Page 3 of Broken Princess

When I pull out of the student parking lot, I can see Anthony standing at the curb in my rearview mirror. He lifts a hand to wave, and I steel myself as I embark on this next phase in my journey.

I have no idea what waits ahead, but I know what's waiting if I stay here. That's enough incentive for me to swallow my doubts and keep moving forward.

CHAPTER 2

LORENZO

I'm not at all surprised when Amelia doesn't show up for class Monday morning. She is definitely pissed at me, that much is clear. Maybe angrier than she ever has been.

Not that I can really say I blame her for that.

I'm not entirely sure what she got so pissed off about, though. Then again, she always has been a mystery to me. It's both a downside, and one of the reasons I find her so intriguing.

I decide it's best to let her cool off, but that lasts all of a few hours before I cave. If Stefan wasn't around, it would be different, but she has already made it clear she doesn't care to listen to common sense where he's concerned.

Or at least, she doesn't want to listen to me.

There's one person I can ask, even though I'm pretty sure he would rather get a root canal than have another conversation with me. His icy reception at the party cemented that.

So much for the comradery of fraternity brothers.

I don't give a shit, though. It's not like she's answering my calls and texts. I'm starting to feel like a jealous boyfriend and we're not even technically dating. Not that that was my choice.

At least I have a pretty good idea about where to find Anthony. I've spent long enough stalking Amelia around campus that I know he can usually be found at the café around this time.

Sure enough, he's sitting at a booth in the back, poring over the calculus book in front of him.

"What, are you in the premed program now or something?" I ask.

He looks up, giving me a glare that's even more menacing than usual. And that's saying something.

"Nope," he answers, closing the book. "You should consider taking it, though. You've always had a hard time putting two and two together."

I blink at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He just shakes his head in irritation. "Never mind. What do you want, Lorenzo?"

Somehow, I get the feeling he knows, but I decide not to risk his ire by calling his bluff.

"I was just wondering if you've seen Amelia lately," I answer. No point in beating around the bush.

"Sure have," he says. "What about it?"

"Yeah, but when?" I press.

He raises an eyebrow. "This morning."

There's something about his tone that keeps me from believing him. He's a decent liar, but I've got a radar for bullshit and it's never been wrong.

"Really?" I ask. "Where? Because she wasn't in class this morning."

Irritation flashes in his eyes, but that's nothing new. It's not like he can dislike me any more than he already does.

Not that I really give a shit. I know something is off. I can feel it.

"She said she wasn't feeling well," he answers with a shrug. "After the party, I can't say I blame her."

It's a clear attempt at deflection. Trying to get me to feel awkward about my role in what he clearly thinks is my fault. And he's not wrong about that, either. It just isn't going to work.

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