Page 40 of Ashes

The only reason she seems to have calmed down and isn’t actively trying to kill me is because she knows she needs me to get into Gianni’s club.

No women on their own are allowed in there, and someone else wouldn’t be so nice to her as I am.

It doesn’t take me long to get to my father.

As soon as he lifts his gaze to me, I can see he’s displeased. The only sign of that are the lines around his eyes. They’re more prominent and tighter.

“Why the fuck did you attack Nick Monti?” he asks.

“I don’t know who that is.” And I don’t.

Never heard of the guy.

“You attacked him in the parking lot of Gianni’s club. Does that ring any bells?”

“Ah, yes. It does.”

“And? What’s your explanation?”

“It’s personal.”

“Personal?” He rises to his feet and strides toward me.

I give him an impassive look. “Yes.”

“Do you know what attacking a member of the Monti family can mean for us? Do you want to ruin everything that I do and work hard for?”

“As far as I’m aware, nothing will happen. Unless you know something that I don’t, in which case, you should have told me.” I regard him carefully.

His eyes narrow. “Why didn’t you ask for my permission first?”

“I didn’t see a reason to do that. The guy insulted me, and I made him pay. Do you really expect me to tell him to wait so I can call my father to ask if I can punch him? Don’t be ridiculous, Father.”

“You’re not the boss. I am.”

Tell me something I don’t already know.

“I’m not Rodrigo,” I say.

“No, you’re not. And you still have a lot to learn. Do you know I hated my father? He was a tough son of a bitch. But I always listened to him because he knew what was best for our family. I wasn’t trying to cause him trouble.”

He strides past me to the door.

I close my eyes for a moment.

“You do not attack anyone without my permission, do you understand?” he says.

I turn around.

I don’t say anything because I know what he’s about to do.

He motions to the guards who are outside in the hallway.

“You will learn,” my father says.

Six of his guards start toward me.

I already know I can’t take all of them down.