Page 54 of Lucian

Lucian had been clear in his explanation of what it was like to be who he was in his family. It had just taken Jordyn a little while to catch up to speed and stick in the words he didn’t want to use himself.

“For us, La Cosa Nostra is more than a label, it’s a culture. From the moment we were born, we were thrown headfirst into it and raised as such with all the rules that came along with it. This is for life. Our status is a given right. I will always be this man. I will always be a Marcello.”

What Lucian meant, and Jordyn was only now realizing, was that he would always be considered mafia royalty in his world—a prince. Someone who was respected and adored simply because of who he was, though so much expectations and responsibility came with that title.

Dante had called Jordyn a princess first. Kate was doing it, now.

Lucian wasn’t even denying it, even if he was visibly annoyed.

He’d said it himself. For people like them, that word meant something entirely different than it did to the rest of the world.

Jordyn’s mind hadn’t put it all together, but it was, now.

It was too much.

Kate was zoning in on Jordyn again, bringing her out of her stunned thoughts.

“Parla Italiano? Di dove è?” Kate asked her.

Jordyn balked. “What?”

“She doesn’t speak—”

“No,” Lucian interrupted angrily. “Because she isn’t Italian. Leave it alone.”

“Not Italian?” Kate scoffed, nodding. “I get it. Now I understand why Cecelia didn’t want to tell me about her. It’d be just like you to pick one like this, Lucian.”

Finally, Jordyn snapped out of her stupor with a bang. “Excuse me? Like this? What does that mean?”

“Oh, child,” Kate practically cooed, though it was far too sickeningly sweet to be true. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand, because Lucian does. Just like Cecelia and Antony, or his brothers, for that matter. You’ve reached too high, sweetheart. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

Then, Kate took another step forward, examining Jordyn closer. “And if those marks on your neck are any indication, I hope you figure it out quick and run. Seems he’s a lot like his father, more so than we thought. Does he kiss you after and tell you he’s sorry like all abusers, too?”

Jordyn’s next words were born solely of her shock and anger, and a need to protect Lucian, considering he had done nothing but be so good to her. This woman was vile. “I don’t know you, and honestly, I don’t want to. I suggest, however, that you mind your business. Because if I understand correctly, you don’t have much say in anything. Certainly not anymore. Is that what pisses you off the most?”

Kate stepped back as if she’d been slapped. “You little bi—”

“Kate, it’s good to see you,” Antony said from the kitchen entrance, stopping the woman’s next words completely. His eyes instantly found his son’s, and Jordyn was caught glancing between the two rapidly, searching to see if she’d done something wrong. She didn’t think she did if the way Lucian was smiling back down at her was any indication. “I see you’ve met Jordyn. Beautiful, isn’t she?”

Jordyn swallowed her anger for a moment. Those were the first words Antony Marcello had spoken in her direct vicinity, and oddly, she knew they were important somehow.

“My wife is quite taken with her,” Antony continued, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the kitchen. “My son, too, though I should say sons, considering all the boys are watching this one carefully in their own ways. I hope you understand why we’ve kept her our little secret, as she’s still new to the family, and things are complicated.”

That was an understatement.

Again, they were talking about Jordyn like she was a permanent member of their family.

“How so?” Kate asked.

Antony smiled grimly. “That’s not your concern. It’s Lucian’s and mine.”

At her side, Jordyn felt Lucian’s hand squeeze hers reassuringly.

Antony passed Kate by in the same manner Gio had earlier, like he was dismissing her. Coming to stand in front of Jordyn, the older man offered her a soft smile as he spoke too low for Kate to hear.

“I’m sorry for not making time to speak to you earlier, Jordyn. I can watch over the stove for a bit until Cecelia is ready if you need a moment. Kate can have that kind of effect on people. Do you need a second?”

Jordyn nodded. She needed more than one. “Yes.”