a blessing on us. “Please, I ask you not to engage in formalities with me tonight, as this is not an official event. I humbly wish to take my place among family, as that is who you are to me. I hope that you will indulge me tonight and treat me as one of your own.” He looked over at me. “Lexi, so good to see you again. How are you?”

I’d never seen my mom’s eyes go so wide as when he called me by my first name. She threw me a glance that clearly indicated I had some explaining to do. A stunned expression had also settled on Dad’s face as he looked between Slash, the pope, and me.

“I’m fine, thank you, Holy Father. It’s great to see you again.” Suddenly I wondered if he would make a comment mentioning how disappointed he was Slash and I got married in the rain forest, even though he knew we were having a church wedding in the spring. I paused, uncertain if I should say anything further or try to explain proactively.

He crooked his finger, urging me to come closer. When I stepped up next to him, he kissed me heartily on both cheeks and whispered conspiratorially in my ear. “I can’t wait to hear all about your rain forest adventure. Make some time this evening for us to chat.”

Relief swept through me, and I stepped back, nodding and giving him a thumbs-up.

“Well, now that His Holiness is here, I’d like to make an announcement,” Zachetti said. “In honor of his visit, and your outstanding—if not astonishing—performance on the challenges, I intend to make a substantial donation to the Catholic Church toward the founding of a brand-new orphanage to be built in Salerno, Italy, and named in honor of one of the church’s newest saints, Cristian Descantes.”

Everyone cheered and clapped enthusiastically, no one more than the pope. I noticed there had been no mention of a wager, but I saw the twinkle in the pope’s eyes as he glanced at me. I looked at Slash, and he smiled, taking my hand, and squeezing it gently. He hadn’t told his family that he’d identified his biological father yet, but I knew he was going to take the opportunity to do so while we were all here together. I thought Zachetti’s donation would be a perfect segue for that.

“As promised, the engaged couple will have free rein of my island, including my staff and my personal yacht for a period of ten days following their wedding.”

“Does that include special nocturnal visits to the Virgin Mary fountain?” I called out, grinning. Vittoria laughed, and Gio threw a napkin at me and promptly got scolded by his mother for it.

“What about the beehives?” Oscar added, and it was my turn to laugh and cover my face with my hands.