Page 8 of Lorenzo & Lily

“A little. I told her you had to go away for a long while, but that you loved her and missed her.” She looked away. “I didn’t tell her you were a prince. I didn’t show her pictures, because you and your family are in the press so much and she might have seen them and made the connection. I didn’t want–”

He couldn’t take anymore. “We’ll talk about it tonight.” He took a step towards her and she stepped back again.

His anger trickled back. “Don’t run away from me,” he murmured and she stood stock still. “Don’t fucking run away from me. You know I’d never hurt you or my daughter. You fucking know it.”

“I know,” she said quickly. “I was just–”

Jones cleared his throat more urgently.

“We’re not alone here, it’s not safe.” He turned his head down the beach. “Liliana? Come here, princess.”

Lily gasped – likely at his use of Liliana’s title – but he ignored it.

His little girl came running towards him, her hair flying and her smile infectious. She hadn’t learned to slow down yet, as she ran right into his legs and, if he hadn’t braced, would have likely fallen over.

His girl had strength.

His girl.

Holy shit.This was his little girl. He was her father. Her Papa. His heart clenched tight again.

He cleared his throat and ran a hand over her soft hair. “Did you find me a pretty shell?”

She held up her palm and showed him two small shells, one with colors that faded from white into a soft, pastel pink, and the other faded from white into a brilliant orange.

“They’re beautiful, princess.”

She beamed and her little girl light shined brighter than the rising sun.

He couldn’t help but smile back. “May I keep these? I’d like to keep one and give the other to a friend of mine.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“I think so. My friend is very sad, and I know your shell will make him feel happy. Which one should I give him?”

She tilted her head to the side, then straightened. “Pink! Pink is happy.”

It was hard to argue with that. “Pink it is. Since you helped me so much today, how about I come visit you tonight and tell you about my castle? That way you’ll know all about it before you come to visit. Would you like that?”

She jumped up and down. “Yes!”

“Good, princess,” he said softly. He ran one more hand over her head, memorizing as much of her gorgeous, miraculous face as he could, then turned to Lily. “Seven.”

Lily nodded. “Seven.”

“Bye, princess.”

“Bye!” she said as he walked away. Every cell in his body rebelled against leaving her, but he didn’t have a choice. If any of the people on the beach recognized him and took a picture, none of them would be safe from the tabloids or the wrath of the press that would follow.

He ran back towards the castle alongside Jones, and made security plans for both of his Lilys.

Now, he just had to keep his family from finding out what he was up to. He would tell them, but not until after his daughter was told. Until then, he had to keep his mouth shut, which would be extremely difficult since he wanted to shout the news from the fucking rooftops.

He could wait. Hewouldwait. Then they’d see.

* * *

Lily watchedLorenzo run down the beach, the muscles in his back shifting, his shoulders rolling, his calves and thighs – what she could see of them – leaner than she’d expected. He’d always been fit, but he seemed a little too lean from what she’d remembered of him, and she remembered a lot. Probably too much.

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