Chapter 20
LILY
“Brutish asshole,” I grumble under my breath. It’s not like I want to go on the date, and it’s been a constant back-and-forth argument between Lorenzo and me since I admitted my father’s demand. If anything, it’s the only topic of conversation we’ve really circled over the last week.
What Lorenzo doesn’t know about is the gift Riley Timber sent me or the time and date I’m supposed to meet with him.
It’s tonight, and as I peel off the dress I wore to work, I consider my options. I could suck it up and go on the date. Or… I could not go. That will definitely be defying my father.
I bite at my bottom lip, tight knots twisting in my stomach as I think about finally disobeying him, but it’s quickly followed by the thought of losing my mother and brother, or how he might lash out at them as well.
I pick up my phone and call my brother. He’s tried to call a few times since the disastrous dinner with my parents, but I’ve been avoiding him, selfishly considering he won’t be in town for much longer.
“She finally calls back. Hold up, give me one second.” I can hear him lower the phone and say to someone, “I’m stepping out for five minutes. You take over the meeting.” A few more words are exchanged and then he’s back on. “About time you returned my call.”
“You shouldn’t be leaving meetings. I can call back.”
“No. You’re more important than any meeting. I wanted to talk to you anyway. You looked stressed at dinner. Is everything okay? Is it Dad?”
That final question prickles at the unsaid words.
Vince had reservations about leaving me behind in Manhattan when he left for London.
But if I cut ties with the family, then Mom will be stuck in that house with Dad, and I just don’t have it in me to do that to her. Even the thought of it terrifies me.
“No, I hardly visit them,” I admit as I put on a silk robe and sit at the end of my bed. I pick up a pink pillow and hug it to my chest. “I’ve been thinking about not going on this date tonight with this Timber guy.”
There's a beat of silence, then he says, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I curl further into myself. I’ve always looked up to Vince; he’s the only voice of reason I can depend on in our family. I half expected him to agree with me, as if I were seeking his permission.
“I know you don’t like it. I don’t like it either. But you know how he’ll react. Dad’s really good friends with Riley Timber's father. Just go on the date, entertain the idea. You never know, you might hit it off.”
Hit it off? I doubt that. In the past, Vince has told me to ghost the men Dad pushes at me. And last week, he seemed happy about me being with Lorenzo. I know it’s not a real relationship, but the idea that not even my family acknowledges someone of my own choosing hurts.
“Lily?”
“I thought you liked Lorenzo,” I find myself quietly saying, dejected.
“I do. Look, he seems nice, but we have to be real for a second about your future,” he begins, and my heart shatters.
He was the last person I expected to hear this from.
“I know it’s hard right now, but it will get better.
I promise. You know I didn’t want to take over the companies, and now look at me. I’m thriving.”
“But you’re not being sent around like a bargaining tool,” I retort angrily.
Silence again.
“I know I don’t understand, because I’m not his daughter, but I’m certain that although he doesn’t show it, he’s doing this out of a sense of caring somewhere in that diabolical heart of his. It’s just a date.”
It’s not just a date.
It’s a lifetime of control and abuse.
We’re all conditioned to work around him, programmed to step on eggshells around him, and I’m just too tired to dance for him anymore.
“I’ve been thinking about distancing myself from the family,” I confess.
“What do you mean by that?” he says sharply. “Lily, you can’t do that. What will you do? There’s no way you can support yourself without the family money and—”
“I have my shop and—”
“I thought that was a cute passion project you were doing.” Tears well in my eyes the moment I hear passion project.
It was Vince who supported the idea, so my heart breaks realizing not even he truly believed in it.
“Shit, Lily, that surely can’t pay for your lifestyle.
No, you absolutely cannot do that. You know he’ll cut all ties with you.
Hell, he’ll make me and Mom cut all ties.
Look, I know sometimes it feels a little restrictive, but we have everything we could ever ask for. What more could you want?”
Tears trail down my cheeks. I’ve squirreled away money for years now, in case my father ever did freeze my accounts. I’m self-sufficient and haven’t depended on family money for a long time, other than the wardrobe my parents expect me to have for all the grand events I’m forced to attend.
I’ve done everything for my family, and yet, what has it ever done for me? But the ache in my chest intensifies at the thought of my mother and how my father might retaliate against her if I leave.
I thought my brother was my ally, but in truth, I have nobody.
“Lily?”
I wipe at my tears and break out into a maddening smile. “It was just a thought. Anyway, I need to get ready for a date. Talk soon!” I hang up the phone and take a shaky breath as I stare up at the ceiling.
Maybe I should run away. But the moment I do, I know the guilt will eat me alive.
I stand, adjusting my robe, then descend the stairs to grab a glass of wine. If I’m doing this, I need to have some liquid courage so I don’t say the things that are truly on my mind.
I glance in the direction of Lorenzo’s usual spot when I reach the bottom of the stairs. But instead of my overprotective fake boyfriend, I find a man wearing a white mask with a light-blue gem staring at me.
“Hi there, sweetheart.”
