Mafia Daddy (Vegas Underground 4)

So just letting the cards lie seems like the best option, if I truly care for her.

Why then, do I still feel like someone’s screwing a giant bolt right through the center of me?

Jenna

Three days and I still can’t stop moping around the house. I won’t even let my mom coax me out for retail therapy. She’s in my bedroom for the umpteenth time, trying to get me to talk.

“Baby, please. Tell me what’s wrong. Did something happen to you in Spain? Something bad?”

I shake my head. “No, Mom. I just didn’t want to come back. I want some time alone.”

Downstairs I hear the sound of masculine voices. I don’t even realize my instantaneous reaction of going still, listening for the deep familiar baritone. But it’s not him. It’s not Alex.

Unfortunately, my interest wasn’t missed. My mom gives me a penetrating look. “Something happened with Alex.” She says it like a statement, not a question.

My flush gives me away.

She scoots closer to me on the bed. “Did you and he…?”

I swallow and nod.

Her mouth drops open. Then she draws herself up, squares her shoulders. “Well, where is he, then? He hasn’t called or stopped by—”

“Dad forbade him to touch me.” I don’t know why I’m defending him. I had all the same thoughts as my mother. I just can’t stand to have anyone think anything bad about—Christ, it’s true—the man I love.

My mother’s lips press together. “That’s ridiculous,” she says primly.

“And he’s just Dad’s puppet, I guess. So that’s that.”

My mother mutters something in Italian, then stands up and folds her arms across her chest. “No,” she says. “Your father doesn’t get to decide this for you. Not after he hamstrung you all these years with that farce of a marriage contract. No, he gets absolutely no say in who his daughter dates or doesn’t date.”

I’m not sure whether to throw up or hug her. “What do you mean, farce of a marriage contract?” Because it sure as hell felt real to me.

My mother makes a scoffing sound. “I knew he would never make you go through with it in the end. It was to keep pressure on the Tacones—it wasn’t real.”

The stone in my stomach grows heavier. “It was real. My whole life you told me I had to marry him. Why would you say that if it wasn’t real?”

Suddenly, unexpectedly, my mother bursts into tears.

I stand up, bewildered. She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. “Oh, Jenna. I’m so sorry. It was so wrong, so unfair. I couldn’t get your father to end it. He let it go way too far. Until we lost you.”

I pat her back, holding back my own tears. Of course my mother suffered as much as I did. She’s dedicated her life to me. I’m her only child.

“Jenna!” Alex’s voice booms from downstairs. “Jenna?” He repeats my name, but it’s closer now, like he’s coming up here.

My mom hurriedly pulls away from me and we stare at each other.

“What the fuck is going on?” My dad sounds pissed.

“I need to talk to Jenna.” Alex is right outside my door now.

I throw it open. Alex looks terrible—dark circles under his eyes, his hair unkempt, like he’s been shoving his fingers through it.

“Anything you need to say to her, you can say to me first.” My dad’s right behind Alex.

Alex’s lips tighten. He stops and pivots to face my father. “Okay.” He drags out the second syllable. “Don Giuseppe. I love your daughter—always have. And I think she cares about me, too.”

My dad’s eyes narrow.

I’m frozen, my legs rooted where I stand.

“My daughter’s not dating a soldier,” my father says flatly.

“I agree,” Alex says.

I can’t breathe.

“That’s why I’m going into investing. See, there’s this great fashion styling plan your daughter came up with, and I’d like to fund it.”

“Alex,” I croak, forcing my body to move forward. I fall into his arms, my cheek pressing up against his hard muscled chest.

“You let them go,” my mother demands, poking my father in the chest. “Both of them. Set them free from La Cosa Nostra. I don’t want my grandchildren living this way.”

My father’s breathing hard through his nose, so heavy I start to worry he’s having a heart attack. I wouldn’t be surprised if the cigars and bourbon finally did him in. He lifts a finger and points it at Alex.

Alex doesn’t flinch. I’m not surprised, because he is a badass in his own right now, too, but it still takes palle.

“You ever hurt her, you cheat on her, I’ll cut your motherfucking balls off.” My dad sounds so mean, it takes us all a moment to realize he’s just conceded.

“Dad,” I choke, tears spearing my eyes. I leave Alex’s arms to hug him. “I love you,” I say to his collar as he squeezes me tight.