Lorenzo & Lily (Royals of Valleria #8)

by Marianne Knightly

  Liliana shook her head with wide eyes. “Did I hurt-ed someone?”

  “No, Lily, you didn’t, but you must be more careful in the future. Maybe the prince wanted to keep his visit with us a secret.”

  “Oh. Is he mad with me?”

  Lily hugged her tighter. “No, Lily. He won’t be angry with you, but let’s not mention the prince to anyone else today.”

  “Okay, Mama.”

  She kissed her forehead. “Thank you. Now, what would you like for dinner? Maybe some of Mama’s famous pasta?”

  Liliana’s arms shot up in the air. “Yes! I like that. Can I help-ed you?”

  Liliana in the kitchen meant a mess in the kitchen, and a bigger mess on her little girl. “Of course you can. Then, after we eat, you can color and take a bath, and then we’ll do some reading until the prince comes. Does that sound good?”

  She nodded just as they arrived at their apartment. Lily let her down and grasped her hand again as they made their way past the unreliable elevator and up the stairs.

  The apartment wasn’t in the worst part of town, but it wasn’t in the best, either. Still, other families lived in the building, too, so she felt fairly safe. It was all she could afford at any rate.

  As they walked inside, Liliana running to her room to put down her things, Lily tried to imagine what Lorenzo might think as he walked in later that night. It was bright, it was cheery, and it was cozy and comfortable. It was not high society stuffy, or modern. Modern often went out the window when there was a very active child around.

  Thank goodness she’d cleaned it yesterday, but a few touchups here and there might not be a bad idea. Better to clean after they made a mess in the kitchen, though. Lily walked down the short hall to Liliana’s room to help her before going to change herself.

  She still didn’t know how she’d handle Lorenzo. He’d been adamant they move into the castle and – given her new unemployed state – it might make the most sense logically, but her heart was urging her against it. She’d have to face the person who drove them apart, the person who’d stated her greatest fear and said she hadn’t been worthy of Lorenzo. She still wasn’t sure she was.

  Her family may have been high society, but they were steeped in scandal back in Italy. Charges of embezzlement against her father and brother years ago had urged the Italian paparazzi to descend upon her. Though she was innocent, her family had forged her name on documents which, if found, would have implicated her.

  Though no one had found out, the press had laced her reputation with rumours. To salvage it, she took a volunteer position at a hospital in Valleria. It was there she’d met Lorenzo.

  It was then, when she fell in love, that her entire world had changed. It had changed again when the documents had been uncovered and she’d been blackmailed into leaving Lorenzo. It changed once more when Liliana was born, and her family had finally abandoned her for good. It seemed her life was due for yet another massive turn of events.

  And, just like before, she may not have a choice in the matter.

  Chapter Six

  “The meet went like I said it would. I think the only thing helpful now would be to see what Field has been up to in Valentia, and if he was successful.”

  Alex leaned back in his chair, currently situated in one of the lounges at the MARC. “I’ll check with my union contacts to see if he’s reached out to anyone else. However, Lorenzo, don’t you think trying to stop the strike is a fruitless task at this point? We should just prepare for strike talks.”

  “The strike may not happen, and I think it’d be better for all of us if it doesn’t.”

  Nate nodded. As Valleria’s Minister of Finance and Treasury, he also had a vested interest in avoiding a strike. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but maybe Alex is also right.”

  “How’s Papa handling all this?” At the mention of their father, all his brothers stiffened. “That’s what I thought. He’s recovering, that’s true, but he doesn’t need this added stress right now.” His brows furrowed as he wondered again what stress he might cause him when he learned about his little Liliana.

  “Captain?” a MARC worker called.

  “Yes, Jeannie?”

  “The tea is all set up and everyone’s on their way down.”

  “Thank you. Was everyone informed that my brothers would be in attendance?”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Excellent.” Lorenzo stood up and gestured for his brothers to follow. “Come on. We’re going to greet everyone as they come in.”

  “What’s the point of tea?” Nate asked.

