Page 81 of Severed By Vengeance

As much as I wanted to admit how much I loathed carrying half of that asshole’s DNA, it wouldn’t be wise to reveal my hatred.

“How about we bypass the bullshit. I am who I say I am.” I cocked a grin. “But I have pictures of my mother, if you need proof. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about her from your good friend, James.”

Franco surveyed his surroundings before leaning in closer. “I don’t care who you are. I knowwhatyou are, and that’s more than enough. I won’t say it again; stay away from my daughter.”

“Franco Cruz, are you threatening me?” His lips pressed into a straight line, and he took a step back, his bravado wavering. “Listen, this is what’s going to happen. You’re going to convince Evangelina to stay with me—”

“The hell I am!”

“Your daughter has a bounty on her head, courtesy of Philly’s most notorious crime family. Who do you think is going to keep her safe? Some shit officer sitting in a car outside her house? You?”

He raked both hands through his scalp and paced. “Why do you care so much? You’re just like them. Why would I trust you, of all people, with my daughter’s life?”

“Because I would never hurt her.”

Franco’s jaw twitched as he shook his head from side to side. “The moment I knew it was you, I did my research. I asked my questions, and your reputation doesn’t exactly evoke trust or confidence. You’re the worst of the worst. No different than those bodies in there. If you think that’s the kind of man I want in my daughter’s life, you’re dead wrong.” He turned his back, moving toward the lot. “Stay away from her. I’m her father, and I will protect her.”

“Like you did when you got her a personal bodyguard.” He froze. “Adrian Walker ring any bells, Franco?”

“Fuck you, Cain,” he spat, still facing away from me, shoulders trembling.

I chuckled darkly. “Don’t worry. I took care of that problem too. I think I still have that bastard’s blood underneath my nails.”

Franco bowed his head. “May God forgive you.”

“I’m not looking for forgiveness.”

“You’re a sick son of a bitch.”

“Maybe.” I gritted my teeth, patience running thin. “But this sick son of bitch is the only one willing to do whatever it takes to keep Eva safe. And let’s not be hypocritical. You know what Leni is.”

He whirled around. “I can’t protect my daughter from one enemy just to send her into the arms of an even bigger devil.”

“But you will.”

His cheeks flushed red, and he pointed an accusatory finger in my direction. “If you touch her…”

“I already told you I won’t hurt her.”

“No. You know exactly what I mean. You think I missed the way you look at her? The way she clings to you. And don’t give me the bullshit that you feel anything for her. She’s beautiful, smart, rich—You won’t make a whore out of my daughter.”

There were many things I could say to get under his skin, but out of respect for Eva, I ignored his statement and leaned back against the brick building, shoving both hands into my pockets. “You have Ares at your disposal. Use it.”

“If keeping her safe means using Ares, then she can stay with Leni.”

Fuck this.

His permission and approval meant nothing. I’d be damned if I left Eva’s safety in anyone else’s hands but mine. Not even Leni’s.

“Where are you going?” he asked as I moved past him and across the street.

“To get what belongs to me.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

DEREK

“Sit.”