Page 46 of Lost Prince

DIANA

I’m smiling like a loon as Lazaro drives me back to the D’Amato mansion. My heart is racing, partly from the thrill of being with him and partly from nerves about what comes next.

Warmth spreads through me at his possessiveness. It's still hard to believe that someone like Lazaro wants me. He's so intense, so passionate. When I'm with him, I feel seen in a way I never have before.

But as we near the estate, anxiety starts to creep in. What will happen when we get there? The thought of facing Lana again makes my stomach churn. I replay our confrontation in my mind, cringing at how I spoke to her. Sure, she was disparaging me, but I should have remembered my place. Even if Lazaro says I did nothing wrong, I know I overstepped.

In truth, a part of me feels relieved. As terrifying as Lana was, I know it could have been much worse. Lana is a Mafia princess. The fact that I walked away with just a job loss and wounded pride is probably the best outcome I could have hoped for.

I think back to fleeing the estate. At first, I focused on my next steps. I've faced worse challenges than losing a job. I wasshuffled through the foster system, striking out on my own at eighteen with nothing but a duffel bag and determination. This setback is just another bump in the road.

So once I got back to my little studio apartment, I updated my resume and browsed job listings online. I even considered leaving town and finally making my way to Minnesota. But the idea of leaving Chicago, of leaving Lazaro, makes my chest tighten. The truth is, the more I consider leaving, the sadder I feel. Chicago has started to feel like home in a way no other place has before. My job and working with Anna brings me more joy than I ever expected.

And then there's Lazaro. This connection between us, this spark that's grown into something warm and bright. The idea of walking away from whatever this is between us feels impossible, even as I know it’s silly to think this could grow into something more. I’m torn between feeling like I might have finally found my place and knowing it’s just wishful thinking.

It wasn’t long before I became a weeping mess as all these emotions overwhelmed me. And then Lazaro showed up and hauled me off to his place.

"You okay?" Lazaro asks, glancing over at me.

I force a smile. "Just thinking."

As we pull up the drive of the estate, my stomach does a nervous flip.

Lazaro parks the car and turns to me, his eyes intense. "Ready?"

I nod, trying to hide my nervousness.

“You try to run, I’ll just hoist you over my shoulder again,” he says with a crooked smile. It’s his smile that gives me the courage to move forward, to risk Lana’s wrath. Lazaro is a broody, unsettled man, and when he smiles, I feel like I’m seeing a part of him no one else sees.

He leads me inside, guiding me through the back halls and stairs. Even so, I glance around, half-expecting Lana to appear at any moment. When we make it to Lazaro's room without encountering her, I let out a breath.

Lazaro's expression darkens for a moment before he pulls me close. The heat in his eyes makes my pulse quicken. “Don’t worry about Lana. You're here because I want you here. No one else's opinion matters."

I want to believe him, but I suspect Lana wouldn’t agree.

"Don't even think about leaving again," Lazaro growls, a hint of humor in his tone despite the seriousness behind his words. "I might just have to chain you to the bed."

I know he's joking, but there's an undercurrent of truth to his words that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Chain me to the bed? That seems a bit extreme, don't you think?"

His eyes glint mischievously. "Twice now, I’ve had to come after you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you here."

I raise an eyebrow, letting go my fears of Lana and instead focusing on Lazaro. "Oh, really? And what if I decide to make a run for it right now?"

Before I can even think about moving, Lazaro lifts me off my feet and then tosses me onto the bed.

"Then I'll just have to teach you a lesson," he growls playfully, his hand coming down in a light swat on my backside.

I gasp, because strangely, it turns me on. "You seem to have a thing for spanking."

Lazaro grins wickedly as he crawls over me. "Maybe. What are you going to do about it?"

I try to wriggle away, but he catches me easily, pulling me back against his chest. His lips find my neck, and I melt into him.

"Okay, okay," I concede, breathless with laughter. "I won’t run. No chains."

His eyes search mine, and I see the relief in them. "Good. I know you're too good for this place, too good for me, but?—”