Page 73 of Lost Prince

I shrug, wanting to act like it’s no big deal. “She left.”

“I didn’t tell her to go this time, but before… I confronted her, accused her of taking advantage of you. I was wrong, and I see that now. She brings out the best in you. You need her."

I shake my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Well, too bad for me then because she’s gone. Might as well marry Ava and help the family, right? I mean, it’s not that big of a hardship. She’s pretty. She’s sweet. She’s terrified of me, but I think she might be more scared of her father.”

“Rinella is a fuckhead, but that’s not the point. The point is you and Diana?—”

“There is no me and Diana. She's gone, and I have to learn to live without her, don't I?" The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I force myself to face the truth. Diana chose to leave.

“Why? Find her. Tell her how you feel. I’m certain she feels the same.”

It’s odd to hear Lana speak so forcefully about the power of love. “You don’t know shit.” I wince at the terseness of my voice. “She left. She doesn’t want me.”

“Or she left because you were being pressured to marry Ava. She either didn’t want to see you with another woman or maybe she left for the family, knowing this marriage was important.”

I stare at Lana, trying to keep the hope that she's right out of my heart. Maybe Diana didn’t leave because she didn’t want me. Maybe she left because I fucked up in not telling Elio and Lana no about the marriage from the start.

In the end, it doesn’t matter, though. “I have to marry Ava. Rinella will?—”

“Let me handle Rinella. There are other ways to appease him. He found another mate for her, so clearly, he’s letting go of the idea of Ava marrying a D’Amato.”

“I feel bad for Ava." That protective part of me wishes I could help her. "She doesn’t want to go to New York. Why can’t she marry Matteo? He's family and he said he’d do it.”

She laughs. “Matteo is a man whore…” She trails off. “Although he does act weird about her.” She shakes his head. “The point is, I'll make Rinella see reason."

"How? He's not exactly known for being reasonable."

"I have my ways," Lana says with a smirk. "Don't worry about that part. Your job is to make things right with Diana."

I run a hand through my hair. "She’s gone. She’s probably a million miles away… physically and emotionally by now.”

“Since when does something like that stop a D’Amato?”

"What if I do find her but it's too late? What if she doesn't want me anymore?" I don't know if I could handle her rejection.

Lana reaches out and squeezes my arm. "Then at least you'll know you tried. But I saw the way she looked at you. I don't think it's too late."

I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe she’s better off without me?—”

“Don’t you ever say that, Lazaro D’Amato.” Lana’s voice is sharp. “You’re a good man. You’re better off with her, and she’s better off with you.”

“I don’t know where to look. She gave up her apartment.”

“Lucky for you, my man is a private eye. I’ve already asked Henry to help locate her."

I stare at my sister, stunned by her thoughtfulness. "You did that? For me?"

Lana nods, her eyes shining with affection. "Of course I did. You're my brother. I want you to be happy. I know it sometimes doesn't feel like it. I can be a bitch, but when all is said and done, I want you to be as happy as I am. I believe Diana is the one who can do that for you."

Overwhelmed by her love and support, I pull Lana into a tight hug. She wraps her arms around me, and for a moment, we're just kids again, facing the world together.

As we pull apart, I feel a renewed sense of purpose coursing through me. I hop up from the car, energy thrumming through my veins. "I'm going to find her. I don't care how long it takes or what I have to do."

Lana grins at me. "That's the Lazaro I know.” She presses her hands to my cheeks. “You’re afraid of your anger, the violence, but that’s not what you are. Passion is what fuels you, Lazaro. Yes, sometimes it’s an angry passion, but even that comes from love. Love for your family. Love for Diana.”

I close my eyes, letting her words seep into my soul. It’s odd how much I needed to hear those words. How they resonate. Passion and intensity don’t have to be negative. I can steer them into something positive. Into a life with Diana. If she’ll have me.

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