Page 27 of Broken Princess

I hesitate, leaning back in my seat as the car pulls up in front of Lorenzo's building. "You've got it all figured out, haven't you?"

"Of course," he says without missing a beat. As the driver goes for our things, Lorenzo comes around to open my door and offers his hand. I reluctantly take it, since getting up on my own is a bit harder than before.

I try not to think about the warmth of his hand in mine as he leads me toward the building, which is fortunately quiet. He releases my hand as we approach the front doors, and the doorman greets us both pleasantly before we head upstairs.

When Lorenzo unlocks the door and motions for me to enter his apartment, I feel a bit like I'm crossing the threshold to the underworld.

"I'll get your things from your dorm room later," Lorenzo says, shutting and locking the door behind us.

I know it's a security measure, and not an unreasonable one, all things considered, but the man I'm trapped inside with is far more dangerous. Just in a very different way.

"Thanks," I say, finding myself awkwardly standing in the middle of the living room. I try not to think of everything we did on that couch.

Or against the wall.

Or in the bedroom.

"Make yourself at home. You can have the bedroom," he says, nodding toward the door.

I blink, looking around the spacious yet open layout. "Where are you going to stay?"

"The couch," he says with a shrug.

It takes me a second to realize he's serious. I am surprised, honestly. Not that he's not making me sleep on the couch or anything. He's much too chivalrous for that, but I would've thought he would be using the opportunity to try to sleep in the same bed again.

I tell myself I'm relieved, and I am grateful, but I'm just…

Man, I really need some sleep.

"I think I'm going to go take a shower, then, and get some rest," I tell him. "I'm sure Anthony is going to want to meet up later."

"He can come here," Lorenzo says firmly. When he sees me about to argue, he adds, "I'll leave so you can talk privately. Just humor me, okay? Just this once?"

I can't help but sigh in resignation. "Okay. Fine."

It feels like the least I owe him, considering the fact that he got shot at because of me. I walk back into the bedroom and take a hot shower with the limited energy I have. Even though I slept for most of the flight, I still feel exhausted, and I'm not even sure a solid eight hours would do anything to put a dent in that.

Nonetheless, I find myself laying awake, staring up at the ceiling for a long time.

And thinking about the man in the next room.

So close, but a thousand miles away.

Is that how it's destined to be forever?

CHAPTER 14

AMELIA

Lorenzo kept his promise about leaving me alone when Anthony comes over, so I find myself sitting alone in the living room with my best friend, trying to recount firsthand everything that happened. Easier said than done when it all just feels like one big, impossible blur.

It feels like a dream—or rather, a nightmare for most of it—and I'm still struggling to come to terms with it myself.

Anthony listens in rapt attention, and I can't tell much from his expression, other than the fact that he seems as shocked as I am about most of it.

"Holy shit," he finally murmurs.

"Yeah," I sigh, curling up on the couch with my cup of tea. It's herbal, no caffeine. I seriously miss coffee. The second I give birth, I'm going to drink a whole water tower's worth of the shit. With extra cream and sugar. "That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter."

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