Page 34 of Lorenzo & Lily

“I honestly don’t know. She’s asked about her father a few times and, as I mentioned, I’ve told her your name. We can start there. She doesn’t dwell on things, but her emotions tend to be extreme: happy and excited, or crying and distraught. She’s rarely ever just calm, unless she’s sleeping or at pre-school.”

“All right. There are just two other things to discuss before we speak to her.”

Her fingers began toying with the edge of her shirt. “What?”

“First, I’ve mentioned this before, but for security, you’ll need to move into the castle.”

She automatically shook her head. “We need to talk about that.”

“And we will. But surely, given everything that’s happened to my family in the last year alone, you realize there are forces out there that will stop at nothing to bring us down. The latest was when they tried to murder my new sister-in-law right before her wedding. No one is safe, and I need to manage that risk. If you think I’m not going to do everything in my power to protect you both, you clearly don’t remember me as well as you think you do.”

“Oh, I remember, all right,” she grumbled. She couldn’t hide from this anymore, couldn’t put off the decision for another day.

Pros: she and Liliana would be safe at the castle. Her lack of steady income would be inconsequential, not to mention no more cooking or cleaning.

Cons: she liked the cooking and cleaning, at least when she did them for Liliana. She liked knowing she could take care of her child, to prove her parents wrong, and to prove to herself she was worth something.

If they lived in the castle, she was also sure to see the person who’d driven her and Lorenzo apart years ago. It was uncomfortable, but it wasn’t unexpected.

They were, after all, a member of his family.

She took a deep breath. There was only one choice she could make. “Okay. I know you’re right. We would be safer in the castle, and I’ll do anything to protect my daughter. So, I’ll agree to move into the castle.”

His chest swelled in triumph.

“But, there are conditions we need to discuss first.”

“Of course. I fully expected that.”

She nodded. “What’s the second thing?”

“I’ll need a paternity test, so we’ll have to walk her through the process.” She stood in mute shock while he continued. “I’ve brought what we need with me, and I know a discreet doctor who will complete the test.”

Anger, hot and volcanic, gurgled inside her. “You! I can’t! You don’t believe–”

His hands wrapped around her arms quickly and tightly. “Of course, I bloody well believe she’s mine. Just look at her. Of course, she’s my daughter.”

She relaxed only slightly. “Then why the hell–”

“Because I’m a prince. If anyone doubts that Lily has my protection, we have medical proof she’s mine. And, I’m sorry to say, that not everyone in my family will believe she’s mine, even with the proof looking them straight in the face. I don’t want to do it. Ineedto do it. Do you understand?”

She pursed her lips, arguing with herself whether or not to tell him something. She decided he needed to know. “I understand. There’s something you should know, however: a DNA test was already done, using blood taken from you at the hospital. So, that’s not something we need to do.”

“You have the results?”

“Yes, I do.”

“So why were you so upset at the thought of a paternity test?”

“I was upset by the thought you didn’t believe me, and wanted a paternity test to prove she was yours. I may not be the best person, but I’dneverlie to you about something like that.”

“I know. I told you I believed you.”

She nodded, satisfied with his answer. “Come on, then. Let’s go speak to Liliana.” When he didn’t let her go, she stared expectantly. “Something else?”

His voice was low and soft. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

She sucked in a breath.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to get more beautiful, but you did.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, then stepped back. “After you.”

“Thank you,” she breathed, then walked slowly back into the living room. Lily’s cup sat precariously on the edge of the table, and she’d found the remote and was pressing random buttons. Lily rushed forward. “Let me take that, honey.”

“I wanna watch princess show.”

The cartoon about a girl princess’s life was one of her favorites. “Maybe later.” She flipped off the television and scooted the almost empty cup back on firmer ground. “We want to talk to you for a few minutes, okay?”

“Okay, Mama.”

She settled Liliana on the couch between her and Lorenzo, cleared her throat, and started one of the most difficult conversations of her life.

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