Page 25 of Lorenzo's Claim

After we said our goodbyes, Chad drove me home, the dread creeping in as we neared the house.

“You’re quiet, you alright?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“I’m fine, just thinking.” He didn’t push or pry. He always knew not to if I didn’t go into detail.

He pulledup outside the front steps and my heart sank at the thought of coming face-to-face with Lorenzo’s asshole attitude. All I genuinely wanted was to lose myself between the sheets and have a good night's sleep.

“I’ll see you soon.” I smiled, putting on a front for Chad, not wanting him to worry.

His smile mirrored my own, but there was more concern behind his than mine.

As I made my way up the steps, Gino appeared at the front door. It didn’t take long for me to realise he was trying to warn me about the mood Lorenzo was in.

“No Red?” I asked, Gino’s eyes widening at the question. “Oh, come on, Gino. I know he was tailing me all damn day. Maybe next time Lorenzo should send someone whose hair doesn’t need its own warning.”

“He’s not happy, you know.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“He never seems to be.” I walked around him, but then he gently stopped me.

“Anastacia, he’s… How do I put this?”

“Ignorant, difficult,an asshole? I can continue if you’d like?” I asked as he let out a long, steady breath.

“Just maybe give him a chance. I know he’s difficult, and he needs to work on his temper, but believe me. He’s not as bad as you think.” He sighed.

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I wanted to dart to my room in an effort to go unnoticed.

But that was wishful thinking.

“Ana-fucking-stacia!”

Here we go… Round one.

9

“She’s just pulling in, Boss,”Finn notified me as the news fed through his earpiece.

“Wonderful. Gino, go get the door for her but don’t speak to her,” I ordered. “The rest of you, make yourself scarce. I don’t want to see a single one of you loitering around, understand?” I snapped, stubbing my cigarette out in the ashtray.

“Understood, Boss,” they said in unison before scurrying off like ants.

I was ready to lose my shit the second I saw her. She’d gone against my word and disappeared all day without her phone. The one that was still smashed to bits on my desk.

I had smoked more cigarettes today than any other day. The stress that woman caused me was going to send me into an early grave.

I could be patient and lenient but not with her. It was too damn hard. Red had kept me up to date on her whereabouts. Every single move she made, I knew about. She knew he was there. He didn’t try to hide it, and I wanted it that way. I wanted her to know she’d never escape me.

As I rounded the corner to the foyer, I saw her ascending the stairs. As instructed, my men made themselves unnoticeable.

“Ana-fucking-stacia!” I shouted as her body stilled in place on the third step. “What time do you call this?!”

She glanced at her watch before turning to face me. “It’s actually?—”

“Don’t be smart,” I sighed in frustration, she could barely hide her amusement. “Is something funny?”

“Just how worked up you are. I went out and came back to this hellhole. Does it matter what the time is?!” She turned on her heel, climbing each step faster than the last.

“Don’t walk away from me!” I called after her, but did she stop? Of course not.

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