“The meet went like I said it would. I think the only thing helpful now would be to see what Field has been up to in Valentia, and if he was successful.”

Alex leaned back in his chair, currently situated in one of the lounges at the MARC. “I’ll check with my union contacts to see if he’s reached out to anyone else. However, Lorenzo, don’t you think trying to stop the strike is a fruitless task at this point? We should just prepare for strike talks.”

“The strike may not happen, and I think it’d be better for all of us if it doesn’t.”

Nate nodded. As Valleria’s Minister of Finance and Treasury, he also had a vested interest in avoiding a strike. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but maybe Alex is also right.”

“How’s Papa handling all this?” At the mention of their father, all his brothers stiffened. “That’s what I thought. He’s recovering, that’s true, but he doesn’t need this added stress right now.” His brows furrowed as he wondered again what stress he might cause him when he learned about his little Liliana.

“Captain?” a MARC worker called.

“Yes, Jeannie?”

“The tea is all set up and everyone’s on their way down.”

“Thank you. Was everyone informed that my brothers would be in attendance?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Excellent.” Lorenzo stood up and gestured for his brothers to follow. “Come on. We’re going to greet everyone as they come in.”

“What’s the point of tea?” Nate asked.

“Socialization in a non-threatening setting. Members of the VSO spend a lot of time here and enjoy tea with the residents,” Lorenzo said, referring to the Vallerian Service Organization.

“This helps?” Marcello asked.

“Not always. The reactions tend to be extreme: either people hate it and refuse to attend, or they’ll like it but won’t admit they do. In any case, it gets the residents out of their rooms. A lot of them have had rough days already, as some have therapy, PT, and a host of other things we’ve done to push them. And VSO members are trained to deal with returning soldiers, and the challenges they face.”

He led them into one of the dining halls. Tables set for six were scattered around the room. Some standard chairs at each table were either missing to allow for wheelchair access, or altered to allow for other disabilities or comfort. Though it boasted traditional tea fare – finger sandwiches and the like – it also featured some heartier food. The aroma of Vallerian Grey tea and Vallerian Roast coffee, as well as scrumptious food filled the room. He hoped they had a good turnout.

Lorenzo greeted the VSO members and double-checked the setup before arranging himself near the door. Slowly, the residents started trickling in, greeting him with familiarity, and his brothers with reserve. Ethan was giving the residents a keen gaze, as if assessing their injuries – doctor’s habit, he supposed – while Alex, Nate, Marcello, and Eddie greeted them with respect.

He turned to his brothers during a lull in arrivals. “All of you should take a seat. Spread out at different tables. I’ll stay here to greet the last few who arrive and check on a few things.” As they nodded and walked off, Lorenzo counted heads. Several MARC residents were missing.

Including Perez. Damn it.

“Andrea,” he called to one of the VSO members. “Please head up to room forty-seven, and take a tray of something with you. There’s a soldier there I’m worried about. Hector Perez.”

“Of course, Captain. I’ll head up there now.”

He took in Andrea’s pretty petite frame, and recalled how Perez had looked that morning. “Ask the nurses to give him a heads up before you get there. I don’t want you to walk into anything, er, uncomfortable.”

Andrea giggled. “Of course, Captain.”

As she wandered off, other staff or VSO members asked him for input or decisions that needed to be made, so Lorenzo spent most of tea time running around. It was only after a glance at his watch, when he realized tea time was almost over, that he took an empty chair beside Alex. He poured himself a cup of coffee, which was still hot thanks to the volunteers.

Alex eyed Lorenzo’s empty plate. “Nothing to eat?”

Lorenzo, too anxious about that evening to eat anything, just shook his head. “I’ve got plans later, remember?”

“Hot date, Cap?” one of the soldiers teased with a smile; few knew the hard work and time that went into something as simple as a smile.

Lorenzo smiled back big. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” As the men around the table chuckled and the women softly smiled, Alex did none of that.

He leaned forward, so only Lorenzo heard. “We still need words, you and I.”

Lorenzo positioned a coffee cup in front of his mouth. “Maybe later.”

“Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo’s voice was a whispered hiss, his body stiff; the others at the table couldn’t mistake the fact he was now pissed off. “Not now. All right? This isn’t the time or place for you to ream me out. I deserve more respect than that. Hell, any respect, would be good.”

Alex put a hand on Lorenzo’s leg and squeezed. “That’s not why we have to talk. Before you run off for your date, can you spare a few minutes?”

