Page 61 of Broken Princess

My heart thumps against the wall of my chest in response to his words, but even though he sounds certain, I know better than to think it's entirely up to us. And sure, we could probably just run away and elope somewhere, but we both know the disastrous consequences that would have on both our families. It might even cause a war.

Considering the fact that Stefan and his father left the church without another word, that's not something I can rule out entirely. Then there's the matter of Kayleigh and Natalie, who are both MIA. I know better than to think either of them is going to just let this go. There will be a warwithinour family, at the very least.

It's a daunting prospect, and one I'm not sure either of us is ready for. But we're going to have to be.

"But there are conditions," Dad says pointedly, looking between us both.

"Indeed," says Mr. Rossi. He's as hard to read as his son, and I don't have nearly as much experience dealing with him.

Lorenzo nods, his face serious. "Of course."

"What are they?" I ask warily.

"The wedding will take place soon. For now, it's going to be a short, simple affair. A courthouse ceremony," Dad answers. "The last thing we need is for the Romeros to think we're throwing a lavish affair in their face, and then your sister..."

I nod eagerly. "That's not a problem." I decide not to admit I'd infinitely prefer it to the alternative.

"There's more," Dad continues. "You will both live here after the wedding, where I can keep an eye on you." He looks over at Lorenzo, just to drive home the point. "And you're going to be working for me until the baby comes."

"He'swhat?" I blurt out.

Dad gives me a scolding look, but I can tell from the way Lorenzo shrugs that this isn't news to him.

"I already agreed to it," he says.

"As have I," says Mr. Rossi. "For one thing, it will strengthen the relationship between our families, which was the sole purpose of the wedding in the first place. That hasn't changed, even if the bride has."

My cheeks grow warm, but I can't really argue with that.

Mr. Rossi continues, "When the baby is born, the three of you will move in with us, where you'll stay until Lorenzo graduates."

I open my mouth to speak, then decide to make sure I know what I'm saying first. I'm walking a tightrope right now. "I'm afraid I don't really understand."

"Given the way this all came about, this isn't going to be the most stable environment to bring a new baby into," Mr. Rossi says pointedly. "You're going to need proper training to be a Mafia wife, and a new mother needs help. Lorenzo's mother is more than eager to provide both of those things, and while I don't want to step on any toes, we are all going to be family soon enough that I feel I can speak candidly and say that I don't believe Mrs. Carillo would be the best source for those things, all things considered."

I swallow hard. He has a point. Even though Natalie was starting to warm up to me a little, I know better than to think it was anything more than opportunism. Now that Kayleigh's wedding fell through because of me, I'm going to be her number one target again.

"That's… fair," I say carefully.

Dad nods. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Yes," Lorenzo and I say at the same time.

They both give me a look like I wasn't meant to chime in on that, which I guess is where that whole "Mafia wife training" thing comes in, but unless Lorenzo's mother is a drill sergeant, I'm pretty sure that's a hopeless cause.

Besides, he knew what he was getting into when he chose me.

"Thank you, Mr. Carillo," Lorenzo says, standing to shake my father's hand. "I'll take care of them both."

"You’d better," Dad says, returning his handshake. His tone is pleasant enough, but there's an underlying steel that makes it clear there will be consequences if Lorenzo doesn't.

Dad and Mr. Rossi shake on it, too, before Mr. Rossi turns to me and holds out his hand. I take it, thinking he wants to shake it, but the glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he turns it over to place a kiss on the back of it instead tells me that's not the case.

"Well, Amelia, I can't say this is how I imagined this day would turn out, but all I really wanted was for my son to take some responsibility and prove he's got the drive and focus to step into his role as the leader of this family,” he says. “One way or another, he's done that, and I suppose I have you to thank."

"That's... very generous of you, Mr. Rossi," I say sheepishly. I'm starting to see where Lorenzo gets the intimidation factor from.

And soon enough, I'm going to be living under this man's roof.

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