“Hey, no tears. Not on New Year’s Eve.”
“I feel like meeting you was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me.” She pulls me into a hug, a very non-sexual hug. This is more a hug of gratitude.
“I’d do anything for you, Lilly. You’re a good person.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” We clink our glasses of champagne together.
Three…
Two…
One…
We’re cuddled together after popping a bottle of champagne and waiting for the fireworks to commence. A kaleidoscope of color and smoke fills the night sky around the castle.
“Happy New Year, Lilly.”
“Happy New Year, Luke.”
We celebrate midnight with a passionate kiss, then our attention is pulled back to the fireworks display in front of us. Lilly oohs and aahs as each rocket fills the black sky with reds, greens, gold, so many colors it’s spectacular.
I am so happy I’m sharing this night with her.
There’s banging on the door. Who the hell is banging on our door at this time of the morning? I look over at the bedside table—it’s 10:37 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The apartment better be on fire, otherwise, heads will roll.
“Who is it?” Lilly asks croakily from beside me.
“I have no idea.”
“They seem very insistent.” I pull on my track pants, and Lilly does the same. I stride through the apartment, annoyed that some inconsiderate person is waking us up so early.
I pull open the door in my irritated state. “What!” I shout.
My eyes focus on the people standing in front of me—my sister and my ex plus a legion of bodyguards.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I scream at them in Italian.
“Happy New Year to you, too, brother,” Allegra says stiffly. Her eyes glance over my shoulder at the movement behind me. “Didn’t take you long to find some whore to keep you entertained.”
I take a step toward her. Never in my life have I ever wanted to hurt my sister like I do right now. How dare she call Lilly a whore.
Allegra pushes her way into the apartment with her entourage in two. “I see your standards have dropped.”
“I see your manners have disappeared also,” Lilly replies back in perfect Italian.
Which gives them all pause.
Allegra looks over Lilly, and I can see the sneer that’s curling on her lip. “Who are you?” she demands, folding her arms across her chest.
Lilly looks behind her and sees Rachele, my ex, and their bodyguards.
“Does it really matter who I am?” Lilly replies, who looks like she’s about to blow a fuse.
Walking over to where Lilly is currently standing, I place my hand in hers.
Lilly’s shaking, but she’s holding it together well.
“No, it doesn’t. You’re just one of many of Luca’s conquests. Don’t get too comfortable,” Allegra snips at her again.
“Luca?” Lilly whispers.
I squeeze her hand, and her attention is drawn back to the two women in front of her.
“I think you’ve proved your point, Luca. Now come home, so we can get married,” Rachele adds, her eyes glaring furiously at Lilly.
“Married?” Lilly drops my hand like it’s on fire.
“Oh, did my brother forget to tell you that. He was supposed to get married just before Christmas. He left my poor friend here at the altar.” The smile on Allegra’s face says she knows she’s found Lilly’s weakness.
“He’s my fiancé, whore,” Rachele adds.
The harsh words hit Lilly, and she takes a step back, blinking fast trying to keep tears at bay.
No. I knew my family would eventually come and mess everything up.
“The only whore I see is standing in front of me. You fucked my best man at our rehearsal dinner,” I yell at Rachele who has the sense to blanch.
“Please, as if you weren’t sleeping with other women.” Allegra rolls her eyes.
“I was not,” I shout, thumping my chest. “I thought…” I let the words trail off until Allegra and Rachele burst out laughing.
“Oh, dear brother, you seriously thought you would be getting married for love.” How hard is that to believe in? “You know who we are. We have to marry for connections, not love.”
“I thought we had an understanding,” Rachele adds. “I had no idea…” She tries to contain her laughter.
“Who are you?” Lilly turns to me, a frown marring her beautiful face.
“You haven’t told her?” Allegra jabs. “Oh, that’s cute. What? You wanted to slum it like a commoner?”
“What’s she saying, Luke?” I can see the distress written on her face, and I don’t like it one little bit.
“Oh my God, you’re even using a commoner’s name. Luke… how bouji.” Her cackles fill the apartment.
“Luke, Luca, whoever you are.”
“I’m still me, Lilly.” Reaching out to her, I attempt to keep our connection.
“He is Principe Luca Fiorenzo.”
“You’re a prince?” Lilly looks at me in shock.
“Yes, but…”
Lilly pulls her arm away from my reach. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you lie? You told me you were a businessman.” The hurt on Lilly’s face is palpable.
“That’s all true. I’m a businessman, but I am also a prince.”
“A prince who needs a princess. One that he has been betrothed to since birth,” Allegra adds.
“I don’t want Rachele,” I spit.
“You would rather that?” Rachele gives a dissatisfied glance at Lilly.
“You know nothing about me. I’m a doctor, and certainly not a damn whore. I’ve just arrived back from saving lives in Africa. I grew up surrounded by royals and London’s elite. My parents are doctors to most of them as well,” Lilly points out. “What do you do with your time? Spend it shopping? Going to parties? Cheating on your fiancé? Now, look in the mirror and see who’s lacking.”
“You bitch,” Rachele spits, launching herself at Lilly, who I quickly push behind me.
The bodyguards pull her off me, but not without scratching my face first.
“How dare you,” she screams like a wild cat.
Lilly just smiles at them both, knowing she has secretly won because that’s exactly what they do all day, shop and attend parties.
Allegra turns and glares at me. “Fine. If you
