Page 43 of Lost Prince
“Have you ever been in love?” I ask before thinking what a putz that might make me seem. After all, I’m supposed to be an asshole womanizer.
He shifts in his seat in the car. “Nah… not really.” It’s said in a way that makes me think he has. But he doesn’t want to talk about it so I don’t ask.
This meeting is over lunch and it goes well, even though I don’t remember the manager, who clearly remembers me if the way he keeps an eye on me is any indication. Like any moment, he thinks I'm going to sucker punch him.
After lunch, Matteo takes me around to another warehouse, but that too doesn't require anything more than my observing.
But as the day progresses, the need to see Diana grows until a new sort of irritation sprouts. She's like a drug, and I’m going through withdrawals needing another hit.
When we arrive back at the mansion, I check the time and see that dinner is just around the corner. I give in to my need and make my way to the kitchen.
I push open the door, expecting to hear her humming or see her swaying as she works. Instead, I'm met with a flurry of activity. Anna and another woman, Janey or is it Marie, are rushing around, preparing dinner. But there's no sign of Diana.
A cold knot forms in my stomach. Something's wrong.
"Where's Diana?" I ask, my voice coming out harsher than I intend.
Anna freezes, a look of discomfort crossing her face. She exchanges a glance with the other woman before turning back to me.
"I'm sorry, Mr. D'Amato," she says, her voice careful. "Miss D’Amato… she let Diana go this afternoon."
The words are a punch to the gut. “Lana fired her?” I ask to be sure.
Anna nods.
“Fuck!” I bellow it, making the woman jump and step back. But they don’t have to fear me. Lana, on the other hand…
Anger burns through me. How dare she? After everything I've been through, after finally finding someone who makes me feel normal, who doesn't look at me like I'm broken or dangerous. Why would Lana take that from me? Does she hate me? Is she punishing me for something?
I clench my fists, and I turn on my heel, storming out of the kitchen to hunt down my sister. I find her in the foyer with Piper. I don’t have the control to save this discussion for a later time when I can get Lana alone.
"What the hell did you do?" I snarl at Lana.
She turns to me, her expression a mixture of annoyance and pity. "I did what was necessary, Lazaro. That girl was taking advantage of you."
"Taking advantage?" I scoff. "I fucked her, Lana. Not the other way around.”
Lana isn’t impressed with my outburst. Piper, though, flinches.
“You're vulnerable right now, and she saw an opportunity. I couldn't let that continue."
Her words only fuel my anger. "You had no right to make that decision for me. What do I have to do to get you to leave me the fuck alone?”
Pain flashes in Lana’s eyes, but I’m not swayed. Talk about manipulations. “She works for us, Lazaro. It's not smart to fuck the staff. But more importantly, you need time with family. She’s a distraction?—”
Something inside me snaps. I grab the nearest object, a decorative vase, and hurl it against the wall, letting my rageexplode. The vase shatters with a deafening crash, pieces scattering across the floor.
The sound echoes through the entry, followed by a stunned silence. As the last shard settles, I look up to see Lana and Piper staring at me. Piper's pale face and wide eyes bring me back to reality. What have I done?
Immediately, regret washes over me. I am exactly who they say I am. A violent, unpredictable man. The "mad dog" they all expect me to be.
“Goddammit, Lazaro,” Lana shouts at me as she puts an arm around Piper. “You’ve triggered trauma for Piper, you asshole. You know she was in an abusive relationship before Elio found her.”
Did I know that? Had they told me? I look at Piper, working to calm down and not appear like a maniac.
"I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" But the words feel hollow. Isn't this exactly what everyone expects of me? The violent outburst, the loss of control? I've just proven them all right.
Elio comes flying in, with Elysse behind him. The tension in the room ratchets up another notch as he scans the scene. His eyes dart from the shattered pieces on the floor to Piper's shaken expression.