  “Socialization in a non-threatening setting. Members of the VSO spend a lot of time here and enjoy tea with the residents,” Lorenzo said, referring to the Vallerian Service Organization.

  “This helps?” Marcello asked.

  “Not always. The reactions tend to be extreme: either people hate it and refuse to attend, or they’ll like it but won’t admit they do. In any case, it gets the residents out of their rooms. A lot of them have had rough days already, as some have therapy, PT, and a host of other things we’ve done to push them. And VSO members are trained to deal with returning soldiers, and the challenges they face.”

  He led them into one of the dining halls. Tables set for six were scattered around the room. Some standard chairs at each table were either missing to allow for wheelchair access, or altered to allow for other disabilities or comfort. Though it boasted traditional tea fare – finger sandwiches and the like – it also featured some heartier food. The aroma of Vallerian Grey tea and Vallerian Roast coffee, as well as scrumptious food filled the room. He hoped they had a good turnout.

  Lorenzo greeted the VSO members and double-checked the setup before arranging himself near the door. Slowly, the residents started trickling in, greeting him with familiarity, and his brothers with reserve. Ethan was giving the residents a keen gaze, as if assessing their injuries – doctor’s habit, he supposed – while Alex, Nate, Marcello, and Eddie greeted them with respect.

  He turned to his brothers during a lull in arrivals. “All of you should take a seat. Spread out at different tables. I’ll stay here to greet the last few who arrive and check on a few things.” As they nodded and walked off, Lorenzo counted heads. Several MARC residents were missing.

  Including Perez. Damn it.

  “Andrea,” he called to one of the VSO members. “Please head up to room forty-seven, and take a tray of something with you. There’s a soldier there I’m worried about. Hector Perez.”

  “Of course, Captain. I’ll head up there now.”

  He took in Andrea’s pretty petite frame, and recalled how Perez had looked that morning. “Ask the nurses to give him a heads up before you get there. I don’t want you to walk into anything, er, uncomfortable.”

  Andrea giggled. “Of course, Captain.”

  As she wandered off, other staff or VSO members asked him for input or decisions that needed to be made, so Lorenzo spent most of tea time running around. It was only after a glance at his watch, when he realized tea time was almost over, that he took an empty chair beside Alex. He poured himself a cup of coffee, which was still hot thanks to the volunteers.

  Alex eyed Lorenzo’s empty plate. “Nothing to eat?”

  Lorenzo, too anxious about that evening to eat anything, just shook his head. “I’ve got plans later, remember?”

  “Hot date, Cap?” one of the soldiers teased with a smile; few knew the hard work and time that went into something as simple as a smile.

  Lorenzo smiled back big. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” As the men around the table chuckled and the women softly smiled, Alex did none of that.

  He leaned forward, so only Lorenzo heard. “We still need words, you and I.”

  Lorenzo positioned a coffee cup in front of his mouth. “Maybe later.”

  “Lorenzo.”

  Lorenzo’s voice was a whispered hiss, his body stiff; the others at the table couldn’t mistake the fact he was now pissed off. “
Not now. All right? This isn’t the time or place for you to ream me out. I deserve more respect than that. Hell, any respect, would be good.”

  Alex put a hand on Lorenzo’s leg and squeezed. “That’s not why we have to talk. Before you run off for your date, can you spare a few minutes?”

  He couldn’t. He had to change, then pick up some flowers for his girl and for Lily. Though they didn’t live far, Lorenzo would have to take a roundabout path five times as long to throw any paparazzi off the scent. He was surprised none had seen him at the beach that morning. “I don’t have time, and I can’t be late.”

  Alex was silent for a beat. “The one you’re seeing, she’s important.”

  “All women are important. Who I’m meeting tonight is very important to me, personally.”

  Another beat, then Alex took a deep breath. “I think you mean that. Well. Will you tell me about her?”

  “Yes, but not now.”

  Alex nodded. “Good.” He squeezed Lorenzo’s leg, then let go and turned back to the table.

