Page 53 of Lost Prince
“Lola is nearly in tiptop shape.” I take a bite of the sandwich she brought.
As I eat, Diana sits with me, chatting away. She tells me about a funny incident in the kitchen earlier, her animated gestures making me chuckle. I’ve never been much of a talker, and she doesn’t seem to mind when I don’t add much to the conversation.
I finish the last bite of the delicious meal, and Diana reaches for my empty plate. I realize she’s going to leave, and I’m not ready for that. Playfully, I hold onto the plate, not allowing her to take it.
She arches a brow.
“You need to give me a kiss first.”
She laughs, the sound light and melodic. She moves closer, but I catch her glancing out the doors of the garage as if making sure no one is watching. It forces me to hold back what I really want to do, which is fuck her on the hood of her car. It’s one thing when we’re in my room, but outside that, especially during work hours, Diana is reserved. I can’t blame her. She’s in a difficult situation since she works for my family.
I settle for a quick kiss, releasing the plate into her waiting hands. "Thanks for lunch.”
Diana's smile is grateful as she takes the plate. "Anytime.”
I really want to pull her in my arms and kiss the breath out of her, but I resist. I can wait a few hours until she’s done with work. “Be ready at six. I’m taking you out to a fancy dinner.”
Her eyes light up. "Really?”
“Yep.” I feel bad I haven’t done it sooner.
“I’m not off until?—”
“I’ll clear it with Anna.”
She nods. “Okay.”
I watch her saunter away to the house and grin. Yes, life is good.
I finish up under Lola and head back to the house to clean up. I want everything to be perfect for Diana. She deserves it after everything she's done for me.
I shower and shave. Standing in front of my closet, I deliberate over my outfit choices. Since waking up in the hospital three years ago, I’ve worn jeans and T-shirts. Even now when going out with Matteo on jobs, I’m usually in jeans. But my closet is filled with suits and I decide to make use of one. I finally settle on a crisp white shirt and a dark suit that fits me like a glove. As I adjust my tie in the mirror, I admit I look pretty good. I hope Diana will be impressed.
I realize I need to let Anna know that Diana needs to be released from her duties early. I head downstairs, running into Matteo in the foyer, and nod a greeting.
He gives me a once-over and whistles. "Looking sharp tonight. Hot date?"
Before I can respond, a loud knock echoes through the house, startling us both.
Matteo opens the door, and an older gentleman forces his way in, his face twisted with rage, his eyes blazing as they lock on to me. My stomach tightens and tension grows. My body is ready to fight a perceived threat.
“So it’s true. The lost prince has returned.”
Matteo steps forward, his posture relaxed despite the tension crackling in the air. "Good evening to you too. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
The man’s glare shifts to Matteo, but he doesn't flinch. I admire his composure, wishing I could muster the same calm in the face of such fury.
"Don't play games with me, boy," the man snaps. "Your family has crossed a line, and I want answers."
Matteo shrugs like the man is an irritating gnat. “This is Vincenzo Rinella,” he says to me.
The man scowls. “He knows who I am?—”
“He doesn’t,” Matteo interrupts. “And I remind you that you’re in Elio D’Amato’s home. You’d be wise to temper your annoyance. There’s no need for all this drama."
I watch, amazed, as Matteo's light tone seems to take some of the edge off the man’s anger. The old man's shoulders relax slightly, though his scowl remains firmly in place.
“Where is Elio?”