Sin I Rise: Part One (Sins of the Fathers 1)

A few hours later, Marcella came in, followed by her brother, who looked at me as if he wanted to smash my face in. The feelings were mutual. She looked like the girl from before the kidnapping. High heels, tight leather pants, silky blouse, and a diamond earring over her missing earlobe that probably cost more than my Harley.

I wondered why she was here. Her expression was pure control, beautiful perfection that taunted and tantalized me as I sat in my own stink, waiting for the end.

Marcella turned to Amo. “I want to talk to Maddox alone.”

“I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Amo. Maddox killed his uncle and biker brothers for me. He won’t hurt me.”

Amo gave me a look that made it perfectly clear what would happen if I touched her.

“Can you get Maddox something to drink and eat?”

My last meal?

Amo gave a terse nod, then he left. Marcella closed the door after him before she turned fully to me.

I shoved to my feet, trying to hide the fact that I was dehydrated and starving. I didn’t want her to remember me as a weakling.

“Is this goodbye?” I asked.

“My father doesn’t trust you. He doesn’t think you are loyal.”

I moved closer, every step sent a twinge through my body. I was fairly sure I had several broken bones that needed treatment. “Didn’t I prove it when I betrayed the club for you?”

I would have given anything for this woman, for a taste of her lips, to hear a declaration of love from those red lips.

“I thought so, yes, but then you tried to kill my father. I saw the stab wound in his leg and the cut on his head where you missed.”

“Missed?” I echoed, then laughed. “I didn’t miss anything, Snow White. I chose not to kill him because I couldn’t do it to you, and that’s exactly what I told him. I suppose he didn’t mention that detail?”

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully but didn’t say anything, still not willing to stab her father in the back. “You gave up revenge for me?”

“I did.” But after my conversation with Luca today, I wished I’d gone through with it.

“What about the next time you get the chance to stab my father? How will you choose then?”

I wanted to kill him, no doubt, but going through with it? I chuckled. “I think you don’t understand. There’s always only one choice, and that’s you. Unless you want me to kill your old man, which probably will only happen in my dreams, I won’t try to kill him again. I’m not sure he can say the same.”

“So you want to kill him and he wants to kill you, but you both don’t go through with it for me.”

“More powerful than any queen I know.”

Marcella sighed and touched her elbows with newly manicured fingers. Fuck. I wanted her in my arms. It was physically painful to have her so close and not touch her. “What do you want, Maddox?”

“You.”

“But I come with baggage. I’m a Vitiello. I’ll always be a part of my family and I’ll even join the business. If you want me, you have to figure out a way to become part of them too.”

I laughed, couldn’t help it. “Look, I’m all for dreaming and setting high goals, but your old man won’t ever accept me as part of the business.” I paused, realizing what else she had said. “You want me as part of your family?”

“My family is part of me, so if you love me, you’ll have to try loving them as well.”

I shook my head, sagging against the wall. “I only recently gave up revenge for you. Going from hating your father’s guts to love is a far leap that might take several lifetimes. Even if I’m lithe like one, I’m not a cat.”

Marcella rolled her eyes and moved closer until she was right in front of me. I wasn’t sure how she could stand the stink, but I was glad for her closeness. “What my dad did to you as a child was horrible, and I understand your hatred. Forgiveness takes time. I’m just asking you to try to overcome your anger.”

I wasn’t sure that was an option, for either Luca or me. “What about you? How long will it take for you to forgive me?”

“I forgive you,” she said quietly.

“You do?”

“But I don’t trust you fully yet. I can’t, not after what happened.”

“If you don’t trust me, your father definitely won’t.” I smiled wryly. “Then this is goodbye after all.”

“No,” she said firmly. She peered up at me, fixing me with those blue eyes that haunted me. Eyes that made me want to believe in the impossible. “I didn’t tell him. That’s between you and me. I want you in my life. Now it’s up to you to decide whether you want that too.”