I scream, pure dread running through my veins as memories of what happened in Italy assault me.
The guest bedroom door bursts open. Lorenzo and the intruder whip their guns at one another in unison.
The two stare at one another only for a moment before Lorenzo grits out, “You’re early.”
All thoughts of blood and fire evaporate as my heart pounds, but my focus drifts to something entirely different. My mouth dries as Lorenzo steps toward me, butt-ass naked, water dripping down his muscles as he leaves small puddles of water in his wake.
He doesn’t look away from the man as he prowls toward me and comes to a stop as if blocking the man's view of me. My gaze dips down to his ass.
That’s a good fucking ass.
The man in the mask chuckles as he lowers his own gun. “Since when have you ever been disappointed by punctuality? But if you want me to join you in the shower to help loosen you up a little, I’m not opposed.”
His gaze drops to Lorenzo’s cock, and I can’t help but angle my head slightly to do the same. I swallow. Hard.
It’s only semi-hard, and I’m terrified by the sheer size.
I don’t even think that would fit inside me.
Tattoos mark his back and chest. They’re random yet elegant, and I’m surprised by the renegade style. There’s one that sticks out, the one on his arm that looks like a childlike angel with a bow. Cupid maybe?
“Quit being a smartass and remove your mask,” Lorenzo instructs.
I lean into Lorenzo, my heart loudly beating as I find safety in hiding behind his size.
“Are you sure about that? Boss is pretty clear he doesn’t want anyone seeing this pretty face. Aren’t you scared your woman might fall for me?” the man asks.
“That’s an order. Remove your mask. Don’t make me regret this, you little shit,” Lorenzo bites out.
“I’ll deal with the boss's punishment. I’m ordering you to remove the mask because…
it’s unsettling for her,” he says, looking over his shoulder, his dark-brown gaze scanning over me, as if to make sure I’m okay.
The man seems hesitant to remove his mask.
“What’s going on here?” I quietly ask. Nothing feels like mine anymore. Not my apartment. Not my life. Why am I doing everything to keep my shit together when everything is being imposed on me from the outside in? This, of all places, was meant to be my sanctuary, and now I don’t even have that.
Another rule broken. I told him specifically not to invite his weirdo friends, and here we are, with some guy wearing a fucking mask, casually leaning against the couch in my living room, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
The man removes his mask. I expect to see jagged scars or burns or something terrifying, not bright-blue eyes set in a youthful face.
He’s younger than I would’ve guessed; perhaps a few years younger than me.
But there’s an edge to him that definitely has me taking a step back.
He smiles, and it's perfect yet malicious at the same time.
This is not a good man. And although I know the same holds for Lorenzo, he feels different.
“I need to do some work tonight,” Lorenzo says, turning to face me.
My gaze immediately drops to his cock, and that palpable tension crackles between us.
I hate how I naturally lean into him, and I have to force myself to step back.
Because no matter how attractive he is, this constant invasion of my privacy is not okay.
Lorenzo snaps his fingers, and without any further communication, the other man throws a cushion toward him. He snatches it from the air and holds it in front of his cock. And I know it’s for my sake.
“What the fuck is happening?” I find myself asking.
“The Armani household conducts a lot of underhanded business. When it gets messy, he calls on his hounds. Despite this guy being a total pain in my ass, I trust him to protect you in my absence,” Lorenzo states.
“The hounds, however, aren’t usually allowed to show their faces, but I’ll take the consequence in making an exception for you. ”
A breath whooshes out of me. “Are you kidding me? I’m not some object to be passed around. What, you didn’t think I’m worth even a conversation when you’re inviting murderers into my home?”
He frowns, almost as if confused. I don’t know why he’s shocked; we’ve been having constant arguments about boundaries, and he’s disregarded them every step of the way.
“Murderer is such an ugly word. I prefer professional killer because I do get paid for it,” the newcomer says.
“Shut up!” I snap at him before Lorenzo has the chance.
I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m not some package to be handed off.
This is my home, and you yourself are not even a guest. I’m sick of all of this shit!
No one is coming for me, Lorenzo, so you need to pack your shit and get the fuck out of here! ”
Silence fills the air as he stares at me, those brown eyes darkening.
The newcomer whistles. “I think I like her.”
“You don’t touch her,” Lorenzo barks.
He throws his hands in the air. “Okay, Daddy, don’t need to get all territorial with me.”
Fuck this.
This is just a game to these people.
I shove past Lorenzo, but he grabs my wrist. “We’re not done here.”
I fling my arm out of his grasp. “No, we’re very done here. It’s funny how you tell me to have some backbone, to stand up against everyone, and yet you’re no different than any of them! If anything, you’re the worst! You can shove your duty right up your ass. Don’t even speak to me. We’re done!”
I walk to the kitchen, my head held high as I reach for the wine.
Fuck this and everyone involved.
I’ll go on this stupid date like a good girl, performing as expected, but I’ll be calling Ara tomorrow. I don’t care about the circumstances anymore. I need Lorenzo gone and to figure out what I want for myself.
Because this is not it.