Page 21 of Heartless Mafia Prince

“She is. I believe she’s watching a movie in the theater.”

“Will you spend next week with me?”

We turned the corner and entered the dark gourmet kitchen.

He flipped on the lights. “No, sweetheart. I have business out of town.”

Dad leaned into my ear. “How about I spend time with you both Sunday night? I’ll leave the house Monday morning.”

I smiled up at him. “We’d love that, dad. Have a seat. I’ll grab your plate and make drinks.”

He slid into one of the sleek tan high back leather chairs.

“Rocco let you drink tonight?”

Shit.

He probably smelled the whiskey on my breath.

“Dad, I’m drinking sprite.” I reached into the glass cabinet overhead and grabbed the Jim Beam.

“I poured my drink. And Rocco didn’t let me do anything.” Peeking over my shoulder, I batted my long lashes.

“I’m a big girl. You of all people should know I’m not controlled by anyone.” I placed the whiskey before him.

“Ryah, the second you entered the party with Rocco, he was to ensure your safety.”

I shoved oven mitts over my hands, then retrieved his plate from the warmer drawer.

“Do you think I can’t handle myself?”

“You’re a Conti, of course you can.”

I pushed the plate toward him. “So, why do I need a man’s protection?”

“This life is dangerous. You of all people should know that. Your grandmother isn’t here anymore. Rest her soul. All because of this brutal life we live.”

Holding the refrigerator door open, I glanced at him.

“Must you remind me every time grandmother passed away?”

“Perché lo faccio, Ryah?” He asked, “Why do I do it?”

His fist pounded the gray marble countertop. “I do it because you’re the heir to this throne.” Dad’s eyes were dark and cold.

His thin lips tightened. “I don’t rest until I know you’re safe wherever I am in the world, Ryah.”

Dad ran his large hand over his dark brown curls. “Rocco will answer to me.”

I slammed the sprite bottle on the counter. “Please dad? It’s unnecessary. He’s coming over tomorrow evening for target practice. Rocco is overly protective every day. Tonight, started out no different. We just went our separate ways for a while.”

I hung with my friends and he fucked Emily.

“Why was he calling your name in the middle of the street?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Damn it, Art.

My other bodyguard clearly reported what took place earlier.

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