Page 37 of Broken Princess

Not to anyone.

Once again, my life is spiraling out of my control, and the one man I want to run to isn't an option. Not when it would only push him away for good.

CHAPTER 18

LORENZO

The moment I came home to realize Amelia wasn't in my apartment any longer, I panicked. Granted, that was probably a bit of a premature reaction, but I'm nothing if not on edge lately.

Especially where she’s concerned.

Given everything that's happened recently, I feel like I'm entitled to be.

There’s someone actively hunting her down. Someone who already proved he was willing to kidnap a completely innocent woman for his old grudge, and I wouldn't put much of anything else past him, either.

I immediately pick up my phone to call Amelia, and when she lets it go to voicemail, I'm all the more freaked out. Where the hell is she?

When she doesn't respond to my text messages, or my calls, I try Anthony's number, but he insists he hasn't heard from her. I actually believe him, from the worried tone in his voice. He did, however, see Stefan earlier, and insists that she wasn't with him. At least, she wasn't back then.

Well, at least someone is keeping an eye on him. I guess that's a good thing. One less thing for me to worry about.

The next logical course of action is to contact her father, and when he doesn't answer, either, I'm even more suspicious.

Okay, something is definitely going on.

Amelia and I have come to something of an understanding, at least, so I don't want to believe she would let me linger in panic, not knowing where she is or if she's okay if she had a choice in the matter. Of course, that has me even more concerned.

I pound on the front door of the Carrillo family home, and the maid answers a few moments later.

"Amelia," I say, not exactly in the mood for small talk. "Where is she?"

The woman's eyes widen. "Miss Amelia is in her room."

Relief washes over me, but that still leaves plenty of questions unanswered. If she's just home, then why the hell isn't she answering my calls?

"Great," I say, walking into the landing.

The maid looks panicked, shuffling after me. "I'm sorry, Mr. Rossi, but Mr. Carrillo has instructed that she not be permitted any visitors."

Yeah, that's not suspicious at all.

"That so?" I ask, already making my way toward the stairs anyway. "Don't worry, you can tell him I threatened you."

He would probably believe it, considering it's clear Mr. Carrillo tolerates me because of my family—or rather, in spite of it—and little more.

I'm already up the stairs, but before I can turn the corner to Amelia's room, her father appears out of nowhere. I can tell from the look on the man's face he's been expecting me. I don't know what the hell he thinks he's doing, but if he thinks I'm going to let him keep her from me now that I finally have her back, he's dead wrong.

"Lorenzo," he says in a tone of vague condescension. "I'm surprised to see you here. I'm afraid Kayleigh isn't home," he says pointedly.

There is no mistaking his meaning. Or the challenge behind it. I fell for the wrong daughter. The one I wasn't supposed to want, or allowed to have. In his mind.

Milo's men already figured out firsthand what happens to anyone who’s foolish enough to get between me and what’s mine. Now, Miceli is going to learn the same.

"I'm not here for Kayleigh," I reply. "But you already know that, don't you?"

A dangerous look comes into his eyes. "Come into my office. We need to talk."

"Fuck that," I spit. "You have something to say to me, you can say it right here."

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