I paced the warehouse, my stilettos loud in the huge building. I gave Matteo a look. “Why aren’t you in there, helping Dad and Amo torture and kill the two bikers?”
“Two bikers aren’t enough for all of us, especially since you took care of the two Whites we really wanted to get our hands on.”
“You want Maddox dead.”
“All of us want him dead and he wants us dead.”
“Maddox killed his uncle for me, and Dad promised to spare Maddox’s life.”
Matteo chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s not the outcome I expected.”
It wasn’t the outcome he’d wanted was what he really meant. I didn’t expect their hatred to evaporate but I wanted there to be the chance for it to wane eventually. “Where did Growl take Maddox?”
“Don’t even think about going there now. Talk to your dad and your mom, and sleep over whatever you think you want right now. All right?”
I nodded. Matteo was right. I sank down beside him on a chair. A couple of guards crossed the warehouse and threw me curious glances. I nodded a greeting at them.
Two hours passed before Dad and Amo finally showed up. They had changed clothes but the darkness still clung to them, especially Dad looked worn out. He was impossibly strong but his guilt ate away at him. I could see it every second I was with him.
He glanced at Matteo. “What’s she still doing here?”
“I refused to leave,” I said before he could reprimand Matteo.
“You should forget all this, Marci. Live the life you used to have. I’ll make sure nothing ever happens to you again. I’ll triple your guards and kill every man who means a danger to you.”
I smiled sadly. “This world means danger. You can’t shield me from it.” I loved that he still thought he could.
He shook his head. “This was never meant to happen.”
He looked like he wished he could torture himself to death. Guilt wasn’t an emotion he was very familiar with. That probably made it harder to deal with. I walked over to him and hugged his middle tightly, my cheek pressed against his chest.
“I’m my father’s daughter, Dad,” I whispered thickly. “And if that means I’ll have to bleed for our family then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll do it gladly.”
“You paid for my sins,” he rasped, and I had to look up. His eyes were so full of darkness even Mom’s light wouldn’t be able to penetrate it.
“What is the sin but a manmade phantasm?”
“Too clever and beautiful for this world.”
“This world doesn’t scare me, Dad. I’m thankful for your protection, but ultimately freedom always comes with a certain risk, and I’d rather have the freedom to walk around and do things I like than being locked in a mansion. I don’t expect you to guarantee my safety, but I love you for trying.”
Dad touched my cheek. “I could send you to a university in England where you’d be safer.”
“Dad, no matter where I go, I’ll always be a Vitiello and I don’t want to be anyone else.” I paused, knowing what I’d say next would be even a harder pill to swallow for Dad.
“I want to be part of the business.”
Dad tensed, already beginning to shake his head. I’d expected this reaction and in the past, it would have made me retreat, but I’d gone through hell.
I pulled back from him. Hugging him like a small kid wouldn’t increase my chances.
“Don’t say you want to protect me from this side of our world, Dad. I deserve to reap the rewards of my suffering.”
Dad glanced at Amo, who’d been listening with a deep frown, still cleaning his hands with a towel. Amo met my gaze. Amo was alpha. He was born to be Capo. He carried natural authority. He’d be a good Capo one day. I’d never take that from him. I could see that both he and Dad thought I was asking to become the head of the Famiglia, the first woman to ever lead an Italian American family. But like Dad had said, I was clever and knew how our men ticked. They’d never accept me, no matter what I’d do. I’d have to rule with utmost brutality and still they’d never admire and love me like they did Dad and would one day Amo.
My family was more important than being number one.
“You are older,” Amo said quietly. “It’s your birthright.” I could see how much it cost him to give me this, and I couldn’t believe what he was offering, that he was really willing to step back from the position he’d been groomed for from birth.
I swallowed, overcome by unwelcome emotionality. I stalked toward him and hugged him, my face pressed against his chest, feeling his heart pound against my cheek.
“No one deserves it more than you,” he murmured.