He couldn’t. He had to change, then pick up some flowers for his girl and for Lily. Though they didn’t live far, Lorenzo would have to take a roundabout path five times as long to throw any paparazzi off the scent. He was surprised none had seen him at the beach that morning. “I don’t have time, and I can’t be late.”

Alex was silent for a beat. “The one you’re seeing, she’s important.”

“All women are important. Who I’m meeting tonight is very important to me, personally.”

Another beat, then Alex took a deep breath. “I think you mean that. Well. Will you tell me about her?”

“Yes, but not now.”

Alex nodded. “Good.” He squeezed Lorenzo’s leg, then let go and turned back to the table.

Lorenzo cleared his throat, which was surprisingly thick with emotion. “So, how’d you like sitting with Alex? You can be honest. Tell me how boring he really was.”

A few stifled chuckles and pursed lips scattered around the table. “It was an honour to meet His Highness,” one woman said.

“Always good to meet a man who’s served, Your Highness,” another said.

Lorenzo shook his head. “If only you knew the man he really was, then…”

“Then what?”

“Then you’d probably respect him a helluva lot more than you already do.”

Alex blinked in surprise just as Lorenzo spied Rebecca entering the room. She had a bright smile on her face that only he and his family could tell was for show. Something hadn’t been right with Rebecca for some time now, but he and his brothers had left that in Alex’s capable hands. If they needed help, they’d ask for it.

That was the problem with his family. When Alex or Rebecca might need help, the family waited until they asked for it. With Lorenzo, however, they just assumed he needed it without even asking. He’d have to change that, and soon.

“It seems my newest sister has just arrived.”

Alex turned sharply in his chair and stood up, his avid gaze following her movement across the room towards him. He relaxed his face as she drew near and went into his arms. “Hi, darling.” He gave her a brief kiss, which she returned. “How’d everything go?”

“Later,” she murmured and he nodded.

When Rebecca broke away from Alex, she leaned towards Lorenzo, who gave her a kiss on each cheek. “Hello, sister. You’re looking lovely, as always.”

“Thanks, Lorenzo.” She turned to the table and was startled to see the remaining occupants standing. “I forget sometimes I’m a princess,” she murmured, only loud enough for him and Alex to hear.

Alex kissed her temple. “You’ll get used to it.”

She smiled wide again, aiming it for the table. “Thank you, but no need for formality. Please be seated.”

She waved to Nate, Marcello, and Ethan, then looked around. “Is there room for another? Perhaps at another table? Sorry, I just popped by. I ended up leaving the hospital earlier than expected.”

Lorenzo downed the last of his coffee, then gestured to a volunteer for another cup. “It’s no trouble. You can take my seat.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. I need to head out anyway. Until next time ladies and gentlemen. Alex.” He clapped Alex on the shoulder, and waved to his other brothers as he made his way out the door.

Time to get ready for tonight.

* * *

Lily had spent an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to wear. This decision, of course, occurred mentally, as Liliana would hardly allow her a moment to herself. Now, however, standing in front of her bathroom mirror, she wondered if she’d made the right decision.

She’d been trying for that I’m-a-wonderful-mother-and-still-beautiful-and-don’t-need-you-look that said she didn’t need him or his money. Though, truthfully, she could use both. How she could use both.

Their doorbell – which never worked well – rang then clanged. “I’ll get it, Mama!”

“No, you won’t! Remember what Mama said.”

Lily heard Liliana stomp her little feet as she rounded the corner into the hall and made her way towards her. “I can so get it!”

“Not until you can see through the peephole. You never answer a door without first checking to see who it is.”

“Mama–”

She bent down and scooped her up, then started towards the front door. “Honey, I know you don’t like that rule, but it’s a rule that can help protect you and keep you safe. Mama wants the best for you, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.”

Lily stopped behind the front door. “Then sometimes, even if you don’t like the rule, you need to follow it. Now, the prince is probably on the other side of the door.”

Liliana’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really. Why don’t you look and see if it’s him?”

Lily lifted her a little more until she could look through the peephole. “It’s him! It’s him! Put me down, Mama.”

Fighting the urge to hold her tight, Lily put her down and straightened the skirt of the glittering pink, frothy-skirted ‘princess’ dress Liliana had insisted on wearing. “Step back for a minute so I can let him in, okay?”

“Okay, Mama.”

She took a deep breath, her hand suddenly cool and damp on the doorknob, and opened the door.

God, Lorenzo. He’d showered recently, as his wavy black hair gleamed, the tips still wet. She caught the scent of his cologne, musky and male, just the lightest touch of it to bring out everything dark and dashing about him. He was taller than her, even when she wore heels, making him seem larger than life.

