Page 55 of Lost Prince
“How would it look if I allowed you to come into my home and disrespect me and didn’t do anything?” Elio’s eyes narrow, looking murderous. I swallow, wondering if he’s going to kill this man.
“Mr. Rinella.” Lana sweeps in with a smile. “What a pleasant surprise. I trust you're well?" She glances at Elio with a hard glare.
“Ms. D’Amato.” Vincenzo nods at her.
“Is there a problem?” she asks innocently, although I suspect she knows exactly what’s going on.
“He’s got his boxers in a bunch over our not informing him of Lazaro’s return,” Matteo says.
“Oh, is that all,” Lana says with a wave of her hand. “You know, dinner is going to be ready shortly. Why don’t you join us? I’m sure we can come to an understanding in a more comfortable setting."
Elio’s jaw clenches, but he nods. “You’re welcome to join us.”
"Very well," Rinella says gruffly.
Lana leads the way out of the living room to the dining room, followed by Rinella and Elio.
“I’m heading out,” I say to Matteo.
“No. Sorry, dude. You need to be here for this. Family first, you know.” Matteo gives me an apologetic smile.
My heart sinks, knowing I need to tell Diana our date is off but not able to escape the situation to do so. Reluctantly, I follow the others. As we enter the dining room, I'm surprised to see Piper and Elysse already there. Piper offers a warm smile, while little Elysse waves shyly from her seat.
Their presence gives me a flicker of hope. Surely, calmer heads will prevail with a child present.
Elio catches my eye from across the table, giving me a subtle nod. He's silently telling me to stay focused and probably to keep my temper under control.
The staff begins serving the first course, and I force myself to pay attention to the conversation around me. Rinella seems calmer now, though there's still an edge to his voice as he speaks with Elio.
"The alliance already took a major hit when you chose to break your engagement to my daughter for… her.” Rinella gestures dismissively toward Piper.
Elio tenses, his hand moving protectively toward his wife. “Careful.”
Rinella continues, his voice dripping with disdain. "Then you both accuse me of harassment, of calling the police on you.”
“We made a mistake. One we will fix,” Lana says.
“Right. You’ve talked about making amends, but now?" His eyes lock onto mine, and I’m at a loss as to why my whereabouts is such a big deal to him. "Now the 'long lost prince' returns home, and you don't even have the decency to inform me. In fact, it feels like you've been trying to keep it a secret. Why is that, I wonder?"
“It’s no secret.” Lana looks at him like she’s perplexed.
“I wasn’t informed.”
“It isn’t your business,” Elio growls.
“I beg to differ?—”
“You have to understand, Vincenzo, Lazaro’s return is such a blessing. We needed time to celebrate his return and for him to settle in with us. He needed time to heal?—”
“Heal?” Rinella looks me up and down. “Heal from what? And why aren’t you saying anything? Did you lose your tongue?”
“He lost his memory, Rinella, not that it’s your fucking business.”
Elysse’s eyes widen as Piper puts her hand on Elio’s arm.
“Sorry,” he says to her. Then he turns his attention back to Rinella. “I don’t know why you feel entitled to be involved in my family’s business. I assure you, how I run my family, how I look after my brother, doesn’t involve you.”
Rinella looks at me. “Lost your memory?”