  Lorenzo cleared his throat, which was surprisingly thick with emotion. “So, how’d you like sitting with Alex? You can be honest. Tell me how boring he really was.”

  A few stifled chuckles and pursed lips scattered around the table. “It was an honour to meet His Highness,” one woman said.

  “Always good to meet a man who’s served, Your Highness,” another said.

  Lorenzo shook his head. “If only you knew the man he really was, then…”

  “Then what?”

  “Then you’d probably respect him a helluva lot more than you already do.”

  Alex blinked in surprise just as Lorenzo spied Rebecca entering the room. She had a bright smile on her face that only he and his family could tell was for show. Something hadn’t been right with Rebecca for some time now, but he and his brothers had left that in Alex’s capable hands. If they needed help, they’d ask for it.

  That was the problem with his family. When Alex or Rebecca might need help, the family waited until they asked for it. With Lorenzo, however, they just assumed he needed it without even asking. He’d have to change that, and soon.

  “It seems my newest sister has just arrived.”

  Alex turned sharply in his chair and stood up, his avid gaze following her movement across the room towards him. He relaxed his face as she drew near and went into his arms. “Hi, darling.” He gave her a brief kiss, which she returned. “How’d everything go?”

  “Later,” she murmured and he nodded.

  When Rebecca broke away from Alex, she leaned towards Lorenzo, who gave her a kiss on each cheek. “Hello, sister. You’re looking lovely, as always.”

  “Thanks, Lorenzo.” She turned to the table and was startled to see the remaining occupants standing. “I forget sometimes I’m a princess,” she murmured, only loud enough for him and Alex to hear.

  Alex kissed her temple. “You’ll get used to it.”

  She smiled wide again, aiming it for the table. “Thank you, but no need for formality. Please be seated.”

  She waved to Nate, Marcello, and Ethan, then looked around. “Is there room for another? Perhaps at another table? Sorry, I just popped by. I ended up leaving the hospital earlier than expected.”

  Lorenzo downed the last of his coffee, then gestured to a volunteer for another cup. “It’s no trouble. You can take my seat.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. I need to head out anyway. Until next time ladies and gentlemen. Alex.” He clapped Alex on the shoulder, and waved to his other brothers as he made his way out the door.

  Time to get ready for tonight.

  Lily had spent an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to wear. This decision, of course, occurred mentally, as Liliana would hardly allow her a moment to herself. Now, however, standing in front of her bathroom mirror, she wondered if she’d made the right decision.

  She’d been trying for that I’m-a-wonderful-mother-and-still-beautiful-and-don’t-need-you-look that said she didn’t need him or his money. Though, truthfully, she could use both. How she could use both.

  Their doorbell – which never worked well – rang then clanged. “I’ll get it, Mama!”

  “No, you won’t! Remember what Mama said.”

  Lily heard Liliana stomp her little feet as she rounded the corner into the hall and made her way towards her. “I can so get it!”

  “Not until you can see through the peephole. You never answer a door without first checking to see who it is.”

  “Mama–”

  She bent down and scooped her up, then started towards the front door. “Honey, I know you don’t like that rule, but it’s a rule that can help protect you and keep you safe. Mama wants the best for you, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes.”

  Lily stopped behind the front door. “Then sometimes, even if you don’t like the rule, you need to follow it. Now, the prince is probably on the other side of the door.”

  Liliana’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Really. Why don’t you look and see if it’s him?”

  Lily lifted her a little more until she could look through the peephole. “It’s him! It’s him! Put me down, Mama.”

  Fighting the urge to hold her tight, Lily put her down and straightened the skirt of the glittering pink, frothy-skirted ‘princess’ dress Liliana had insisted on wearing. “Step back for a minute so I can let him in, okay?”

  “Okay, Mama.”

  She took a deep breath, her hand suddenly cool and damp on the doorknob, and opened the door.

  God, Lorenzo. He’d showered recently, as his wavy black hair gleamed, the tips still wet. She caught the scent of his cologne, musky and male, just the lightest touch of it to bring out everything dark and dashing about him. He was taller than her, even when she wore heels, making him seem larger than life.

