Page 48

FORTY-SEVEN

CASSIE

We don’t have long to wait either because emerging from the house with an extremely grim expression is the man who means the entire world to me and despite my misgivings I break away from Frankie and run like hell toward him.

I fall into his outstretched arms and sob like a baby as they close around me, holding me close, protecting me, always there for me.

I cry tears of relief mixed with guilt. I went against everything he ever taught me. I took things into my own hands and never asked for help.

He kisses the top of my head and says gruffly, “You tryin’ to give your old man a heart attack, princess?”

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

I snuggle into his chest and his sigh of relief doesn’t make me feel any better because I’ve caused him pain and I will never be okay with that.

He pulls away and stares deep into my eyes, and his expression terrifies the shit out of me.

He is so angry. His dark eyes flash with anger and his features are stretched across his face like a canvas over a trampoline.

“It appears that I need to remind you of something, Cassie.”

I hold my breath as his husky whisper is loaded with emotion.

“You are the beat of my heart, my reason for living, and if you hurt, I hurt one thousand times more. If anything happens to you, I die inside. You will destroy me because you are the best part of me. The part of me that is so proud I struggle to breathe when I look at you. The moment you were born, I learned what love is and if this has taught me anything at all, it’s that I still have a lot to teach you about surviving this sick and twisted world.

But it’s also taught me that you’re a woman now.

My little girl has grown up and makes her own choices, no matter how bad they turn out to be. ”

His eyes flicker to Frankie, who is standing a short distance away, staring at us with concern. Then he swings his gaze to Jack, who is bleeding remorse close by and he sighs heavily.

“You did what you thought was right for your friend. You attempted to solve shit on your own and I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson from that.”

I hang my head and whisper, “I’m sorry, daddy.”

He tilts my face to stare up at him and his eyes glitter as he whispers, “No matter how old you are, no matter how old I am, I will always be here for you. Run it by me first and what you can’t ask me, ask your mother.”

“I promise.” Tears blind me as his warning hits home. I disregarded the most powerful weapon in my arsenal and endangered all our lives. I made a stupid mistake and my regretful tears burn as I whisper, “I nearly got us all killed. I’m such a shit friend.”

He grips my face and forces me to look at him, and his voice is firm. “You did what you thought was for the best. This doesn’t mean I’m not insanely pissed at you, princess. I am so angry I am tasting venom.”

His eyes flick to Frankie and he growls, “I want a word with your guy now.”

Fuck. Part of me dies inside as I turn and wave Frankie across. The fact he shows no fear is either impressive or god-damned stupid, and when he arrives, my father glares at him.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you now.”

My shocked gasp is the only sound as Frankie nods.

“I wouldn’t blame you, sir. It was my plan, not Cassie’s. We thought we had it covered with Luca’s family as back up. I should never have involved the girls.”

My eyes flash, hearing me dismissed as a girl and yet I’m not stupid enough to interrupt right now. The hell, I’m being left out of anything and my father nods. “I’m glad you realize that. I also want you to realize this.”

He glares at Frankie with an expression that could melt iron and hisses, “If my daughter is sad, upset, or even doubtful about anything you do from now, or in the future, you won’t be so lucky and I don’t care who your family are.

You guard my princess with your life because if anything happens to her, yours will be worth shit. Do I make myself clear?”

“You do and I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sorry for involving her in a potential death trap or sorry you were unsuccessful in your mission?”

I cringe as Frankie faces him with an angry gleam in his eye and huffs. “Both sir.”

For some reason, his answer eases the building tension and my father shakes his head. “It’s an honest answer, and I respect that.” He sighs heavily. “Go back to Rockwell. And just so you know, we are not done talking about this yet.”

Frankie reaches for my hand. I swear that guy has balls of steel as my father’s eyes disappear into his hairline.

I clasp it firmly and smile at the man who is trying to keep his shit together and whisper, “I love you, daddy. I always will.”

He nods, a small trace of emotion showing on his chiseled expression and as we make to leave, he hisses, “Send Jack over. He has some explaining to do.”

As we head toward an anxious-looking Jack, I walk with a huge ball of guilt dragging behind me. I let them all down and I vow never to let that happen again.