Page 90 of Wicked Prince

"My point is," he mutters, "they had no reason to leave Italy and start over. Not a legitimate one, anyway."

"So why did they?" I ask warily.

"The same reason anyone leaves behind everything they know to start over in a strange place," he says pointedly. "Because they have something to hide."

My heart skips a beat. His words hit just a little too close to home. If I didn't know better, I would think he knew something was up, but there's no way he would keep that under wraps. Subtlety is really not Lorenzo's forte. That, or self-awareness.

"Okay, so what are they hiding?" I ask warily.

He glances at the door and lowers his voice as he leans in. "I told you, they make people disappear. There was one in particular. A girl named Gianna Esposito. He ever mention her?"

I hesitate. "No…"

"She was his girlfriend for two and a half years," he says. "They were engaged in all but the most technical sense. She was from a good family, one that happened to be in the business of manufacturing parts for weapons that would've helped the Romeros consolidate and expand their sphere of influence—not just in Italy, but throughout Europe. In short, the Espositos are a big fucking deal."

"Then why would Stefan's family have risked that partnership by doing something to her?" I ask. "If that’s what you're implying."

"Oh, it's what I'm implying. It's what happened. You can ask anyone in Italy—if they're not too afraid to tell you the truth. As for why, I don't know. Maybe she cheated on him, maybe he was bored. Guys like Stefan really don't need a reason for half the shit they do."

"You mean guys like you," I challenge.

I'm expecting him to argue, but instead, he shrugs. "Yeah. So I would know."

I swallow hard. I definitely wasn't expecting that to be his answer. "So they came here so Stefan wouldn't get in trouble?"

"No, there was no need for that," he answers. "Like I said, the Romeros have deep pockets, and they’re an old family. Their influence was enough to intimidate the right people into making sure Gianna's death was never properly investigated. But even for a family like the Romeros, actions have consequences. You can't cover everything up forever, and people don't exactly put a lot of faith in families where the heir apparent is a complete psycho. Not when it could be their daughter next."

My heart is pounding again, but for very different reasons.

I want to tell Lorenzo he's full of shit. I want to tell him to get out, that I don't believe him at all, but the truth is…

Fuck, I'm not sure what I believe. I don't really know Stefan, either. Just that he seems like a nice guy.

Almost too nice.

I should really know better than to think that any guy who's interested in me doesn't have an ulterior motive or a skeleton hanging in his closet. Maybe I should count myself lucky that in Lorenzo's case, it was just a girlfriend.

"You believe me?" he asks, sounding hopeful.

"I don't know what I believe," I answer, hugging myself. It occurs to me that I'm still in a towel, practically naked, in front of the man I swore I would never be vulnerable around in any way, shape, or form ever again. "I don't trust you. Or him, for that matter."

"Small miracles," he mutters under his breath.

I study him for a moment, frowning. "Isn't Kayleigh going to wonder where you are?"

He seems confused by the question for a moment until realization dawns on his face. "I'm not sleeping in Kayleigh's room."

I scoff. "Yeah, right."

"It's the truth. I don’t spend any more time around her than I have to."

Granted, that's always been my strategy, but coming from him, it sounds like a load of bull.

"And what, you think bad-mouthing your girlfriend is going to win you points with me?" I challenge. "Because on the list of all my least favorite people, she's actually a spot below you."

"Is that so?" he challenges in return, squaring up to me. He reaches out to tilt my chin up so I have no choice but to meet his eyes.

That's always a mistake.

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