Page 21 of Ravage God

It wasn’t the first time I thought Dad might have hated Valentino more than he hated me.

My fist clenched around the fork I held in my hand.

Dario, like Dad, had one son and one daughter; only, his son was younger than his daughter and was nowhere near ready to take over for his dad. However, from some of the conversations I overheard between Valentino and Elio, it seemed that Massimo was planning to train most of the younger men, preparing them to take over for their fathers soon, and Davide, Dario’s son, was no exception.

Massimo was slowly pushing the older generation out.

I closed my eyes briefly. The politics of it all was giving me a headache.

When would this lunch be over?

I plasteredon a fake smile as I stayed by the door and bid ourguestsfarewell. Chiara grabbed my hand before she left, and I tensed, resisting the urge to pull away, especially since both our fathers were watching.

“This was fun. You should go shopping with Giada, Alessia, and me this week.”

I would much rather poke my eyes out.

“Sounds great,” I said, knowing that was the only acceptable answer for Dad. Her smile widened, even as something sparked in her eyes that I didn’t like very much. “Great! I’ll text you the details later.”

I let out a small sigh when she finally released me and turned away.

The house was nearly quiet as soon as the door closed behind them, and it was just Dad and me remaining in the foyer. Distantly, I could hear Maura cleaning up outside in the backyard.

I turned and peered up at Dad, but I couldn’t meet his eyes for long.

“I’ll be up in my room,” I said softly, so as not to trigger him.

He didn’t say anything for a beat. His eyes took in my face, and I resisted the urge to shift on my feet, showing just how uncomfortable I was. How uncomfortable he made me.

I made a move to walk around him when he spoke, making me freeze on the spot.

“You must feel protected now because Valentino decided you wouldn’t have to marry anyone you don’t want.”

I took in a deep breath, trying not to react to his words.

He turned toward me, making my heart feel like it was about to plummet straight down to my stomach. “You didn’t think I knew about the deal you two made?”

I shook my head and opened my mouth, but no words came out.

He inched closer to me. I knew better than to move away. He would see that as some sort of challenge, and that would only make things worse for me.

“How long do you think he can hold this off? Until you turn thirty?”

He scoffed, as if the idea of an unmarried woman in her thirties was so ridiculous. “Massimo might have sided with Valentino when it comes to matters of the famiglia, but this is a family matter. I will be requesting a meeting with him soon, and then both you and Valentino will submit when it comes to your marriage.”

He turned to walk away, and I spoke before I could think better of it. “You can’t do that.”

I shrank back when he glared at me, wishing I could take the words back.

He moved without warning and wrapped his hand around my neck, slamming me up against the wall. Pain instantly shot up my back and throat. I didn’t know which to focus on until I felt him tightening his grip, and I was suddenly afraid he would kill me right then and there. I struggled against him, feeling like there wasn’t enough air getting into my lungs. My vision tunneled, and I tapped at his hand, trying to get him to let go. He leaned down until his face was a mere inch from mine. I kept my eyes on him, trying to keep them open. The fear that I might pass out, orworse, should I close them, was very real.

“You don’t think I can do that? You’ve gotten too comfortable with Valentino playing your protector, girl. But you need toremember that I am your father, and in this household, I am in charge. Got me?”

I forced myself to nod. He kept his hold on me for three more long seconds before letting go of me. My legs gave out, and I fell to the floor in front of him, tears streaming down my cheeks as I tried to gulp in as much air as possible.

Dad stayed there and watched me for a moment as I struggled to get my bearings straight before he walked away, leaving me sitting there alone.

The tears continued to fall down my face, and there was nothing I could do to stop them.