Page 35 of Broken Princess

I'm still standing here in silence, staring at him like he's just said it all in Greek, because as far as his words making any sense to my logical mind, he might as well have.

Someone knocks at the door before I have the chance to gather my thoughts, and Dad's hand falls away as he turns to face it.

"Come in," he calls, as if he's been expecting whoever it is.

I'm sure it's one of the servants. Maybe even Natalie, and I wouldn't be shocked to find that he called Lorenzo here, either, so he can ream the both of us out at once. Even if this isn't exactly the scathing lecture I expected I would be on the receiving end of by now...

The one contingency I'm not prepared for is the very man who opens the door.

I open my mouth to speak, but it lingers open for a few seconds before I gain the presence of mind to speak.

"Stefan?"

CHAPTER 17

AMELIA

All I can do is stare for a moment at the man who just walked through the door to my father's office. "Stefan? What are you doing here?"

"I asked him to come," Dad says, going over to close the door. "Please, have a seat."

Stefan gives me an apologetic glance and nods before walking over to take the other chair in front of Dad's desk. Dad returns to his spot behind the desk, and motions for me to sit down as well.

I do, if only because I'm not sure I trust my balance at the moment. What the hell is going on? Am I dreaming?

No… this is just weird enough to be real life. Mine, at least.

"I'm sorry, exactly what does Stefan have to do with this?" I ask, looking between them. Stefan doesn't look nearly as confused as I am, which immediately has me suspicious.

"Everything," Dad answers. He glances over at the other man. "I'm sure that by now, you're aware of the problems Stefan left behind back in Italy.”

I do a double take to look at Stefan, surprised anyone is speaking so candidly about the matter, even if it is Dad, who can get away with a lot more than most.

Still, he's intent on making allies out of the Romeros, and I have to wonder if it has something to do with the fact that there is no goodwill lost between them and the Rossi family.

"I know the rumors," I say carefully, watching Stefan, who's watching me closely in return. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Plenty," Dad answers. "There's one thing that you and Stefan have in common, and that's the fact that you both have something to hide." He must be able to tell I'm about to protest, because he holds a hand up and continues. "This isn't the time for debate, Amelia. I've already filled Stefan in on the basics of what's going on. He knows you're pregnant."

"He what?" I cry. "Since when?"

Stefan certainly doesn't seem surprised, so I'm inclined to believe he's telling the truth about that. The question is, if Dad wants to keep this a secret, why the hell would he go and come clean about this, of all things, to the man he seems to want me to marry, of all people?

"Recently," Stefan answers. "I'm sorry about discussing any of this behind your back, but your father did bring up a rather interesting proposition."

"A proposition?" I ask warily, glancing over at Dad. "I can't wait to hear what it is."

"The two of you will be married," Dad answers, like that isn't completely insane. Expecting me to get married to a guy I barely even know, no matter how nice he seems. "As soon as possible."

"You’ve got to be kidding," I say with a dry laugh. When I look between them and find not a trace of amusement on either man's face, I realize otherwise.

Granted, Dad is not exactly known for his sense of humor, but a joke seems infinitely more likely than… whatever the hell this is. A set up, for sure. I just don't know to what ends.

"It's Lorenzo's baby," I protest. It seems like we should start there, considering that should be the fact that renders the rest of this absolutely absurd, even in their eyes.

"That's precisely the point," Dad says, as if that makes any sense whatsoever. "As far as anyone is concerned, it's not Lorenzo's baby. It's Stefan's. And the wedding will simply corroborate the matter."

"You've lost your mind," I murmur, more as a realization out loud than an insult. It's the only thing that could possibly explain what he's doing. There is no way he has arrived at any of this logically, that's for damn sure. "Exactly how is this supposed to benefit anyone?"

---