Page 49 of Broken Princess

"He talked to you about me, and I assume that's not all," I reply. "I'm sure he told you about why he wants Lorenzo as far away from me as possible."

"Not really, but it wasn't hard to guess," he says in a wry tone. "Considering it's about as far as I'd want my daughter away from him if I were him."

"Lorenzo is a good guy," I say, feeling the need to defend him. "He doesn't deserve any of this."

"He doesn't deserve you," he shoots back. "He's dangerous, Amelia. And as far as husband and father material goes, it doesn't get any further than him. You're too smart not to see that."

I bristle at his words, but being defensive isn't going to convince him. I need to find out what he knows.

"What do you know about the Rossis?" I repeat.

He sighs, as if he knows this is going to be difficult. "Not much more than you. Your father has been at odds with them for years. Is it really any surprise he doesn't want you together?"

"He's fine with it being Kayleigh," I reason.

Stefan's lips press into a firm line, and a strange look enters his eyes. It's only for a moment, but it's enough, and I seize on it immediately.

"What?" I demand. "What aren't you telling me?"

"It's nothing."

"It's obviously something," I press. "What is it?"

He hesitates for a long moment before finally sighing in resignation. "I guess you wouldn't know this, considering how far outside of this world your parents kept you, but... well, how much do you know about how your father and Natalie met?"

I wasn't expecting that question, and it feels like a complete shift in subject, but I answer anyway. "I know they met when she was in college. And I know my dad was already in the mob."

"And her family?"

"The Arcellis?" I ask. At his nod, I continue. "I know they're another Mafia family, but I don't know much else."

"They're arms dealers," he said pointedly. "They have their toes in every aspect of the business from coast to coast, and then some. Her father is connected with manufacturers across the globe, Italy included, and his influence is what allowed the Carillos to become one of the most powerful families in New York."

My eyes widen as I listen. I feel ridiculous admitting that I don't know something so basic about my own family, but honestly, I've never been interested enough in the life to bother asking. Certainly not about Natalie's past.

"So you're saying Dad married her for her family's influence?" I ask, lowering my voice.

"I'm saying that the family—your father in particular—benefitted greatly from the alliance," he answers. "And so did the Arcellis. It was one of the biggest weddings in decades, and there was a lot of pressure to make it go through at any cost. Regardless of what the participants had to give up."

I frown, struggling to make sense of his words. "And what exactly did my father have to give up in order to secure this 'alliance’?"

"Not him," he says pointedly. "Natalie. Rumor had it, she was madly in love with another man from a different family. One that had no shortage of bad blood with hers."

"Who?" I ask, still kind of shell-shocked at the realization that Natalie wasn't the one who seduced my father. She's always just seemed like a typical gold digger, and she hates my mother enough even now that she's in the grave that it seems like she's at least come to love him somewhat. Or maybe she's just possessive. Honestly, I wouldn't put it past her.

"My father," Stefan replies without a trace of sarcasm.

I'm quiet for a long time, trying to process everything he's said. My thoughts are going a mile a minute, and one realization supersedes the next.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I finally ask quietly. "What does this have to do with Lorenzo and Kayleigh?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asks. "Kayleigh isn't really his daughter. At least, that's what everyone used to say."

I'm still reeling from that revelation, but I manage to croak out, "That means she's... your sister?"

His lips crook into a small smile. "Now maybe you'll understand why I find her flirtation so... vexing."

"Yeah," I mutter. "I think I might."

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