Page 68 of Red Retaliation

My rising hope plummets as the word “choice” spits in my direction.Red made out I had a choice?Why would he do that? He knows how desperate I am for Papà not to hate me.

I beseech my beloved father with my eyes. All the years he’s known me, he must realize; must see that I only agreed to this marriage to guarantee my family’s safety? And so far, that safety has been honored. “But Papà, I...”

“You’ve turned your back on your family! You’ve humiliated me and all of us!” He flicks his hand in Red’s direction. “You chose this... this ‘association’ withindaysof your husband’s ‘death’... And what was stated in the article... You know this is not how our family works.”

“But...” I choke on my words. I cannot argue. If I argue, Papà will realize I killed Roberto. While he’s so wrong about what he thinks of me, I have to let it remain that he does not know the truth.

“You already strained my friendship with the Bristonis over your initial reluctance to marry Roberto, and now you have completely ruined it!”

“You don’t understand!” I blurt, flinching at his venom. “It’s...”

“Arianna...” Red warns, his attention now on me.

I want to slap Red. I want to punch him and scratch his eyes out. I want to scream that I had no choice in this marriage so Papà understands. This is my worst fear - that he’d turn his back on me. Had I never got the chance to explain, I expected his dismissal. Yet he’s here, and I can’t saya thing. “Papà...” I beg. Hemustunderstand. Hehasto.

“Myself and your new ‘husband’ have come to an arrangement,” my father interrupts, his eyes burning into mine. “We will leave each other alone for your sake. I hope he’s worth it.”

“What about mother? How is she? And Maria? My brother? Is Matteo back in the country? When can I see them?”

My father stands up and pulls his coat from the chair, his eyes scathing. “They are no longer your concern, so you have no reason to see them. As from now, Arianna, we’ll not see each other again either. You are no daughter of mine - you are a Bateman now, and I will not publicly acknowledge such an association.”

I can’t stop the choking sob spilling from my throat.

“Had you not disappeared off, you would know that despite your selfishness, your sister is due to marry shortly. I can only pray that your actions have not harmed her status and associations.” He snorts malevolently. “At least I won’t have the same problems with Maria that I have with you. She is obedient and appreciates her heritage.”

“Iappreciate my heritage!” My eyes fill with tears. “Papà, please! If...”

Ignoring me, Papà turns to Red and nods curtly. “Mr Bateman.”

I watch in frozen devastation as my Papà walks from the room and out of my life. Why couldn’t he see I did this forhim? Red has twisted everything for him to react this way.

As the door slams behind my Papà, anger overtakes my hurt. “How dare you!” I scream. “Howdareyou turn my Papà against me! What did you get out of it?”

Red stares at me long and hard. His silence makes me hate him further. I wish I’d done what I did to Roberto tohim. “At least fucking admit this is part of your sick control!”

He grabs my face. “I’ve told you before - donotuse that language. You belong tomenow, Arianna. Your father said so himself. Do not question what I do. Ever!”

I freeze; my rage paralyzed with shock.

Red drops his grip and grabs his jacket. “I’m leaving before I say things you won’t want to hear,” he says coolly. “I’ll return later, but in the meantime, I suggest you remember yourself and start behaving like I expect you to.”

CHAPTER

48

Red

“ITHOUGHT VIV was joking when she told me Galvatore was in reception.” Liam glares at me like I’ve told him he’s got thirty seconds to live. “Galvatore? Here? And you sat down and had a conversation with him? Without inviting us?”

I stare at my brothers. They’re furious, but I can hardly blame them. Emiliano Galvatore being in the Scorpio Lounge wasn’t what I wanted either. Or expected. Neither did I predict he’d blatantly admit his own daughter was merely a commodity to use as a means of upping his portfolio.

I had my suspicions this was how he worked, but to discuss the matter so glibly and assume I understood and agreed with his foul reasoning is the shocker.

Or more to the point, theinsult.

And after demanding a fucking cut in my business in exchange for the “use” of his daughter, then acting like I’m the shit on the bottom of his shoe was taking the fucking piss.

Much to my rage, he’s played his hand very well.