Page 103 of Ruthless Lord

“Ready to talk?”

He shrugs casually. “Maybe if you ask your husband to put the gun away.”

“I like my gun,” Stefano grumbles.

“It’s okay. Do what he asks.” I wait until Stefano stashes the pistol back into his waistband. “Now, if he’s not helpful, start breaking his fingers.”

“What the fuck?” Dad stares at me with pure outrage. “You’re joking?”

“She’s not joking.” Stefano looks pleased. “And don’t curse around my wife.”

“This is fucking madness. Charlie?—”

Stefano punches him once in the face. It’s not even a hard blow, but I doubt Dad’s been hit very many times in his life. He stares in outrage, jaw turning pink, as real fear finally slips into his expression.

“You hit me!” he says, outraged.

“Sure did.”

“That hurt!”

“Should’ve.”

“You fu—” Dad stops himself, cringing back. “Okay, okay, I’ll watch my mouth.”

“Damn fucking right you will.” Stefano gestures at me politely. “You have the floor again, darling.”

“Thank you, dear.” I walk to the foot of the bed where Dad can see me without having to turn his head. “Here’s the deal I’m offering, and it’s better than anything else you might get. Are you paying attention?”

He tugs at his wrist chains. “Not much choice here.”

“Good. Say one thing for Emily, at least she isn’t stupid enough to fuck a snake without chaining him up first.”

“The handcuffs were his idea,” she mutters, arms crossed and pouting.

I rub the bridge of my nose. “God, you’re disgusting. Okay, I don’t care, just listen to me.” I meet my father’s gaze again. “I want you to catch Grandfather admitting that he’s been moving against the Marino Famiglia this whole time. I want all his plans on tape.”

Dad scoffs. “That won’t happen. You know Papa doesn’t put anything in writing, and he won’t speak of anything important over the phone. He’s paranoid.”

“That’s why you’ll have to try twice as hard.”

“Why? So you’ll spare my life?” He sneers, shaking his head. “You wouldn’t kill me anyway.”

My eyebrows raise. “I wouldn’t?” I step closer to him, barely keeping myself restrained. “You’ve done nothing but hurt me for a long time. You bullied me into marrying Stefano, although I should thank you for that. You’ve blackmailed me, insulted me, undermined me, and embarrassed me at every turn. You haven’t been a father to me for a very long time.”

“You’re just not a killer.” His chin tilts up. “Besides, I’m too important. If I went missing, the police would come sniffing around you and your husband.”

“Sorry, I think you’re misunderstanding here.” I hold up a hand. “I’m not the one who’s going to do the killing.” I point at Stefano. “He’lldo the killing, and from what I hear, he’s very good at getting away with it.”

“The rumors are true,” Stefano adds helpfully.

“You’re playing a different game now, Dad. This isn’t family power politics anymore. This is life or death. And it’s your life hanging in the balance.” I wave a hand at Emily as if she’s an afterthought. “Your mistress’s life too.”

“Hey! I didn’t do anything!” Emily shrinks back when I stare at her. “I mean, nothing worthmurderingme for.”

Dad seethes. He looks furious. I doubt he’s ever been in a position like this. Well, no, he’s definitely been likethisbefore, chained up to his bed, which is an extremely gross and disorienting thought, but not actually weak and vulnerable. Even chained, he’s still always been the one in charge. That’s probably why he fucks girls like Emily. Weak, vain, vampiric assholes he can use and toss aside at a whim.

Now though, he’s playing with fire.