Page 45 of Assassin's Obsession

I appreciate that he does not want to let Freddy take me away, but I'm not feeling all that positive about what comes next. I'm still a witness. This is still a mafia thing.

"Lei è mia figlia. Verrà da me."

The only word I recognize in Stefano's words is daughter, but the arrogance in his tone is a universal language.

"She may be your biological daughter, but you're not the one who put a protection order on her. That would be my boss. Don't think being a capo will save you from his wrath if you violate it."

"I am not going to harm my daughter," Stefano says in English, exasperation ringing in his tone.

I guess he uses English so I can understand the words. Like that will make me feel all warm and fuzzy toward him. As if. No chance am I letting his henchman take me anywhere.

My mom made the mistake of believing Stefano Bianchi once when he said he would protect me.

I never will.

My past shows just how empty those promises are when uttered by the untrustworthy capo.

But there's a weird sensation in my chest.

After all but ignoring my existence for twenty-four years, Stefano called me daughter for the first time. In both Italian and English.

Whatever is going on in my chest, I refuse to be moved.

"First you order my execution and now you're ordering your goon to kidnap me? That's father of the year stuff right there." I make no effort to tone down the snark.

"I didn't know it was you."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better about the fact that my sperm donor ordered the death of a perfectly innocent person tonight?"

"Hey, I'm innocent too!" Mr. Bad-Debt has righted himself into a sitting position.

Guess his knees were getting sore from kneeling.

Freddy smacks him on the back of the head. "I told you to shut your trap."

Stefano's sigh is heavy. "Bonbon never understood about mafia business either."

"Don't you say her name. You don't have the right. Mommy believed your lies. She thought you were something. But I know the truth."

"Kathleen, you don't understand. You were just a child."

"A kid never once held by her dad. While your sons were living safe in your mansion on Long Island, mom was turning tricks in the backroom to keep us in a single room, rat infested building. She was there for me. She took care of me."

"Kathleen," he says sharply, like he has the right to reprimand me.

I ignore the interruption. "But you?" I ask with all the disgust I feel. "You're nothing, Stefano Bianchi. You were nothing but a john sloppy with the condoms. And you are nothing,nothing," I repeat with fervor. "Nothing to me."

"Did I say balls?" Mario asks, his tone filled with awe. "That's pure pussy power right there."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demand. Is he calling me a bitch?

Derian says, "Balls can only make babies. Pussies can push them out into the world."

"Yeah. Balls? They're the weakest spot on a guy's body. Pussies are tough as hell," Mario adds.

"Shit, I never thought of that," Freddy says.

"Enough!" Stefano barks. "If you mention my daughter's pussy again, I'll cut your tongues out."

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