In The Name Of Thy Father ~ A Borgia AU

Chapter Three

The family dinners at the Borgia estate were something to behold and tonight was no exception. The wine flowed freely and there was enough food to feed an army. Yet to Rodrigo it was definitely a celebration. His beloved daughter was back home in the family's arms where she should be. As he looked around a small yet happy smile overtook his face. Having all his children at the table filled him with happiness he hadn't felt in a long time. "Are you glad to be home, Lucrezia?"

His daughter looked over from the conversation she was having with her mother. She was looking much happier since her arrival. Letting out a small laugh, she nodded her head. "Yes, papa. I'm very glad." She put her fork down and wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Being home is where I should have been all along. Home is where the heart is." Looking up she found herself glancing over at her brother, Cesare. They shared a glance over the table and she giggled.

"I'm glad you think that way because I want you to stay with us permanently." Rodrigo took his wine glass and took a drink.

In the middle of picking up her fork, Lucrezia stared at her father. "Permanently?" She repeated in small voice. "But I just graduated from the University of New York with my bachelor's in social work. I had planned on exploring opportunities with that."

Rodrigo sighed as he motioned for more wine. "Lucrezia, your heart is in the right place. After all you take after your mother." He smiled at Vannozza across the table. Then he looked back over to Lucrezia. "However, I will not see you hurt again."

Her face softened as she reached over and placed her hand upon her father's. "Papa, I'm a big girl. It's very sweet that you want to encase my heart and body in glass. However, I'm going to get hurt sometime. That's life."

Cesare was fiddling with his food as he looked over at his sister. Over my dead body, he thought to himself. No one would hurt his sister as long as he lived. He would do everything to protect her. Even with ways that his family didn't know about.

Rodrigo sighed as he reached out to stroke her cheek. "You've really grown up, haven't you?"

A soft giggle escaped her lips. "It does happen."

"Well I'm not ready for it. As I'm sure neither are your brothers. Are you boys?" Rodrigo looked over at his sons.

Juan was too busy drinking his wine too answer. He had been focused on flirting with their maid all night and seeing how many ounces of wine he could down. Meanwhile Cesare looked over at Lucrezia and he had a look of fierce protection. "I'm certainly not." He protested.

"Neither am I!" Gioffre looked up from his dinner and gave a boyish smile.

"Well get used to it." Lucrezia shot back playfully. "I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."

"Of course, you can sweetheart." Her father patted her hand. "Now Juan, have you heard from the Picoline family? I want that-"

Vannozza gave her common law husband a hard stare across the table. "Rodrigo! There will be no business discussed at my table. If you men want to discuss business, then go into your office. Right now our daughter is home and we're having dinner." Her voice was firm. Rodrigo may be the head of the Borgia Crime family, but it was Vannozza who was the real power behind the family.

Properly chastised, Rodrigo let out a chuckle. "Forgive me my love. Of course. Tonight is all about our daughter." He lifted his wine glass in honor of her. "To our daughter!" He toasted.

Cesare looked across the table and met his sister's eyes. He had to agree with his father. He wanted to keep Lucrezia close where she could be safe. What they did for a living was dangerous and it was often he worried about her and their mother. He would give his life for them. His lips turned into a full smile as he lifted his glass. "To Lucrezia!" He spoke softly.

* * *

Lucrezia winced as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky. It wasn't soon after that the heavens shook with all the force of an explosion as the thunder came after. She hated storms. She always had ever since she was a child. Another flash of lightning lit up her bedroom and she clutched at her comforter. In all honesty, she knew there was really nothing to be afraid of. Yet her heart was beating rapidly as she bit down on her lower lip. Just then there was a loud crashing in the sky that had her crying out as she dove under her covers.

"Lucrezia?"

Peeking out of the covers, she saw a dark shadow enter her room. There was no reason to be afraid because she knew that shadow as well as her own. Coming out of her covers, she brushed her hair out of her face. "Cesare?"

Her brother made his way to her bed and he crawled in beside her. "I came as soon as I could." Cesare gathered her in his arms and pulled her against his chest. "I know you hate the storms." He brushed his lips against her forehead. "I'm here, sweetheart." He couldn't remember a time when Lucrezia wasn't afraid of storms. Even as a child she would either crawl into his bed or he would come to her. He would hold her until the storm passed. Many times Vannozza would find them in the morning asleep, curled up against each other. However, they were no longer children. Yet there would never come a day where he'd stop protecting her, even from the storms.

"I hate these things." Lucrezia grunted as she curled up on her brother's chest. That's when she discovered that he was bare chested. Swallowing hard, she licked her lips. She wasn't the only one who grew up. Her brother had become a man before her very eyes. Her fingertips brushed over his lean muscles. "Talk to me." she commanded.

Cesare's soft laughter echoed in the large room. "Talk to you about what?" His fingers thread through her golden hair. Her hair was like liquid sunshine. He was trying to distract himself from the feeling of her fingers on his chest. For some reason he was enjoying it more than he should.

"Anything!" She playfully swatted his chest. "What about your dating life?"

"What life?" he snorted. "I'm too busy working to have a life much less a dating life."

Lucrezia lifted her head and looked at Cesare. Even in the darkness she could see his eyes. "Cesare, you have to have a life of your own. You can't let this family control you. You have to let someone love you."

Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. "Trust me, I have a life of my own. As for letting someone love me, I do. I have you." He teased as he pulled her back down on his chest.

She rolled her eyes and pushed at his chest. "You're impossible!"

Laughing, he nudged back at her. "You're saying you don't love me? Here I thought we were close?"

"You're such a pain in the ass. Why do I even bother?" Lucrezia groaned.

"Because you love me. Admit it." Cesare cupped her chin in his hand.

Gazing into his eyes, Lucrezia could feel her heart beating. Just then a flash of lightning lit up the room. She could see the way Cesare looked at her and her heart began to beat faster. "I love you Cesare. More than anyone in this world." Her voice was soft. It was then that the thunder came, causing her to bury her head in his chest.

Cesare chuckled as he held her tight. "My brave sister, ready to stand up to her father and yet...scared of a thunderstorm."

"Shut up!" Came her muffled reply.

"I'm sorry Lucrezia. You know I'm only teasing you." He kissed the top of her head.

She looked up with wide eyes; her palm sliding up over his chest. "Will you stay the night?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Cesare felt his heart lurch in his chest at her request. How could he ever deny her? His thumb brushed softly along her chin, just barely underneath her lower lip. "You know I will. I'll never leave you alone when you need me." He let his lips brush softly against her forehead.

Snuggling up close to Cesare, she nuzzled her cheek against his chest. "I feel safe with you. I know nothing will ever hurt me." A yawn escaped as her eyes drifted closed.

Once again kissing the top of her head, Cesare rubbed her back softly. "You are safe, my love. No one will ever hurt you as long as I'm with you. Sleep now." he whispered. As she fell asleep in his arms, he had to smile.