The Bastard's Betrayal (Scandalous Scions 1)

Sure enough, when she strode through the door, they had their heads together looking at something on Papa’s computer. Mama had on a casual gray wrap dress and Papa was clothed, as always, in one of his customary suits, though he’d lost his tie and had rolled up his sleeves. He idly stroked a hand through Mama’s hair, the casual intimacy making Rose’s chest ache.

She wanted that. More, she finally had a true chance at it, and she wouldn’t let anything stand in her way. This was the last barrier that stood between her and Dante being able to be together.

Rose shut the door and waited for them to look at her. “We need to talk.”

“We were just wrapping up.” Papa kissed Mama’s temple and sat back. “It’s good you’re here. Vladimir is in town. He wants a meeting tomorrow morning.”

Vladimir Romanov was Jovan’s second son. He was as close to Jovan himself as they’d get on this continent. Neither Jovan nor his heir would be traveling, which made sense. Why leave their seat of power? “He’s here to issue some fucked-up ultimatum.”

“Da.”

She had even less time than she thought. So be it. Rose straightened her spine and worked to keep her tone even and reasonable. “Papa, I listened to your concerns yesterday and while I respect them, they are no longer an issue. I’ve dealt with both Romeo and Kirill. I’m going to marry Dante Verducci.”

Papa went still. “Absolutely not.”

She’d expected it, but his instant refusal still stung. “Either give your blessing or excommunicate me.” She stared him down. “Those are your two options. Choose.”

Mama narrowed her eyes, but she put a hand on Papa’s arm. “Where’s this coming from?”

“I love him.” It wasn’t the first time she’d said it aloud, but the admission was still new enough to rock her. The three little words went through her like a bomb going off.

Her mother didn’t move. “You love him enough to choose him over your family?”

“I don’t want to make that choice. I won’t if I don’t have to.”

“Don’t act like anyone is backing you into this corner. You’re there by choice,” Papa snapped.

She took a deep breath. This was so much harder than the conversation with Romeo. Rose didn’t give a fuck what the Capparelli thought of her, but she loved her parents. She didn’t want to have to draw the line in the sand between them, but they were leaving her no choice. “Last night Papa laid out the reasons we couldn’t be together. I’ve negated those reasons. Kirill has entered into an alliance with the Verduccis, and in the process promised not to be a safe harbor for Jovan or his people. Romeo has also agreed to maintain the alliance even if I marry Dante.” No need to get into the Lev business now. That was between her and Romeo.

“He kidnapped you.” Her mother spoke slowly.

“It’s hardly the first time it’s happened in family history.” Rose shrugged. “He’s ruthless and he’s smart and he’s gone for me. More, he’s not from a local family, so there’s no potential shit about favoritism the way there would have been with the Capparellis. It’s a good play.”

Mama narrowed her eyes. “His actions put the family into a tailspin that we’re still struggling to correct. He drew Jovan’s eye.”

Rose crossed her arms over her chest. “So you’re going to pretend you didn’t find out Casimir booked his ticket the day before my wedding? Jovan was always going to come for us—for me. Dante has nothing to do with it.”

Papa finally unfroze enough to say. “Nyet, Roza. I will not allow it. He’s made our family look like fools.”

“Like you did with the O’Malleys?” she asked sweetly. “Don’t you think if you and Uncle Aiden can get past several years’ worth of schemes and backstabbing, you should be able to do the same with Dante?”

“It’s not the same.”

“It’s exactly the same.” She held his gaze. “You raised me to be just as cunning and ruthless as you are, Papa. You know the lengths you went to get Mama. Do you really think I’ll do any less for the man I want?”

“Why him?” Mama finally sat back. “You could have anyone. Why this man?”

“He’s mine. I won’t have another.”

“It’s not an easy path you’re choosing, daughter.”

She lifted her chin. “I know. But I can handle it. You’ve raised me to be able to handle it.”

Mama and Papa shared one of those loaded looks that contained an entire conversation in a glance. He sighed, the sound resigned. “No one is going to excommunicate you, Roza. We’ll…give our blessing.”

“Danke, Papa.” The tension left her in a rush that made her dizzy. Surely this was too easy? Except it wasn’t over, was it? This was only the first step in a long confrontation. Her and Dante were only part of a larger picture. The entire family was at risk from Jovan and his family. “Shall we go over what to expect tomorrow?”