Page 19 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

Like this morning as I imagined Isabella on her knees sucking me off, my fingers in her long, dark hair while she looked up at me with those defiant eyes.

But that’s not what this marriage is about.

Granted, I have no place to put her but in my bed, but I have no plans to fuck her.

And I’m damn sure she doesn’t want to fuck me.

I check my watch. It’s time for Angelica to get ready for school and me to go to work.

Right on time, Mrs. Rossi enters the kitchen. “Time to get dressed, Angelica.”

“Okay.” Angelica jumps down from her chair and takes her plate to the sink in the kitchen.

I rise, grabbing my suit jacket from the back of the chair, shrugging it on. “Are you going to give Daddy a kiss before you go?”

She runs over to me. I squat down as her arms come around me and she kisses my cheek. “Tell Isabella that you’re mine, Daddy, okay?”

I glance up at Mrs. Rossi, who gives a sympathetic smile.

“Nothing will change that, Angel. I will always love you with all my being, forever and ever.”

Angelica smiles and hugs me again, then runs off with Mrs. Rossi.

I head to my room, finding my gun where I keep it away from Angelica. I put on my holster and gun, slowly morphing into Marco’s enforcer.

I adjust my tie in the mirror. The man staring back at me looks confident, in control.

It's the same face I wear when collecting debts or handling problems for Marco. The enforcer who never hesitates.

But inside? That's a different story.

Will everything really be okay?

I sold Angelica a fairy tale version of this marriage. That Isabella needs our protection, our family.

The truth is messier, darker.

Isabella might be the threat we need protection from.

What has she already told the FBI? Names? Operations? Shipment schedules?

The thought makes my stomach tighten. If she's compromised certain aspects of our business, people could die.

People I care about.

And what about Angelica?

Kids aren't stupid. She'll figure out quickly that this isn't a love match. That her new stepmother looks at her father with suspicion, maybe even hatred.

In business, I always know what to do.

Someone crosses the family? I handle it.

Someone can't pay? I make arrangements.

Someone talks? I silence them.

But as a father in this situation, I'm stumbling in the dark.