Her voice was unintentionally soft and breathy. “Lorenzo.”

His voice was low and gruff, his eyes suddenly stormy with anger. “Lily.”

Liliana jumped forward, her voice bright and excited. “That’s me!” She picked up the edge of her puffy, pink tulle skirt with dainty fingers and did an exaggerated and wobbly curtsy. “Your Highness.”

Anger faded as a smile split his lips. “My Lady.” He bowed to her in return, and Liliana jumped up again, this time clapping her hands.

“These are for you.” He handed her a small bouquet of pink lilies, then turned to Lily and handed her a second bouquet of purple lilies. “And these are for you.”

“Thank you,” she said breathily. “Say thank you, honey.”

“Thank you.” Then Liliana rushed forward, gave her mother her flowers, and took hold of his hand. “Come and play with me!”

Lily watched her daughter chatter away, Lorenzo engaging easily with her, then caught sight of her small hand inside his long, lean one. Her daughter had no idea what was coming – their daughter, she reminded herself; it was hard to come to terms with the fact she wasn’t alone as a parent anymore.

Lily slipped into the kitchen and arranged the flowers in vases, then pulled the fresh pot of Vallerian roast coffee from its maker and set it on a tray. She added two mugs – inexpensive ones at that, since she’d sold all her expensive china long ago – and added a small, plastic cup for Liliana. She poured some cooled hot chocolate inside and added some whipped cream. She placed a plate of cookies on the tray, took a deep breath, and then carried everything into the living room.

Lorenzo sat cross-legged on the floor while Liliana danced around him, pretending to throw fairy dust over him. The only thing Liliana loved more than being a pretend princess was being a pretend magical fairy.

Lily poured them both a cup of coffee, adding cream and sugar to hers. “Lily, honey, do you want your hot chocolate?”

The magical fairy disappeared and the little girl came back. “Yummy!” She ran towards her.

“No running! This is hot, hot, hot, remember? You could get hurt.”

Liliana slowed and gave her a baby-toothed grin. “Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

“Lorenzo? Some coffee? It’s regular, but I can brew some decaf if you’d prefer.”

He stood, his presence overwhelming the small, yet cozy room. “Regular’s fine.” He walked toward her and she held out a cup, but he just stared at it.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s black.”

Lily lowered her cup-filled hand, her brow wrinkling. “Oh, well, would you prefer cream and sugar?”

“Why did you give it to me black?”

She bit her lip, gave Liliana a quick glance – she was still lost in the euphoria of a surprise hot chocolate – then turned back to him. “You used to drink it black. I just thought…well, never mind. What would you like in it?”

“You remembered.”

Her voice was a whisper, and she wasn’t sure he heard her. “I’d never forget you, or anything about you.”

The air became thick and heavy, with the sort of despair that comes over someone when they realize all they’ve lost.

Then she remembered why she lost it, why she had to give him up, and what would happen to her once everyone found out about them, and about Liliana. A shudder rippled through her, settling like ice in her veins.

She was broken from her thoughts by Lorenzo leaning down and taking the cup from her hands. She looked up into his dark eyes, and they seemed more curious than angry. She’d imagined this day a lot over the last five years. She’d imagined his anger, his disbelief – all of that she’d seen on the beach that morning. She’d never imagined there might be curiosity or interest as well.

His voice was like a warm wave, washing the ice away. “Is there someplace we can talk?”

Lily turned to their princess, who was sitting next to her enjoying her drink, her little feet kicking in excitement. “The kitchen. Lily, honey, we’re just going to get something from the kitchen, okay? Stay on the couch and we’ll be right back.”

“Okay, Mama.”

When they walked inside the small space she turned to face Lorenzo, but gasped instead as he maneuvered her against the fridge, his long arms pinning her in on either side. His body didn’t touch hers but it felt as though it was. “Lorenzo.”

“Why are you wearing that?”

She blinked. “I–what?”

“That shirt. You were wearing that color the day you walked away from me.”

“I, I didn’t realize it. I swear I didn’t.” Realization dawned. “Is that why you were so angry when you arrived?”

He searched her face for several moments, then relaxed and leaned away from her, his arms falling away. “Yes, it was. I thought you were playing games, but I believe you weren’t. I don’t know why I should believe anything you say, but I do.”

Her shoulders sagged and she dragged her hands through her hair. “Look, can we do this later? You can insult me all you want when we’re alone, but not in front of Lily.”

He stiffened, then leaned closer again. “And that’s another thing. Why did you name her Lily?”

