Page 61 of Maddest Temptation

“Were they negative?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

“Please, Doctor. I just need to know.”I pleaded.

He sighed. But I knew the answer. If the doctor was here talking to me and suggesting the transplant, was it because my father was negative? Which was good, right? It meant he couldn’t be a donor, and for some reason, I wouldn’t want his organ inside my mother. He was rotten inside, and I didn’t want a part of him in her.

“I’m sorry, Francesca. He was a match.”Dr. Conrad confessed.

“It’s fine…”

Wait. What?

“Positive?” I asked.

“I’ve said too much already. He asked to keep it a secret, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I believe it would help your mother if the donor was someone from her family. The list could take months, sometimes years.”

He was positive. My father was a match. A MATCH. And he still didn’t agree to the transplant. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Days ago, my mother had poured out her heart, telling me how much she loved the man, while he didn’t even care about her.

“I have to go.”

I didn’t know how I got here, but once the taxi stopped, I paid the driver and stepped out. The street before my father’s house was empty aside from the two guards posted by the gates. I stared at them for a while, knowing this was a terrible idea but not caring enough to stop.

My blood was boiling, my nails dug deep into my palms as I tried to keep my anger at bay. I had no idea what I was going to say to Donato Manci, but I knew I had to say something.

As I walked toward the gates, one of the guards came forward, his hand on his gun. “Francesca Manci. Open the damned gate before I make a scene.” I stopped by the guest entrance. The guard inspected me from head to toe like I was some knucklehead. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“Is he expecting you?” one of the idiots asked.

“I’m his daughter.” The words tasted rotten in my mouth, making me want to throw up.

He spoke into his radio and after a few seconds, he opened the gates. I took a deep breath and stepped through them and walked the path toward the house. Not stopping to analyze my surroundings.

“Francesca.” I knew the voice; it had been with me since I was a kid. I didn’t stop to talk to my old guard. “What are you doing?”

“Not now, Umberto.” My voice came out harsher than I wanted to.

“You shouldn’t have come.” That made me stop. I looked into his eyes and saw the plea in them.

“Where is he?” I asked softly.

“Francesca, he’s not in a good mood,” he warned, trying to make me change my mind.

“Neither am I,” I pointed out. “Where is he, Umberto? I’m going in there whether you want it or not.”

“He’s in his office.” Umberto sighed in defeat. “Enzo and Gianluca are there with him. Be careful, Francesca.”

Upon hearing Gianluca’s name, I shivered. Them being here wouldn’t stop me, but it made me falter for a second.

I marched toward Donato’s office and didn’t stop to knock or introduce myself. If I did, I might lose my courage, I simply pulled the doors open and stepped inside.

Donato was sitting in his office chair. He looked ten years older, his shirt strained against his belly and his thin hair did nothing to hide his balding head. He wore a Hugo Boss suit that looked two sizes too small. The scent of cigars and whiskey filled my nose, and sure enough, I saw both of them near him.

He had been talking to Enzo when I stepped in. Both his men looked at me, as did Marco whose eyes shot wide.

“What is this?” he barked when he saw me. “Who let you in?”

“I don’t need to be let in, father. This is my home after all, isn’t it?”

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