Page 57 of His to Honor

“You were there?”

“Yeah, but I’m okay.”

Despite my reassurance, he huffs out what might be a sob and pulls me into his arms. He strokes my hair. “My poor girl.”

After a minute, this unexpected show of affection becomes awkward so I wriggle out of his hold.

“I’m fine, Dad, I promise you. The men who attacked us came off worse.”

“I’m sorry you went through that. A sweet girl like you shouldn’t have to witness such things.” Anger flares in his eyes. “Where is Matteo? He should be by your side, not leaving you to fly all this way alone.”

I don’t bother to point out that I made it all the way to Italy on my own so returning that way was no big deal.

“They took a couple of enemy soldiers alive. He wanted to question them himself.”

My dad nods approvingly. He’s always respected the Volantes’ willingness to get their hands dirty. They never ask their men to do things they wouldn’t themselves.

“So, he sent you home?”

“No, I needed to get away. I didn’t tell him I was leaving.”

Dad’s jaw clenches. “Did something happen?”

I shake my head. “I’m just making a point.”

“Giulia. You can’t play games with a man like Matteo Volante.”

“I can handle Matteo.” Even to my own ears that lacked conviction. “Better than I could have handled Johnny Lombardi.”

It’s a low blow, but right now I am pissed at the men in my life constantly trying to take control from me.

“Giulia…” His tone is apologetic, his face stricken.

“Why did you marry me to Johnny?” I ask. “Was it just because you hoped to further your career?”

As he turns away and restarts the engine, which stalled when he screeched to a halt, I think he’s going to refuse to give me an answer. He releases the parking brake and drives off.

“Valeria owed him money.” He speaks quietly, his hunched shoulders betraying his shame. “She likes to shop.”

‘Likes’ is the understatement of the century. The woman lives for designer clothes, purses, gaudy jewels. I never imagined she was spending so far beyond my dad’s means that she’d resort to borrowing money from one of his mob brothers.

“I see.” My jaw clenches. “And you couldn’t think of another way to pay him off?”

“Johnny wanted your brother to fight to clear the debt, but he wasn’t ready for a death match.”

“So, it was Phillip’s life or mine?”

He bows his head in shame. “Johnny wouldn’t have hurt you.”

“No, he wouldn’t because Matteo warned him off.”

Dad glances at me, his eyebrow cocked. “I thought he’d step in, offer for you himself. Why didn’t he?”

I shrug. “I guess he didn’t see me as wife material.”

“But he does now?”

I spread my hands out. “Evidently.”

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