In The Name Of Thy Father ~ A Borgia AU

Chapter Seven

Cesare sat slumped in a chair at the dining table. He didn't get much sleep last night. He was hoping it was all a bad dream. His father reaction was just as he thought it would be. His father's voice echoed in his ears as Rodrigo screamed at him about the money they lost and how could he trust a Sforza. The worst part was seeing the smugness on Juan's face. He wanted to pull out Rapier and shoot it off Juan's face. Yet, he knew he couldn't. Once he explained the truth to his father, Rodrigo began to rant against the Sforza family for hours. Last night was something he wanted to put behind him.

"Why are you so sad?"

Lifting his head, Cesare saw the beautiful face of his sister in front of him as she stood at the side of his chair. She was dressed in a pair of short jean shorts and a lacey tank top. Her golden hair was braided down her back. Giving her a half smile, he reached up and caressed her face. "It's just business, my love. Nothing for you to worry about."

"Chez, don't you know that when you worry, I worry." Lucrezia ran her fingers through his curls. "Besides, frowning gives you wrinkles." she teased him.

"Are you saying I've got wrinkles?" A single dark brow rose.

She giggled as she bit her lower lip. "Not yet, but you will if you keep frowning."

He growled playfully as he pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. Hearing her giggle louder made him smile. How was it that no matter what could go wrong, it was always Lucrezia that made him smile? He gave her a kiss on her temple. "Father is just angry at me for something I fucked up last night."

Now it was Lucrezia's turn to frown. "It was the casino deal, right? But surely it wasn't your fault. I mean the Sforzas were there right? If they are involved it had to be their fault. They are always at fault." She rolled her eyes.

Cesare had to laugh. "You are too smart for your own good. How many times has father told you to stop listening in on business?"

Lucrezia blushed as she hung her head. "Too many times to count."

"He's just protecting you." He brushed a strand of loose hair out of her eyes.

"Maybe I'm tired of being protected." His sister protested. "I'm not a porcelain doll to be put on a shelf." she pointed out.

"Lucrezia if anything were ever to happen to you, I'd be devastated. Father would be heartbroken." Cesare struggled with the words. Just the thought alone had him hugging her tighter against his chest. He couldn't imagine life without his sister in it. That was his greatest fear.

Her face softened as she caressed his cheek. "Nothing is going to happen to me. How could it with you protecting me?" She asked.

Immediately she was enveloped in Cesare's strong arms as he hugged her. "I'd kill to protect you." Those were words he didn't say lightly. Of all the men he had to kill in his lifetime, he'd do it willingly for her.

Lucrezia wrapped her arms around Cesare as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Knowing that you'd do anything for me means so much to me. I love you Cesare." She whispered.

"I love you, Lucrezia." Cesare closed his eyes as he held her. With the rest of their family always too busy it seemed that they only had each other. It always had been that way and always would be that way.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat and the two broke apart. When Cesare looked up Michelleto stood in the doorway. "Sir, your father is requesting your presence in his office. Caterina Sforza just arrived."

"Why in the hell is she here?" Cesare's brows furrowed.

"I have no idea, but it can't be good." Michelleto sighed.