Page 29 of A Devil's Pawn
My eyebrow arches.“It doesn’t, but you brought it up, and there’s something you need to know about the men you employed to spy on your sons.They’re now hanging in our warehouse, where rats of the family belong.”
He starts to talk but I cut him off.
“No, let me finish.They are there at my order, because they are not the men you believe them to be.We have good reason to believe they are working for the Gallinis, and were able to infiltrate our organization quickly, because you didn’t trust your sons.You created a weak link in our chain, Dad, something that shouldn’t exist, but you weakened our bond with your lies about me and Desiree and your mistrust of the sons who have done nothing but do your bidding and protect the interests of this family.”
“Back to the Cassone girl,” he yells.
Barely do I manage to keep my temper in check, but for him, and the protection of this family I will, but only to a fucking point.“It was never about Sophia, Dad.It was about my life, my freedom, my choices outside of yours, to do what other men are able to do.Find a love of their own.That’s what it was about, for me and for Desiree, that’s all she ever wanted too.And now, after my conversation with Amorte, it will be done.He’s agreed to our terms.”
His dark eyes turn to me.“Your terms, not my terms.I was not consulted, or I would have told you no, just like I have time and time again, but my son is just too fucking stubborn to listen to his parents.Even your mother agrees!”
I blow out a breath.“Leave Mother out of this.Amorte agreed.It’s done.I’m having Emil work up the documents to make it official, and in the meantime, we’re going to find somewhere safe for Desiree, somewhere she can be away from his clutches and have a life that she wants.Far, far away from this city.Then she won’t have to worry about trying to get away from her father.
Dad doesn’t say a word and looks to Leandro to gauge his reaction.Leandro stares back pointedly, not giving an inch.He’s not disrespectful, but my brother is with me all the way.My father takes another drink of Jack, emptying his glass before pouring himself another or saying a word.
When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet, controlled, and eerily different.“Your mother and I have conferred on the subject.I was going to hand you the keys to the Roselli empire next year, after the marriage to Desiree.It’s a hard pill to swallow knowing that your whole life is about to crumble because of a disobedient son.”
My eyes meet Leandro’s.“What do you mean by that, Dad?If there’s something you’re not telling us, now is the time.”
He nods, taking another long swig of his whiskey as though gaining courage to tell us what he has to say.“I imagine if you have the Gallini soldiers at the warehouse, and Jimmy and the rest of the boys do their job, you’ll find out soon enough.”
The blood pumps through my veins.One fucking riddle after another.At least he’s not throwing glasses.“You tell us, Dad.Tell us now.”
My father tips back his crystal glass and lets the entire contents float down his throat, and then stands, slamming his glass into a million pieces against the fireplace.“You thought there was a choice Massimo, because I let you think there was a choice.What you don’t understand, because I never told you, is that you’re never really in control, even when your title says you are.”
I start to say something, but his rage causes me to pause.“Go on.”
He gestures around the entire house.“All of this, do you not think I would give all of this up for you, your brothers, and most fucking certainly your mother?The love of my fucking life and now she’s gone.Gone because you didn’t do what you were fucking told, and started a war, Massimo!”
My chest tightens and the entire world tilts on an axis.“Who, who took her?When…” I’m on my feet ready to strangle the son of a bitch with my bare hands, except Leandro keeps me from tearing him apart.“Where the fuck is she, Dad?”
He looks me in the eyes, and the despair hits me like a slug right to the stomach.“When you think you’re fucking the enemy, they’re always really fucking you.Who the fuck do you think, Massimo?It’s never been anyone else, it’s always been the fucking Cassones.”
