Page 65 of Broken Princess

As elated as I've been since Dad agreed to let me marry Lorenzo, there's been that lingering fear in the back of my mind about what it will mean for our families. Especially after the way Mr. Romero was at the wedding.

"It's an assurance," he says with a shrug, looking between me and Lorenzo. "That if there is any conflict between our families in the future, the Romeros won't be the ones to throw the first stone."

"And your father is okay with you doing this?" Lorenzo asks doubtfully.

Stefan just smiles again. "Well, he's been gone since this morning, so I didn't get the chance to ask him, but I'll be the head of the family soon enough. Unfortunately for him, any arrangement the eldest son makes in his stead is still bound by honor."

Lorenzo blows a puff of air through his nostrils. "Well, I don't have a spare key, so I guess my word will have to do, but the Rossis won't be throwing any stones, either."

"Good enough for me," Stefan replies. He looks up as some of the other guests have already taken to the makeshift dance floor in the main room, and music starts to play. "I don't suppose asking for a dance with the bride would fall within that truce?"

"I wouldn't push it," Lorenzo says with a stiff smile.

Stefan sighs, but it's a half-hearted disagreement on both ends. The closest either of them is ever going to get to saying there are no hard feelings.

"Well, in that case..." Stefan turns to Anthony—who's at once probably been standing guard in case he needs to separate them and because he's a glutton for drama—and offers his hand. "How about you?"

Anthony stares at him blankly, like he's not sure if he's joking. "I'm sorry, what?"

"May I have this dance?" Stefan clarifies.

I think Anthony’s operating system has stopped working, because he just continues to stand there for a few seconds before he finally takes Stefan's hand and mutters, "Sure, whatever. But I'm leading."

"That's up for debate," Stefan protests, following him out onto the dance floor.

I turn to look up at Lorenzo, and we just stare at each other for a moment before I snicker, leaning into him. "Well, that was unexpected."

Lorenzo slips an arm around me to pull me to his side and tilts his head as he looks after them. "I don't know, I can kind of see it." He turns, taking my hand and pulling me toward the others. "Now I have you all to myself."

I smile as he puts his other hand on my right hip, leading us out. "Forever," I agree. "You sure you're not going to get bored?"

"Not a chance in hell," he says without hesitation, even though I was half-teasing.

As I fall into step with him, I really do feel like I'm living in a fairy tale. One that’s too good to be true, but if it is a dream, I don't want to wake up from it.

"You know, you're a really good dancer," I say.

"You sound surprised," he says dryly.

"You seem more like the fighting type than the dancing type," I admit.

"A real man can do both," Lorenzo counters, amusement shining in his eyes.

I laugh, resting my head on his shoulder as the music slows. As I watch our friends and family gathered together, celebrating a day I honestly thought would never come, it all feels so surreal. So perfect.

I catch a glimpse of Anthony and Stefan, who are still dancing together even though it's been a few songs already. Stefan has definitely won the battle of taking the lead, but Anthony doesn't seem to mind. Stefan is presently laughing harder than I've ever seen him laugh at something Anthony just said.

Probably something raunchy, knowing Anthony.

I realize I'm not the only one watching them, either, although Jeff is more fuming than observing from the other side of the room with a drink in his hand.

Well,that'scertainly going to be interesting.

I scan the crowd looking for my father, but when I realize he's nowhere to be found, I grow nervous.

"Something wrong?" Lorenzo asks.

"No, nothing," I say, kissing him before I pull away. "I'll be right back, okay?"

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