  Her voice was unintentionally soft and breathy. “Lorenzo.”

  His voice was low and gruff, his eyes suddenly stormy with anger. “Lily.”

  Liliana jumped forward, her voice bright and excited. “That’s me!” She picked up the edge of her puffy, pink tulle skirt with dainty fingers and did an exaggerated and wobbly curtsy. “Your Highness.”

  Anger faded as a smile split his lips. “My Lady.” He bowed to her in return, and Liliana jumped up again, this time clapping her hands.

  “These are for you.” He handed her a small bouquet of pink lilies, then turned to Lily and handed her a second bouquet of purple lilies. “And these are for you.”

  “Thank you,” she said breathily. “Say thank you, honey.”

  “Thank you.” Then Liliana rushed forward, gave her mother her flowers, and took hold of his hand. “Come and play with me!”

  Lily watched her daughter chatter away, Lorenzo engaging easily with her, then caught sight of her small hand inside his long, lean one. Her daughter had no idea what was coming – their daughter, she reminded herself; it was hard to come to terms with the fact she wasn’t alone as a parent anymore.

  Lily slipped into the kitchen and arranged the flowers in vases, then pulled the fresh pot of Vallerian roast coffee from its maker and set it on a tray. She added two mugs – inexpensive ones at that, since she’d sold all her expensive china long ago – and added a small, plastic cup for Liliana. She poured some cooled hot chocolate inside and added some whipped cream. She placed a plate of cookies on the tray, took a deep breath, and then carried everything into the living room.

  Lorenzo sat cross-legged on the floor while Liliana danced around him, pretending to throw fairy dust over him. The only thing Liliana loved more than being a pretend princess was being a pretend magical fairy.

  Lily poured them both a cup of coffee, adding cream and sugar to hers. “Lily, honey, do you want your hot chocolate?”

  The magical fairy disappeared and the little girl came back. “Yummy!” She ran towards her.

  “No running! This is hot, hot, hot, remember? You could get hurt.
”

  Liliana slowed and gave her a baby-toothed grin. “Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

  “Lorenzo? Some coffee? It’s regular, but I can brew some decaf if you’d prefer.”

  He stood, his presence overwhelming the small, yet cozy room. “Regular’s fine.” He walked toward her and she held out a cup, but he just stared at it.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “It’s black.”

  Lily lowered her cup-filled hand, her brow wrinkling. “Oh, well, would you prefer cream and sugar?”

  “Why did you give it to me black?”

  She bit her lip, gave Liliana a quick glance – she was still lost in the euphoria of a surprise hot chocolate – then turned back to him. “You used to drink it black. I just thought…well, never mind. What would you like in it?”

  “You remembered.”

  Her voice was a whisper, and she wasn’t sure he heard her. “I’d never forget you, or anything about you.”

  The air became thick and heavy, with the sort of despair that comes over someone when they realize all they’ve lost.

  Then she remembered why she lost it, why she had to give him up, and what would happen to her once everyone found out about them, and about Liliana. A shudder rippled through her, settling like ice in her veins.

  She was broken from her thoughts by Lorenzo leaning down and taking the cup from her hands. She looked up into his dark eyes, and they seemed more curious than angry. She’d imagined this day a lot over the last five years. She’d imagined his anger, his disbelief – all of that she’d seen on the beach that morning. She’d never imagined there might be curiosity or interest as well.

  His voice was like a warm wave, washing the ice away. “Is there someplace we can talk?”

  Lily turned to their princess, who was sitting next to her enjoying her drink, her little feet kicking in excitement. “The kitchen. Lily, honey, we’re just going to get something from the kitchen, okay? Stay on the couch and we’ll be right back.”

  “Okay, Mama.”

  When they walked inside the small space she turned to face Lorenzo, but gasped instead as he maneuvered her against the fridge, his long arms pinning her in on either side. His body didn’t touch hers but it felt as though it was. “Lorenzo.”