Page 59 of Lost Prince

I’d sunk into a leather armchair, bracing myself. "What's to consider? You've already decided, haven't you?"

Lana looked at me with pity. "It's not that simple, and you know it."

"Do I?" I challenged. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're ready to make me pay for your mistakes."

Elio’s flashed with what I hoped was guilt. "This alliance is crucial. Dad and Vincenzo had worked for a long time to make this happen."

"It sounds like you’re why it hasn’t happened.”

Lana leaned forward. "We're not trying to force you into anything. But you have to understand the position we're in."

"And what about my position? I'm still trying to figure out who the hell I am, and now you want me to play happy families with a stranger?"

The room had fallen silent. I could see the conflict in their eyes, the desire to protect our family's interests warring with their concern for me. But the fact that family interests could win out hurt. Deep in my soul, I can feel the connection to them. I want to belong, to do my part for the family. But at what cost?

"What if I refuse?" I asked.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Elio said carefully. "We're just exploring options right now."

But I could read between the lines. In their eyes, I'm not just Lazaro, their brother. I'm a solution to a problem, a pawn in a game.

“Ava is a lovely young woman,” Lana said as if that would make a difference. “She’ll make a good wife.”

I simply glared at her. She’d talked a big talk about how she and I were a single soul in twin bodies, but in moments like this, I felt like what I wanted or needed didn’t matter.

“That’s not the point. I’m already seeing someone.”

Lana tensed. “She's the help, Lazaro. It’s time to let her go."

A red haze filled my brain. "Let her go? I’ve given up the life I knew to return to a family I don’t know. I’ve acted like a thug even though I hate it. And now I have to give up my personal life?” I turn to Lana. “Is that why you found me? To be your lapdog?” I turned to Elio. “You got to choose your woman. You let Lana fuck a cop, but I don’t get?—”

“Careful, Lazaro.” Elio’s voice was dark, a warning.

“Fuck you,” I roared, shooting up from the chair and heading to the door. If I had to fight my way out of the room, I would. "I'm not your puppet. I won't let you use me to fix your mistakes."

I left the room, needing Diana. I’d made it to the base of the stairs when Matteo’s hand settled on my shoulder. “How about we get out of here, grab a drink, clear our heads?"

“Why? So you can talk me into marrying Ava?”

He shakes his head. “No. I don’t want you to marry Ava. Plus, you’re pretty heated right now. Maybe you should calm down before seeing Diana.”

"Fine," I muttered, shrugging off Matteo's hand.

We ended up at a titty bar, but my focus was on the booze, not the women or loud music. Matteo prattled on, about what, I didn’t know. All I wanted was to lose myself in the noise, the alcohol, anything to drown out the voices in my head telling me my family only wanted me as a pawn.

Hours later, I stumbled back to my room, the world tilting dangerously. As I entered the room, a sobering realization cut through the fog of alcohol. Diana's bag. Packed and waiting.

But now she’s in my arms. She’s kissing me and telling me she’ll stay. I’m like a dying man who’s being filled with the elixir of life. Everything else fades away. The family drama, the expectations, the fear of losing myself again—none of it matters as long as she's here.

I pull back, searching her eyes for any sign she might change her mind and leave.

“I’m here.” She presses her hand against my cheek. It’s a soothing balm to my battered soul.

Our lips meet again, and this time, I give in to the need to lose myself in her. I strip us both bare and collapse on the bed. Desperation fuels me. I’m vaguely aware that I'm moving too fast. But I can’t slow down this driving need to be whole again. I plunge inside her pussy, hoping like hell she’s ready. Her body wraps around me, holds me. And then… only then, I stop. I savor the feeling of being seeped inside her. Being wrapped up and held together. All the scattered pieces of my psyche slide back together.

I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent. Her hands caress my back as if she knows what I need. I want to stay here forever. Here where I feel safe. Accepted. Needed.

But nature has other plans. Desire grows. Her pussy pulses around me. The pressure builds in my cock. I give in to that, moving slow at first, and then as need demands, faster, more forcefully until she cries out and I’m lost in pleasure, emptying all I am into this amazing woman.