Page 30 of Lost Prince

Lazaro lazily buttons his pants. “You are the best dessert.”

I swallow my embarrassment at what I just did. Sure, I’ve had jobs in which someone made advances, but I’d never before given in. I’d never before wanted to, but that’s not the point.

“Yes… well…” I’m not sure how to respond.

He pulls me close, his lips brushing against mine. "Be ready for me at five. I’m taking you out.”

What? Like on a date? I'm both excited and anxious about what that could mean.

"I work until seven?—”

“Not tonight. I'll speak with Anna and make sure you can leave early."

I’m unsettled by this. Everyone will know if he arranges for me to leave early. But as I look into his hazel eyes, I know I can’t deny him.

"Okay. I'll be ready at five."

“Good.”

As Lazaro leaves the kitchen, I'm left with a swirling mix of emotions. Anticipation for our evening together, anxiety about what all this means, not just between me and Lazaro, but for my job.

The kitchen staff begins to trickle back in, their eyes darting between me and the door Lazaro just exited through. Curiosity, fear, and concern are etched on their faces. Some look at me with pity, as if I'm some poor victim, while others seem to be silently judging me.

It hits me that they know exactly what just happened. The burn of embarrassment floods me.

"Are you okay?" Maria whispers to me as I try to focus on work again.

Her question doesn’t make sense to me. “Of course, why?”

“It’s just… Lazaro is a beast.”

The embarrassment is replaced by defensiveness. They don't understand. They don't know Lazaro like I do.

“He’s not,” I snap.

Everyone stops to look at me. Realizing I need to play this down, to act like nothing happened, I force a smile and shake my head. "It's fine, really. There's nothing to worry about."

“Back to work,” Anna commands, much to my relief.

But as we return to our duties, I know my reassurance that all is well has fallen on deaf ears. I see the doubt in their eyes, the way they exchange glances when they think I'm not looking. They don't believe me.

"Poor girl, she doesn't know what she's getting into,” Maria whispers to Janey.

"Did you see the way he looked at her? Like a predator eyeing its prey,” Janey agrees.

"I hope she'll be okay. You know how he can get…"

Their words gnaw at me, each one a reminder of the vast gulf between how they see Lazaro and how I've come to know him.I want to shout at them, to make them understand that there's more to him than his reputation. But what would be the point? They see him as his family sees him… as the world sees him.

I throw myself into my work, trying to drown out their whispers.

When Maria and Janey leave the kitchen to deal with household chores, Anna steps forward to me, leaning in close as if she wants to make sure no one can hear. “The D’Amatos are not a family to cross. But I’m certain that Mr. D’Amato would not put up with Lazaro forcing himself?—”

I spin toward her, shocked at her accusation. “He isn’t forcing himself.”

She studies me, probably thinking I have Stockholm syndrome or something.

“He’s not a beast. He’s not the man you think he is. Not anymore," I defend him.

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