In The Name Of Thy Father ~ A Borgia AU

Chapter Eight

Cesare held Lucrezia on his lap as she trembled in his arms. He nuzzled against her as she rested her head upon his chest. She held an ice pack to her face to take away the redness that the intruder left when he slapped her. Closing his eyes, Cesare grit his teeth as he thought about having his hands on the dead man's face, pounding it to dust. Unfortunately, the man was dead and he couldn't kill him again. Just the thought of anyone putting their filthy hands upon Lucrezia had him seeing red. Especially to hurt her as they had. He knew he had to cool down or his anger would spill over again.

"Chez?"

Looking down, Cesare opened his eyes to see a frightened Lucrezia looking up at him. He took the ice pack from her and put it on the table next to them. "I'm here my love." he whispered. Bending his head, he softly brushed his lips against her sore cheek. He desperately wished he could take the last two hours back. Lucrezia was innocent in all of this. She didn't deserve any of this. It was Sforza that deserved to die. "No one is going to ever hurt you again. Ever." He hugged her tighter to his chest.

Lucrezia took one of his hands and lifted it. Her eyes gazed upon the red swollen knuckles and the dried blood still staining his skin. "Does it hurt?" she whispered.

He shook his head. "No, not really. I barely felt it as I was hitting him. All I could think of was what he did to you. All I knew was I had to stop him." Cesare found himself speaking softly.

Staring up into Cesare's eyes, Lucrezia brushed her lips against her brother's bruised and swollen knuckles. "Thank you, Cesare. You're the only one who makes me feel safe. I don't know what I'd do without you." Fresh tears filled her eyes as one of them escaped and fell upon her cheek.

Cesare felt his heart break right there and then. Knowing that his sister was scared made him feel horrible. "You never have to thank me, my love. I will always keep you safe. Always. You'll never be without me." He pulled her up as he buried his face in her neck, hugging her. "I love you. Never forget that."

"I love you." Lucrezia's voice cracked.

Just then there was a small knock on her bedroom door. Cesare pulled away a bit as he looked towards the door. "Come in."

Micheletto came in and bowed his head in respect. "I'm sorry to bother you Sir and Miss Borgia. Your father would like to see you Sir. He's in his office."

Sighing, Cesare nodded. "I'll be down in a minute." He watched Micheletto walk out of the room. Turning back to his sister, he gave her a soft smile. "Why don't you go to my room and try to get some rest? I'll be in after I see father?" He caressed her cheek. "I don't want you in here until they clean it up."

Suddenly Lucrezia looked frightened. "But what if someone comes?" Her lower lip trembled. The thought of being alone after all that happened had her nervous. She knew her attacker was dead, yet that didn't help.

"Lucrezia, look at me." Cesare cupped her face. "The guards are doubled around the house. Once Micheletto is done downstairs, I'll send him up to guard you outside the door until I come up. You're safe." he promised her. When she nodded, he hugged her again. "Thank you." He kissed her forehead.

* * *

Once he knew that Lucrezia was safe in his room, Cesare walked into his father's office. Sitting in the room was his father, Juan and Micheletto. Walking right over to the bar, Cesare poured himself a drink of tequila and downed the shot. He wiped his mouth as he turned around and looked at his father. "Has the body been taken care of?"

"Yes. As the head of the family, I should be lecturing you about killing inside the house." Rodrigo stared at him. Then he sighed and leaned back in his chair. "However as your father and as Lucrezia's father, I'm glad you killed the bastard."