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He laughed and pressed his forehead against mine. “I won’t if for no other reason than needing to keep you in line.” He shoved his hands into the back pockets of my jeans, pulling me even closer to his body. The warmth was incredible, so much so I was ready to beg him not to go. But it was something he had to do, something that would change whatever life he’d had.

After brushing his lips across mine, he pulled away.

I folded my arms and watched him walk out of the room. A crushing feeling furrowed inside of me.

Changes would occur. Alliances would be challenged. Men would die. Monsters would be formed. Sides chosen. And families threatened.

I moved toward the hallway, hovering against the wall as he headed toward the front entrance.

As soon as I heard the door close, I jerked my phone from the pocket of my jeans. Call it a woman’s instinct, but I’d sensed something was off. Shadows were lurking in the bright sunlight. I knew in my bones that loyalties would be challenged.

Including within myself.

I dialed the number, honestly anticipating a voicemail.

“Carmella.” My father’s voice held no hint of strain.

“Good to catch you, Father.” He knew when I was irritated, I called him Father instead of Dad or Daddy. On this beautiful morning, I remained agitated with the world.

“Is something wrong? Is my grandson alright?”

“Gabriel is fine. I’m not calling about my son.”

“I heard he has a new friend to play with.”

Was there amusement in his voice? While I was caught off guard he’d heard about Jessica, I should have guessed. There was no such thing as long-term secrets in my father’s world. “He does and I intend to keep it that way.”

“What does that mean?” My father laughed as if there was nothing at stake within our family’s regime.

“That means that nothing will happen to either one of them. At least as long as I’m alive.”

“Did something happen, Carmella? You don’t sound like yourself.”

“Yes, something happened. That something occurred when two men who thought themselves gods put two unsuspecting people together in a tainted marriage. The two of you truly believed you could own the world if not the universe if you simply manipulated the events. As you’ve seen, the best laid plans are often misguided and thwarted by unforeseen dangers.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“I’m making perfectly good sense, Daddy dearest, and you know it. You wanted this unholy marriage. Did you hope that it would backfire, which would provide you with a perfect excuse to initiate a war for your own financial gain? Well, here’s a news bulletin for you. Your scheme backfired.”

I could almost hear my father gritting his teeth.

“Yep. That’s right. You see, I love Alejandro and oh, another shock. He loves me. All the posturing you did was pushing me to hate him and I admit your plan almost worked. But at the end of the day, there is such a thing as true love. You also didn’t anticipate Don Santorelli believing in Alejandro enough to fork over his entire empire should anything happen to him. It would seem the other great Italian Don was much wiser than my own father.”

“How dare you talk to me that way!”

I hoped he was huffing and puffing at the mouth. “How dare I? I dared when you signed my life away. Now, I honored your twisted wishes and plan on continuing, but I have some demands.”

“You’re trying to bargain with me, your father?”

“I’m not trying to bargain. I’m telling you what’s going to happen. You will accept Alejandro as the new Don of the Santorelli Empire. You will adhere to your alliance and you will leave me and my family the fuck alone.”

There was tension as well as silence between us.

“What happened to you, Carmella? You used to be an obedient daughter.”

I laughed. “What happened was simple. I grew up and discovered the truth, but not just about you, Dad, but about me as well. I’m much stronger than anyone believed. Including myself. I assure you that if you don’t heed my words, you will face Alejandro’s wrath. Even worse, you’ll face mine. I have a family now, Daddy. Just like you wanted. Respect me for a change and allow me to enjoy my life.”

I expected him to blow up, issuing a barrage of hateful comments about being an ungrateful daughter, but he was quiet once again.