Page 44 of Lorenzo & Lily

Chapter Eight

Lorenzo typically drove, even with a protection agent. He loved the freedom and the control it provided. It was another liability issue – if he got in an accident and someone else was harmed, God forbid, or even if they weren’t – he could face some serious legal issues and the family could be scrutinized even further in the court of public opinion.

Today, however, with so much on his mind, he let his agent drive. Now that it wasn’t just himself at risk anymore, he’d have to give up this little bit of freedom. Yet, with his little girl, he had a feeling he’d be getting much more in return.

On the way back to the castle, he called Rio and explained the situation. He wanted to tell his parents first – and these things were best not discussed on phones anyway – but he didn’t have a choice. He didn’t have time to swing by Rio’s apartment, so on the phone it would have to be. Though he could tell Rio was shocked, he was also damn good at his job. Lorenzo knew he could trust him, and Rio would help him with whatever was needed.

He arrived in his chambers a little later, surprised to see none of his family lurking about. It was rather late, he supposed, but he expected to see at least one brother lying in wait for him. If they were sleeping, he was sorry for it; they wouldn’t get any sleep once they found out what was happening.

He tossed aside his jacket, then linked his hands together and stretched his arms. He rolled his head and stretched his neck, then rolled his shoulders back. Simple things he often did before running – unless he was running from a dream – and they helped to calm him a little now.

His heart pounded faster as he opened the video messaging application on his phone. His hands were just a little shaky when he tapped the screen to dial his mother. They’d be sleeping, he knew, and would expect the worst – especially from him – but he had no choice. Everything had changed for him, and his parents, the first people he ever loved in the world, deserved to know why.

His mother, Genevieve’s, face, still shaking off sleep, appeared in view. Her dark blonde hair, which she’d passed onto Marcello, was mussed but only slightly. She was graceful and beautiful; even as a son he recognized that.

“Lorenzo? Has something happened? What’s wrong?”

“Hi, Mama. Is Papa awake? There’s something you both need to know.”

Her face turned as she sat up, her hand disappearing for a moment from view. “He’s getting up.”

“How was he feeling today?”

His mother’s eyes narrowed. “It’s that sort of news?”

“Yes. Good news, though. I’m quite happy about it, and I hope you are, too, once you know it.”

“Oh. Well. All right. He had a good day.”

A gruff voice called from off-screen. “Heis right here.” The camera turned and his father, Gabriel’s, irritated face came into view as he took the phone from his mother. It was comforting to see his father’s salt-and-pepper hair with matching mustache. His face was wrinkled with sleep, though his eyes were clear. It felt good to see his father recovering. His heart filled with emotion at the thought that, if his heart attack had been more severe, Lorenzo would be telling this news to just his mother.

“I don’t appreciate my family talking about me behind my back.”

“Calm down, Gabriel,” his mother said as the screen now filled with both of their faces.

“My dear, I will not calm down.”

“Do you want to hear our son’s news or not?”

His father’s mustache twitched, then he nodded. “Well, my son?”

He took a deep breath, then smiled. “I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming grandparents again.”

His parents shared a glance then turned to him. “Indeed, my son?”

His smile faded a little; he should have known they’d likely first want details before celebrating. He wouldn’t let it get to him; he was proud of his daughter, and he knew they would be, too.

He fleetingly wondered if his parents already knew about Lily and Liliana, or if they’d been the ones to interfere five years ago. He’d have to watch their reactions closely. “You have a four-year-old granddaughter.”

“Is that so?” his father asked. His mother remained uncharacteristically silent.

“Yes, and before you even ask, I didn’t know. The mother didn’t tell me. I just found out recently, as in this morning. Both her and Liliana – that’s my daughter – are moving into the castle tomorrow, so they can be better protected. The press will catch wind of it if we don’t head them off first. It’s a miracle that no one’s discovered it already.”

His father cleared his throat. “Have you told your brothers?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “I wanted you to know first. I’ll wake them up after this and tell them.”

Genevieve clutched her husband’s hand. “What about the mother?”

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