Page 144 of Heartless Mafia Prince

“It’s chilly. Take my jacket.”

I nodded and kicked off my shoes. Curling under dad’s suit jacket, I nuzzled my nose into the fabric of the black armchair. It was soft to the touch. I sniffed. And sniffed the chair again. I swear I smelled mom’s perfume. No, she would never come here. And watch dad kill people. I shook that thought out of my head. I meant to ask him if mom had ever been in the dungeon. Dad tossed grandmother’s killer across the room like he was a toy truck. Clarence was average build and could probably stand up to dad under very different circumstances.

Dad’s bodyguards stood around the room and watched dad rip the asshole apart. I didn’t flinch as Dad tortured Clarence. He killed someone so special to me. The roomer was he and his crew planted the bomb on granddad’s truck. My grandparents often went to their friends’ house on Friday night. An emergency arose. Agatino told Eloisa to go home without him. He’d see her later on. Agatino left with one of his friends in a different truck. Grandmother waved to her friend as she climbed into the back of the truck. Her guard turned over the ignition, and the truck exploded.

Linda sat our plates before us, bringing me back from my thoughts. Over the years, I pondered on how grandmother died. Something didn’t add up. Dad’s hatred for granddad had grown in recent years. Did he question if granddad had something to do with grandmother’s murder?

“Thank you, Linda.” I smiled.

“May I get either of you anything else?” she asked, as she refilled my tea.

“No thank you,” dad stated.

The second she left the table, I bit into a coconut shrimp. The flavors danced on my tongue. “This is so good. I’ll have to ask mom to make some next week.”

“Ryah, I know you’re eager to take my place one day.”

“Yes, Dad. When I turn twenty-five, I expect the same treatment Rocco will receive from his family on his big day.”

He gruffly rubbed his clean-shaven face. “This role has always been held by men.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m aware, Dad. You’ll need to make everyone understand this is how it will be.” I couldn’t announce in public that I’d be the boss. The Donna of the Conti mafia family. He knew what I meant.

Dad groaned. “I will, Ryah.”

The biggest smile crossed my lips.

“Daddy, thanks again for letting Rocco join us on our trip.” I felt my cheeks heat up when I said my boyfriend’s name.

Dad refreshed his wine and gulped half the glass. “You’re really in love with him, huh?”

“Yes.” I leaned in. “Stop threatening to end him.

“He’s pushing his luck, sweetheart,” Dad said, through bared teeth.

“Rocco’s been around forever. You used to love when he came over and hung out.”

He slid a sliver of steak into his mouth and chewed slowly, staring at me. His wheels were turning.

“That was before he touched my daughter.”

“You mean had...”

His fist landed on the table, shaking the dishes. Everyone in the restaurant turned and stared.

He pointed his finger. “Don’t fucking say it.”

“You can’t listen to me say that word, but I had to hear you and mom go at it over the years. Jesus. You two scarred me for life.”

His tanned face turned beat red. “Ryah, I’m sorry about that. You know I love your mother very much.”

“I do, Dad. And I love Rocco. Stop trying to end him.”

His eyes darkened. “You like him a lot. You don’t love him.”

“How do you think he feels about me?”

Dad turned his attention to his meal. “Ryah, did you go to his room last night?”

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