Page 63 of Broken Princess

Anthony gives a pained grimace that's mostly contrived. "Don't remind me. Just know, if you do anything to hurt her—"

"Yeah, yeah, shins and kneecaps, we've been over it before," Lorenzo says, finally letting him go. "And with her dad."

"Never hurts to be reminded," Anthony says in a tone that somehow manages to be both pleasant and menacing. He turns to me and does a one-eighty, all sunshine and roses again as he pulls me away from Lorenzo and into a bear hug. "You look gorgeous, kid. Just remember, if he gets out of hand... something pink."

I sigh, giving Anthony a look before I kiss him on the cheek. "We'll see you at the house for the reception?"

"Of course. I just need to pick something up on the way."

"What was that about?" Lorenzo asks once he's gone as we all file out of the building and toward the parking lot.

I purse my lips to keep them from quivering with amusement. "Nothing," I say, linking my arm in his. "I think that went pretty well, all things considered."

"Well, no one pulled a gun, so that's always a successful family event," he remarks. "My brothers are going to be at the reception, though, so we'll see."

"Oh?" I ask, curious. I've never actually met Lorenzo's brothers, but I imagine they've heard plenty about me. More than enough to form some pretty harsh judgments.

"Don't be nervous," he says, giving my hand a squeeze as he leads me toward the black sports car parked sideways in two spots, because of course.

And there's a big JUST MARRIED sign painted on the back window, which, judging from the pissed off look on Lorenzo's face as we come to a stop in front of the car, he did not put there.

"What the hell is this?" he bellows, looking accusatorily in Jeff's direction.

The other man gives him an appeasing smile and waves. "It's just paint, it'll wash right off."

Lorenzo just sighs, opening the passenger's side door for me. "So does blood."

It's an idle threat, I can tell, but Jeff gulps all the same. I really can't see how he and Anthony used to date. Opposites attract and everything, but...

Well, he's sweet. Kind of. In his own way.

And he's here at the wedding, which is more than I can say for Lorenzo's brothers. If he's important to Lorenzo, he's important to me.

Once we make it back to the house and I see more cars in the driveway, I realize Lorenzo's brothers must be here after all. Dad invited some other members of the family, including Francis and some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Natalie's white BMW convertible is gone, though, even though it was here this morning, so that's kind of weird. Not that I can really expect her to celebrate this.

I'm kind of dreading meeting Lorenzo's brothers. I hope they're not too mad at me.

After we park and get out of the car, I can see them waiting outside. They're both standing and having a conversation about something outside in the driveway, and I can immediately tell which one is Geo, since he's taller and looks a lot like Lorenzo. They're only a couple of years apart, but their younger brother, Robbie, is seventeen, if I remember correctly. He looks more like their mother, with softer features that are boyish on him, as opposed to his older brothers, who look like...

Well, like the intimidating made men they are.

"Enzo," Geo says, walking over to embrace his brother. It's a curt, automatic greeting, but it's polite enough. "Guess you're a married man now. Congrats."

Lorenzo snorts. "Thanks," he says, putting an arm around my waist. "This is my wife, Amelia. Amelia, these are my brothers, Geo and Robbie."

My wife, Amelia.Out of all the words Lorenzo has said to me, I don't think any have ever made my heart flutter the way those do.

I hold my hand out, but Geo takes it and kisses the back of it instead. "It's a pleasure, Amelia. Welcome to the family."

"Oh. Thank you," I say, already a bit flustered before Robbie takes my hand from him and kisses it in an even more gallant gesture, his dark eyes glimmering with amusement and something somewhere between malice and mischief. I remember it well from when Lorenzo and I first met, just in case the physical resemblance between them isn’t enough to prove they're brothers.

"You really are as beautiful as everyone says," he remarks, holding onto my hand a bit too long. I pull it back with a nervous laugh.

"That's...sweet."

Lorenzo does not look amused, but our parents are close enough behind us that Robbie immediately puts on an innocent face and walks over to the door. "Let's celebrate!"

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