Page 8 of Broken Princess

"It was, but you can't ever be too safe. Especially if you're going to be living a life on the run from the mob."

I snort. He has a point. "I'll keep that in mind. So, what's going on? Why the clandestine routine?"

"Because your boyfriend and your other boyfriend had me cornered," he answers. "God, they're pushy. I don't know how you stand either of them."

I sigh. "Neither of them is my boyfriend, for one thing. For another… yeah. That's why neither of them is my boyfriend. I'm sorry they're bugging you."

He laughs a little. "It's fine, I don't mind running interference. Keeping Lorenzo from killing Stefan seems like it could turn into a full-time job, though."

I groan. "Don't tell me they've already gotten into it?"

"I don't think they ever were out of it," he counters. "But yeah. Problem is, I think now they're teaming up."

"Great. That's the last thing I need."

"Sorry. Just wanted to give you a heads up."

"I'll handle it," I promise him. "If I have to shoot Lorenzo a text telling him to back off, I will."

"Considering the way he was acting, he's going to think the kidnapper has your phone, so you're probably going to need to be direct."

"Yeah," I sigh. "I'm not surprised. Thanks for dealing with him. And for letting me stay in the cabin. It's been good to have a second to figure things out."

"Any time," he says. "Any idea where you're going to go next?"

I hesitate. "Honestly, I've been thinking about just throwing a dart at a map and going from there. Everything else feels too easy for Dad to predict."

"That's one strategy," he muses. "But at the moment, I would worry more about your boy toys than your father."

He's probably right about that. I figure, knowing Dad, I probably have a decent while before he gets his head out of his ass enough to even figure out I'm gone.

That is, assuming Lorenzo doesn't tip him off first.

"I'll say one thing for your stalker, he's certainly persistent," Anthony muses. "You sure you're not having any second thoughts?"

"Very," I murmur.

If anything, this has all just confirmed that I was right to leave. If he's being this extra now, and he doesn't even know about the baby…

"Just checking," Anthony says.

I can tell he wants to say something else, and it's not like him to hold his tongue. "What is it?" I ask. He's earned candor, at the very least.

"It's just… are you sure you don't want to tell him the truth? I know he's a dick, and he doesn't deserve another chance, but he is the father of your baby. You both deserve support, if nothing else. And as much of an ass as he is, Lorenzo does love you. I'm sure of that."

It takes me a second to process that, because I honestly wasn't expecting him to say that. Love is a big word. Not one I'm sure Lorenzo even has the ability to understand fully, let alone in the context of me.

"I… I don't know, Anthony," I admit. "I wish I could believe that, but even if that's true, it doesn't change anything. My dad claimed he loved my mom, and look how that turned out."

"Yeah," he says sympathetically. "I get it. I do. It's just a shame, that's all."

"Yeah," I agree quietly, sinking down onto a barstool. "It is."

"Listen, I should get to class. Call me if you need anything, okay? And when you figure out where you're going."

"I will," I promise, unable to help but smile a little. "Love you, Anthony. Take care."

"Love you, too," he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

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