Page 30 of Broken Princess

"You know, you could always just quit," I reason.

"Sure, and you could quit the academy," he says dryly in return. "The one is about as easy as the other."

"Point made," I say, leaning in to hug him when he walks over.

"Take care, and stay strong," Anthony says pointedly. I don't even need to ask to know he means Lorenzo.

"Planning on it."

He waves as he opens the door, and a couple of minutes later, Lorenzo comes back into the apartment. Just long enough for him to pretend like he wasn't waiting right outside. I can't help but be amused that he's trying.

"Hey," he says casually.

"Hi," I reply, watching him. "Were you just waiting outside?"

He blinks as if he wasn't expecting me to ask that. "What? No." When I make it clear I don't believe him, he adds, "Okay, so maybe I was down the hall, but I wasn't listening or anything. You can't blame me for not wanting to leave you for too long."

"I guess not," I concede. "Any word from my father?"

"No, but I assume he would probably call you first."

"You know what they say about assuming," I mumble.

Lorenzo wanders over, settling on the couch on the other side of me. He really is taking the whole distance thing seriously. I guess he's afraid if he doesn't, I'm going to try to leave again.

The truth is, I'm not sure I have that kind of resolve anymore. Leaving the first time was difficult enough. And that was before I knew how dangerous it was out there.

At least, for me.

"He's a dick, but I'm sure he loves you," Lorenzo says carefully. "Mob guys aren't known for being the warm and fuzzy types."

"There's warm and fuzzy, and then there's Miceli Carillo."

"Fair enough," says Lorenzo.

"Besides," I continue, "he has an easy enough time being a decent dad to Kayleigh. She's always been his little princess. I'm just his dirty little secret."

"That's not what you are," Lorenzo says.

I give him a pointed look. "You, of all people, are going to argue that?"

He grimaces. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah," I say, starting to get up from the couch. Lorenzo leaps up immediately and helps me to my feet. "I'm fine. I'm just going to go rest."

It's a lie, of course. I have rested more than I care to for the next hundred years. I know he's not going to argue with that, though.

"Okay," he says. "Do you need anything? I could make you food, if you're hungry. Or order in. That's probably a safer bet."

I smile a little. I have to admit, this new, attentive side of Lorenzo is kind of endearing. That's a problem in and of itself.

"Maybe later," I answer. "Thanks, though."

I excuse myself and go back to my room, leaning against the door with a heavy sigh. I really need to figure out how the hell I'm supposed to deal with my feelings for Lorenzo while living with him, when they're anythingbutwhat someone should feel about her roommate.

CHAPTER 15

AMELIA

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