“You know why,” she whispered, then shook her head. “Not now, okay? Ask me anything later, after she’s asleep. We’ve only got another minute before she gets distracted and comes looking for us.”

He pursed his lips, but nodded. “You’re right. We’ll wait. Now tell me: what’s the best way to approach her with this conversation? You’re the one who knows her best.”

She could feel the pain in his words, pain that she’d caused, pain that she’d had to cause to protect him. God, what would he do if he found out? If he realized who was really behind their separation?

She cleared her throat. “Keep it simple and keep it straight. Lily gets easily distracted, but if she recognizes this is serious, she’ll sit still for a little while. If you can trust me a little more, it might be best if I started the conversation.”

He stiffly nodded, reluctantly agreeing. “How do you think she’ll take this?”

“I honestly don’t know. She’s asked about her father a few times and, as I mentioned, I’ve told her your name. We can start there. She doesn’t dwell on things, but her emotions tend to be extreme: happy and excited, or crying and distraught. She’s rarely ever just calm, unless she’s sleeping or at pre-school.”

“All right. There are just two other things to discuss before we speak to her.”

Her fingers began toying with the edge of her shirt. “What?”

“First, I’ve mentioned this before, but for security, you’ll need to move into the castle.”

She automatically shook her head. “We need to talk about that.”

“And we will. But surely, given everything that’s happened to my family in the last year alone, you realize there are forces out there that will stop at nothing to bring us down. The latest was when they tried to murder my new sister-in-law right before her wedding. No one is safe, and I need to manage that risk. If you think I’m not going to do everything in my power to protect you both, you clearly don’t remember me as well as you think you do.”

“Oh, I remember, all right,” she grumbled. She couldn’t hide from this anymore, couldn’t put off the decision for another day.

Pros: she and Liliana would be safe at the castle. Her lack of steady income would be inconsequential, not to mention no more cooking or cleaning.

Cons: she liked the cooking and cleaning, at least when she did them for Liliana. She liked knowing she could take care of her child, to prove her parents wrong, and to prove to herself she was worth something.

If they lived in the castle, she was also sure to see the person who’d driven her and Lorenzo apart years ago. It was uncomfortable, but it wasn’t unexpected.

They were, after all, a member of his family.

She took a deep breath. There was only one choice she could make. “Okay. I know you’re right. We would be safer in the castle, and I’ll do anything to protect my daughter. So, I’ll agree to move into the castle.”

His chest swelled in triumph.

“But, there are conditions we need to discuss first.”

“Of course. I fully expected that.”

She nodded. “What’s the second thing?”

“I’ll need a paternity test, so we’ll have to walk her through the process.” She stood in mute shock while he continued. “I’ve brought what we need with me, and I know a discreet doctor who will complete the test.”

Anger, hot and volcanic, gurgled inside her. “You! I can’t! You don’t believe–”

His hands wrapped around her arms quickly and tightly. “Of course, I bloody well believe she’s mine. Just look at her. Of course, she’s my daughter.”

She relaxed only slightly. “Then why the hell–”

“Because I’m a prince. If anyone doubts that Lily has my protection, we have medical proof she’s mine. And, I’m sorry to say, that not everyone in my family will believe she’s mine, even with the proof looking them straight in the face. I don’t want to do it. I need to do it. Do you understand?”

She pursed her lips, arguing with herself whether or not to tell him something. She decided he needed to know. “I understand. There’s something you should know, however: a DNA test was already done, using blood taken from you at the hospital. So, that’s not something we need to do.”

“You have the results?”

“Yes, I do.”

“So why were you so upset at the thought of a paternity test?”

“I was upset by the thought you didn’t believe me, and wanted a paternity test to prove she was yours. I may not be the best person, but I’d never lie to you about something like that.”

“I know. I told you I believed you.”

She nodded, satisfied with his answer. “Come on, then. Let’s go speak to Liliana.” When he didn’t let her go, she stared expectantly. “Something else?”

His voice was low and soft. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

She sucked in a breath.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to get more beautiful, but you did.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, then stepped back. “After you.”

“Thank you,” she breathed, then walked slowly back into the living room. Lily’s cup sat precariously on the edge of the table, and she’d found the remote and was pressing random buttons. Lily rushed forward. “Let me take that, honey.”

“I wanna watch princess show.”

The cartoon about a girl princess’s life was one of her favorites. “Maybe later.” She flipped off the television and scooted the almost empty cup back on firmer ground. “We want to talk to you for a few minutes, okay?”

“Okay, Mama.”

She settled Liliana on the couch between her and Lorenzo, cleared her throat, and started one of the most difficult conversations of her life.