Mafia Casanova

“Eden, sit down.”

I did as I was told, trying to keep my shit together when all I wanted to do was scream at him. I was tired of everyone treating me like I was a porcelain doll that was going to break.

“What is going on? I have the right to know.”

“We’re protecting you.”

“From what exactly? Is my life in danger? Is Naz’s?”

“Not anymore.”

“What does that even mean? Can you please stop with the cryptic messages?”

“It doesn’t matter how upset this may get you. We don’t involve wives or children in our business. You were born into this life, Eden. You know how it works.”

I stared, jaw slack. My own father was not only lying to me but brushing me off!

“This is bullshit,” I yelled.

His eyes flashed. “Because you’re angry, I will let that slide, but I don’t need to remind you that I’m your father and won’t tolerate you speaking to me in that manner.”

“Oh my God!” I stood, needing to pace the room. Back and forth I went, reeling in my emotions. “Then I’ll pursue my own case.”

“Excuse me?” his tone was lethal, his expression murderous.

I turned to face him. “I said, I’ll pursue my own case. I’ll find who murdered Tristian. I already saw—”

“—you need to forget about what you saw.” He leaned back into his black leather chair, folding his hands together on top of his desk. “I understand you’re upset.”

“I am more than upset! He was my husband! His murderer deserves to rot in prison.”

He was quiet and then, in a low voice, expressed, “We took care of it.”

I jerked back again; it was like one hit after another. “Then you know who killed him?”

He didn’t say a word.

Not one word.

“Dad! Answer me. Do you know who killed him? My son is going to be raised without a father. I deserve an answer.”

“He has Romeo,” he said, so simply I wanted to scream.

My body flew back as if he slapped me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Eden, you’re my daughter. I know everything.”

He gave me a look that I was more than familiar with. Making me roll my eyes and take a deep breath. I looked down at the floor, not wanting him to see the expression on my face. I was scared it would give away how I was feeling.

“Is that why Romeo is in my house? You think he’s just supposed to step into Tristian’s shoes, and we’re supposed to be this happy family now?” How dare he, how fucking dare he!

“I don’t know, Eden. You tell me.”

My head was spinning, my heart was racing, my stomach was tumbling.

I couldn’t stop it.

I couldn’t stop this.

My mind and my heart wouldn’t let me as they collided into one terrifying thing. My heart continuing to beat rapidly, hammering in my head and making me feel dizzy.

Lightheaded.

Overwhelmed by everything that was suddenly happening. Everything he was suddenly saying. Feeling like I was being mentally torn in three directions.

His.

Mine.

Tristian’s.

My mind was in overdrive, putting up one hell of a fight with my heart.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I stated, still not meeting his eyes. Scared it would give me away.

“I never say what I don’t mean. Romeo is in your home to protect you and Naz.”

“From what?”

“Everything.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Your husband is gone; I don’t need to repeat to you what our life is. I will always protect you, and my grandson and the only man I trust to do the job is Romeo.”

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes.”

I was afraid of that. “What?”

“Eden, I’m done having this conversation. I told you what I needed to say, and you needed to know. There is nothing left for me to say to you. You can go.”

“I’m not finished.”

“I have business to attend to,” he informed in a calm voice that basically said, leave as polite as possible.

“Dad… please.” I peered deep into his eyes. “Please tell me what’s going on… I’m going crazy over here.”

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t move.

I could barely even stand.

My eyes pooled with tears, taking in the memories flooding my mind. Each one unfolding in front of me, playing out one by one as I made my way around the room. He wouldn’t answer.

Give me the truth.

Tell me anything I desired to know.

This was my life…

Men protecting me from the monster who lurked in the shadows. But what happens when the monster lurking is also the prince? The hero? The one you want to save you? How do you even begin to protect yourself from that?

“Please… first it’s Romeo with taking everything from Tristian’s office away from me, then I go to his penthouse to find files of Tristian on his computer. What is going on? Please…”

My request was cut short when my mom started calling for him from the speaker in his office.

He pressed the intercom button. “I’ll be right there.”