Page 74 of Lorenzo & Lily

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. “What could she possibly tell me about you or Papa?”

His mother pursed her lips.

“Will you be civil to Lily tonight?”

His parents looked at each other.

He didn’t want to say it, but it had to be said. “If you find later that you can’t be civil, then be silent or eat in your rooms.”

His siblings collectively gasped, except for Alex. “Let’s all take a breath here.”

Irritation was bubbling underneath the surface. “Alex, I can handle this.”

“I–”

“Alex,” Rebecca said softly and squeezed his hand.

Alex pursed his lips but nodded. “Of course, Lorenzo. My apologies.”

Lorenzo was sure his mouth had fallen open, shocked as he was that someone in his family actually listened to him. “Right. Well, I meant what I said. Now, will you be civil tonight, or do I need to make alternate dinner arrangements for you?”

His mother started to say something, but his father took her hand, silencing her. “Of course we’ll be kind, my son.”

It took a few more moments before his mother sighed. “Of course we can be civil. Lorenzo, we only want–”

“Complete and utter control over my life?”

“No, my son, of course not.”

“You’ve all been treating me like glass since I got out of the army. Sometimes it’s been subtle. Sometimes it’s been overt. Every time you’ve done it makes me feel like shit.”

His mother gasped. “Lorenzo.”

He just shook his head. “It’s the truth. I need your support. However, I don’t need you to carry me, or pester me, or treat me like I can’t even tie my shoes in the morning. Show me a little goddamned respect, will you? In front of my daughter, at least, if you can’t seem to manage it anywhere else.”

“My son.”

Lorenzo held up a hand. “Papa, please. Not now. I think we all need a break. We’ll serve dinner in a few hours. Let’s meet back here at six and I’ll introduce you to the newest members of our family.”

As Lorenzo turned to leave, Marcello called him. “We should take a few minutes to go over the dock meeting tonight. With Alex going along, we need to discuss increased security.”

“Alexander, what is this?” their mother asked. “It’s not safe for you.”

Alex looked as irritated as Lorenzo probably did when their Mama mother-henned him. “I’ll be fine, Mama. It’s not like I haven’t been in tense situations before.”

“This isn’t the army.”

“I was actually referring to our weekly Royal Council meetings. Since various Council members have tried to kill some of us – either directly or indirectly – those meetings are much more dangerous than the meeting tonight.”

Though some of the brothers chuckled, the majority of the room didn’t, including their father.

“My son, this is different. The docks are not as secure as a Council room.”

Alex sighed. “Papa, I need to be seen addressing this problem. I can’t do that from Valentia.”

Lorenzo checked the time, then decided to move things along. Though there was plenty of time until dinner, he needed a break from his family. “Look, Alex is going. It’s his decision and he’s made it.”

Lorenzo pinned Marcello with his gaze. “I’ve already spoken to the security team who’ll be going with us tonight. We’re leaving from the front gate, as there’s no reason to hide we’re trying to avert the strike. I’ll message my contacts at the union to confirm the meet’s still on – it’s possible they want to cancel because of all the press I’m getting today – but, other than that, everything’s set, including security.”

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