Page 80 of Lost Prince

My hands falter on the knot. "Lazaro."

“It’s time for your next adventure,” he commands. “Do it, Diana. Leave and forget all about me.”

As if I could. His words suggest that he knows I’m not working with Peter. That I wasn’t spying. But what good does that do me now when he’s prepared to die to save me?

There's so much I want to tell him… about the baby, about how much I've missed him, about how sorry I am for leaving without an explanation… how much I love him. But before I can say anything, Peter presses the gun to the back of my head.

"Hurry up," he snarls, his patience wearing thin.

I know this might be my last chance to speak to Lazaro. My hands tremble as I finish securing the tie around his wrists in what I hope is a slip knot that he might be able to loosen and save himself.

I look up into his eyes, stuffing the end of the tie into the palms of his hands. "I love you."

Lazaro’s breath hitches. His eyes flash with emotion. Then his jaw sets, his eyes hardening with determination. "Then leave and don't look back.”

The finality in his tone makes my chest tighten. I want to argue, to tell him I can't just abandon him. But I see the resolvein his eyes, and I know he won't be swayed. He's doing this to protect me, to protect our unborn child.

“Go!” Peter taps the gun against my back and pushes. On wobbly legs, I make my way to the door of the café, pushing it open and stepping out into the cool late afternoon air.

Tears blur my vision as Lazaro's words echo in my mind, urging me to leave town and never look back. But how can I abandon him?

I take a few steps away from the door when a strong hand grabs my arm and pulls. Before I can scream, a hand covers my mouth. Panic rises.

“It’s Henry. You’re safe.” Henry pulls me away from the café entrance, his eyes scanning the area until we’re around the corner of the building. “What’s going on in there?” His grip loosens on me.

“To be honest, I’m not quite sure. I thought I was having a job interview but… Lazaro recognized him. Peter?—”

“Oh, fuck.” Henry runs his fingers through his hair.

“I take it you know him? He says Lazaro killed his father. Lazaro says he didn’t. I think he remembers when he was kidnapped. He said Peter and some others ambushed him.”

Henry's face pales. "I’d heard Peter escaped from the mental hospital, but I was sure he left town. I’ve been searching for him, but… fuck!”

"Peter… he said he killed Lazaro's parents. That he was the officer who responded to their car accident but instead of helping them, he killed them."

Henry closes his eyes as if he can’t take any more bad news. Matteo and Elio appear out of the shadows, their expressions grim.

“What’s going on?” Elio demands.

“It’s Peter Hartley,” Henry informs them.

“You’re fucking kidding me?” Matteo growls.

“We should have killed him after what he did to Lana. Instead, we let the justice system deal with him. Look where that's gotten us.” Elio sends Henry a scathing glare.

"What are we going to do?" My voice trembles, but I’m determined to save Lazaro. “We can't just leave Lazaro in there with that madman."

“You need to go back to the mansion,” Henry says firmly.

Lazaro's words echo in my mind, urging me to leave town and never look back. But I can't bring myself to leave. Not until I know he’s safe.

"I can't leave until I know Lazaro's okay.”

“We can’t help him and worry about you,” Henry says, and then he starts to arrange a ride for me.

"I have my car. I can drive myself."

"Are you sure you're okay to drive?" Henry asks.