Not him, too.

He’ll be alright, I am sure of it, but if me finding a wife will make him worry less, then fuck it.

“I am not settling down with that soul-sucking demon,” I told him.

“Do you have a better choice than the only female boss in history, son?” My father smiles, all traces of sadness gone for a little while at least. “If you do, then please, I’m all ears.”

Nodding, I stand tall. “I do.”

“Who?”

“The youngest Parisi,” I say out loud. I’ve kept the girl’s existence to myself for years, but it’s time.

“Gabriele Parisi had two children, Riagan.”

Taking the cig I had snuck on top of my ear, I light it with my father’s zippo, take a quick drag, and expel the smoke upwards. “I’ve met her. She’s real.”

Da’s mouth twigs up into a smile. “I think it’s time I meet her then.”

“Soon.” I turn and head for the door, but before I exit the room, I throw one last thing over my shoulder. “And quit fucking smoking, and take better care of yourself from now on, yeah?’

My father laughs. “Yeah, kid, yeah.”

Shutting the office’s door behind me, I grab my phone from the back pocket, unlock it, and type a quick text to Daly. The soldier who is tasked with precious cargo.

Me: All good?

Bain: All good.

That’s all I need.

Pocketing my phone, I move.

I did not lie.

I never lied to my father before, and I’m not about to start now.

I did meet the woman I was going to marry, although I thought I had a little more time to ease her into the idea of me.

Of us.

This was not how it was supposed to go down but fuck it.

Divine timing, my mother used to say.

Divine timing, indeed.

I just wish it didn’t take my father being sick for me to go after what I always wanted.

What I crave most in this life.

Her.

Now all I need is for all the puzzle pieces to fall into place, but first… I’ll need a little help.

Part One

STOLEN PRINCESS