Page 31 of One Savage Union (Crimson Bonds #1)

I smile. “Because I called him the moment I stepped out of my bedroom. The funny thing is, he couldn’t answer, but our capo, Enzo, did. It seems no one has seen him since his house was blown up two days ago.”

Lucia gasps. “The Don’s house was bombed?” Her eyes frantically search mine. “Who did that?”

“Yes, Rocco, who did that?” Her father echoes.

“I assumed it was Leo, but now I’m not so sure.”

He grunts. “Leo is a very convenient excuse for you, isn't he? What else have you blamed on him throughout the years? I’ve seen how close you are to that little bastard Aria, is she yours? Maybe you’re the one that knocked that slut Caterina up.”

I lunge at his throat, and our men prepare for battle. “You keep her name out of your filthy mouth, old man, or I swear to God I’ll kill you with my bare hands.” I snarl.

“No Rocco!” Lucia yells as she points the pistol at me.

Would she do it? Would she shoot me to save her bastard of a father?

“Both of you just STOP!” She screams, and I drop my fingers from Matteo’s neck. He coughs and catches his breath, cursing me the entire time. I turn back to Lucia, and the gun is shaking in her hand. This could go south quickly if I don’t get control of the situation.

“Give me the gun, la mia Lucia palla di fuoco. Just give me the gun, and this can all be cleared up.”

She shakes her head. “You don’t get to call me that anymore, LIAR!

” She drops the gun to the floor and begins to sob.

“This is all too much. I don't know how I became the center of a blood feud, but I’m done! I’m done with all the lies, violence, and schemes.

I just want to go back to my home in Chicago, grieve my mother, and play my fucking piano in peace. ”

Matteo shakes his head. “Impossible. The only place that’s safe for you right now is by your father’s side.

I tried to come to you as soon as I thought you were in danger.

Rocco kept me from you, but now I’m here.

Come home with me. I know I haven't been there for most of your life, but I did try to provide for you. The least I can do is provide you with a safe space to think. When all of this is over, and we find out who the true villain is, you can decide if you even want to be married to this liar anymore.”

When Lucia looks at me, I know that I'm losing. This is what she always wanted: to get to know her father. It doesn’t help that she also wants to get away from me.

But can I let her leave this boat? I could stop her if I wanted to, but I know that would only add fuel to Matteo’s fire.

He knows that I care about her, but he might think it's limited to the fact that she's mine. No real Romano man will let you take what’s his.

He doesn't know I love her. Shit, I didn’t even know that 24 hours ago.

If I go batshit crazy right now; he will know.

Then he'll use that to extort me for his end game. Whatever that may be.

“Do you want to go with your father?” I slowly grind out the words. Everything in my body warns me not to let her leave this boat. But what can I do?

Lucia takes a deep breath and wraps her arms around herself. “I need to be away from you. You lied to me, Rocco, something you promised me that you'd never do. I feel like I don't even know who you are anymore.”

I get to her in two steps and press my body against hers.

“I am your husband, and that remains true till the day you die. You can go with your father to get over your hard feelings and count all the ways that you think you hate me, but deep down, you know who you belong to.” I press a hard and quick kiss to her mouth.

“If you need me, you call me.” I pick up my mother’s gun and press it into her hands.

Matteo scoffs. “Why would she need you when she finally has me? Her flesh and blood. I can have your marriage annulled by the end of the week if she likes.”

I laugh.” Good luck with that older man.

I don't know under what grounds you would accomplish that since I have thoroughly fucked your daughter in every way imaginable and she could very well be carrying my seed now. So, if you think you’re going to keep her from me, you’re wrong.

I’m only letting her go because she needs this.

But don’t think for a second you’re taking her away from me.

Lucia throws up her hands and sighs. “Don’t I have a say in who I belong to? No one owns me!”

I lick the side of her face and squeeze the back of her neck. The whimper she releases makes my cock throb.

“That’s where you're wrong, piccolo ragazza. I thought you knew; you are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. We are one.”

Matteo walks behind Lucia. “If you don't let her leave and make the decision on her own, there will be consequences, Parisi. The stunt you pulled is already gone too far. My mercy won’t extend much further. The only reason you aren’t dead is for your uncle’s sake.

I land one last soft kiss on Lucia's. Then I confront Matteo.

His men crowd around him, but I don't give a fuck.

“Ricci, I don't know what you're up to, but if one hair on her head is damaged, I’ll personally break every bone in your body. You will die so slowly and painfully that only your dogs will hear your last screams of mercy.”

He only stares for a moment before turning on his heel to walk away. Then he pauses for a moment to call for my wife over his shoulder. She glances at me with an expression I can’t name before following behind him.

She’ll be back…