Page 88 of Wicked Prince

"Thanks," I say, deciding that I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume the olive branch she's offering is in good faith.

"Of course," she says in a tone so pleasant I'm pretty sure she's going to choke on it. She walks over to the bedroom door and lingers before turning back. "You know, tonight is a very special occasion. It marks a promising new start for all of us, don’t you think?"

I can tell there’s some hidden meaning behind her words, but whether it's the not-so-timely morning sickness or general exhaustion, it's beyond my ability to sort out at the moment. "I guess so…"

"Good. Because however it came to be, we're family now," she says pointedly. "I think it's for the best if we all just move on and look toward the future. I'd hate for anything to get in the way of that. Wouldn’t you?"

Now I'm starting to get a bit of a clearer picture. I'm not quite sure if she's asking for me not to rat her out to Stefan for being the wicked stepmother, or if she’s threatening me.

Maybe a little of both, which seems more likely.

"Yeah," I answer, hugging myself a little. The room always feels a bit chillier when Natalie is around. "Me, too."

She seems satisfied by my response, and she gives me the first smile she’s given me that has ever seemed remotely genuine.

"Good night, then,” she says before hesitating at the door again. "Oh, and… I'm not old-fashioned like your father. I know perfectly well what kinds of things people your age get up to, but try to keep the late-night sneaking to a minimum while you're here. Your father doesn't need the stress, and young men from families like the Romeros might toy with whores, but they certainly don't marry them."

It's all I can do to bite my tongue and keep from telling her about her precious little princess's not so virtuous reputation, but I decide to take the high road and force a tightlipped smile.

"I'll try to keep that in mind."

It figures she thinks I'm going to open my legs to the first good-looking guy who says a few flattering words to me.

The most infuriating part is, she's right.

She just has the wrong culprit.

I close the door once Natalie leaves, and I breathe a sigh of relief that I'm finally alone. Man, she's a lot. I'm starting to see why Dad goes on so many business trips.

I'm also pretty sure he doesn't give a shit who I sleep with or don't, as long as the outcome works out in his favor.

If nothing else, all this bullshit has been a sufficient distraction from my nausea. I decide to take a shower in the suite attached to the bedroom and then pour myself into bed before I can pass out standing up.

Ten minutes later, I leave the shower and walk over to the bed, only to catch a glimpse in the vanity mirror of a shadowed figure that makes me suddenly aware I'm not alone.

But before I can get a sound out of my mouth, a strong hand muffles my scream.

ChapterThirty-Four

AMELIA

Ibite down as hard as I can on the hand clamped over my mouth, and the moment I taste blood, whoever it is lets out a howl of pain and a slew of muttered curses.

I spin around, finding myself face-to-face with the last person I want to find in my bedroom.

"Lorenzo?" I hiss, shoving hard into his chest. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Keep your voice down," he growls, shaking out his hand. "Did you have to bite me?"

"I'm sorry, are you not the one who just showed up in my room and covered my mouth like some fucking serial killer?"

"Oh, so now you're worried about your safety," he says flatly. "I can't tell, considering the company you keep."

I glower at him, my heart still pounding in my ears. I think I almost passed out for a second there. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you, who I do or don't associate with is—"

"None of my business, yeah, I know. You sound like a broken record at this point."

I narrow my eyes, barely able to see through the blinding anger. "And yet, somehow, it still hasn't sunk in."

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