Page 7 of Vicious Union

His eyes bore into mine, silently telling me he won’t say anything, but he’s going to hold it over my head.

I rip my hand away from his. “You, too. But next time, I’d appreciate it if you asked my permission before you kiss my hand.”

Everyone looks shocked.

Emilio’s expression settles into one of annoyance. “I don’t need your permission.”

“Well, I say you do.”

Dad chuckles, rubbing his hand on my arm. “Isn’t she a firecracker? Caterina, pumpkin, play nice.”

“Sorry, Daddy,” I say in my sweetest voice.

He softens into mush. “It’s all right.”

Emilio looks back and forth between my dad and me. I throw him a smug look. See? You can’t get me into trouble with my dad. He loves me and will forgive me anything I do.

“So, you’re a daddy’s girl?” Emilio asks, frowning.

“She sure is,” my dad responds. “Always has been. Caterina is my pride and joy. Now, come in, gentlemen. Come sit down.”

We settle into the living room, and I purposefully sit beside my dad, so Emilio can’t sit beside me and try to freak me out with his dark eyes. It’s like they can see into my soul or something. It’s freaky, to say the least.

Emilio and Rocco sit opposite us.

“Francesco,” Rocco says, “It will be an honor for us to work even more closely together.”

“I agree.”

“What is it you’re getting from my dad?” I ask.

“Why does it matter?” Emilio responds. “Business is between the men.”

I snort. “Ok, Mr. Sexist. But I was just wondering what you’re getting from my dad in exchange for me.”

“His access to a drug operation,” Rocco says bluntly. “He works with another man I want to work with, and Francesco is my best bet in. He said he’d only do if I married Emilio to you, which I agreed to. Does that satisfy you?”

“It does,” I say surprised Rocco told me the truth. “At least some people trust me with knowledge.” I look pointedly at Emilio.

Rocco and my dad laugh awkwardly while Emilio looks like he’s fuming.

Win for me.

You don’t get to boss me around and treat me like I’m less than human just because you’re a De Luca.

“You’re a load of fun, Caterina,” Emilio says. “What’s your favorite hobby? Dancing?”

I close my mouth. Damn him. He knows he can use that secret over me for the rest of my life. So, because of that, I need to get ahead of him. “It is,” I say. “How did you know?”

“Call it a lucky guess.”

“Daddy,” I say, turning to him.

“Yes, pumpkin?”

“You know I love to dance.”

“I know.”

---