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LORENZO
“How long do you think you’ll give me the cold shoulder for?”
I don’t respond to Anthony. I continue running my hands through Lucian’s fur. His body vibrates beneath my hand from every sound that leaves his mouth. He’s quiet, mostly, but every now and then there’s a low rumble.
I keep telling myself it isn’t out of distrust or betrayal, but I can’t shake the feeling from the back of my mind.
Or maybe he can tell that something’s wrong with me.
We’re in my living room with me sitting with Lucian on the rug. Lucian is lying down with his back against the sofa and his tail hanging over me. It’s good to have him back. Great, even. But I’m nowhere near content.
Anthony tugs at his hair and stops pacing my living room. He hates it when people are angry with him. He was that boy, always eager to please and coming to my father with every little accomplishment. It was a little sad, but now it’s amusing.
I’m not angry. Not with him and not with Settimo. Not anymore. I just want to be left the fuck alone with the only being who seems to understand me. That isn’t true anymore, though, I suppose. He’s one of two.
I drag my eyes up Lucian’s fur to his face, eyes closed and mouth slightly open, revealing sharp teeth.
Anthony flops on the floor, and when Lucian lets out a low growl, Anthony scoots towards me, away from Lucian. My lips lift into a smirk.
“You know, Settimo thinks there was more to that girl,” Anthony says. “That you had a thing for her or something.”
“Hm,” I say, not looking at Anthony.
“Did you?”
With a sigh, I turn to Anthony. “Does it matter? Truly, does it?”
“Yes,” he lies. His eyes widen and he quickly tries to hide his surprise, but he’s terrible at it. I’m positive he didn’t think the scenario was possible, with any woman, let alone a prisoner. At one time, I didn’t think it was possible either.
“Of course it does,” he doubles down. “If that’s the case then… Lorenzo, I’m fucking sorry, all right? I should’ve talked to you before backing Settimo. But fuck, I didn’t want you to take the girl in the first place.”
“Amelia.”
“What?”
“Her name is Amelia. And like I said, I’m not angry with you. There isn’t anything you need to apologize for. I would, however, like it if you would get the fuck out of my apartment so I can be alone with Lucian.”
Anthony narrows his eyes at me and appears to be considering something.
“What?” I ask, annoyed.
“You said ‘is’.”
I raise a brow and Anthony’s eyes roam my face, studying me for a tell.
“You said, ‘her name is Amelia’. Is, Lorenzo. Not was.”
I shrug and roll my eyes like I’m annoyed that Anthony is reading into such menial things. But a little jolt of panic runs through me.
“My mistake.”
“Is she fuckingalive?”
“No,” I say through barred teeth. I stand and Lucian’s eyes open, but he doesn’t act. “Now get the fuck out of my apartment.”
“She is.” Anthony’s eyes go wide, and his mouth drops. “Oh, fuck, if Settimo finds out…”
“There isnothingto find out. And if you suggest to him that there is, I swear to God little brother, I—”
