Page 12 of Marrying a Prince

He hated the power she thought she held over him. Why couldn't his mother see what her and her father had planned? Once the Marasco family had their claws in the government, there was no getting them out.

He kept a cool countenance, even though he was boiling with rage inside. He was tired of all of this. He pushed away from the table and stood. Marianna's gaze landed on him. Just as he turned, he almost ran into a waiter carrying chocolate cake for dessert.

But with the way he was feeling, he was no longer hungry. He was ready to get this horrible night over with. "I need a walk," he said.

Marianna scrambled up from her seat, colliding with the waiter bringing her dessert and flinging the cake against the nearby wall. "I'm so sorry," she said, moving to help him clean it up.

"It's okay, ma'am. I've got it covered." The man reached out to still her.

Marianna glanced over at him and then nodded. "Okay." She wrung her hands together. "I really am so sorry."

The waiter waved away her worry.

"Now, the walk?" she asked, turning her attention over to Leo.

"Where are you going?" his mother asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I am feeling a bit dizzy. I think some fresh air would do me good." He pressed his hand on his forehead, inches away from his gash.

His mother's skin paled and she nodded. "Of course. Filippo, please."

Filippo nodded and stepped up to Leo, but Leo held up his hand. "I was hoping that Marianna could accompany me. After all, if anything did happen, she'd be the best person to have alongside me."

"Leo." His mother's voice was low and commanding.

"I will be fine, Mother. The doors are locked and we are secure. Marianna will take responsibility." He glanced over at her.

Marianna nodded. "Yes, of course. I will keep him safe."

His mother quirked an eyebrow.

"It's for the best," Leo said, hoping his mother would understand his meaning.

She sighed. "Fine. Back here in ten minutes."

He nodded and headed toward the open door.

"Don't forget the plan," his mother called after him.

Leo slipped into the hallway and took a deep breath. Attempting to push out the feeling of guilt he had built up inside of himself.

"Are you okay?" Marianna asked as she appeared in the doorway. She reached out and pressed her hand against his head.

Leo winced as her fingers brushed his cut.

She must have noticed because she pulled her hand instantly away. "I'm so sorry," she said.

Leo shook his head. "No worries. You didn't mean to."

Marianna took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "So, you want to walk?"

He nodded. "It was getting too stuffy in there."

"I get it. I about died when they brought me tartare. Blegh. Tasted like cat food."

Leo laughed as they started walking down the hall. Filippo was a few feet behind them. "You've eaten cat food before?"

Her lips parted as she glanced around. "Geez, aren't you Mr. Literal. No, I've never eaten cat food. But I've smelled it. And I can only imagine that raw meat mixed with spices probably tastes similar."

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