Page 30 of Heartless Mafia Prince

“After watching one episode, I’m yelling at the TV. I don’t know how you watch them back-to-back.” I shook my head.

“Son, I watch strictly for entertainment.” He tapped the pause button on the remote. “Why weren’t you watching Ryah tonight?” His brown eyes met mine.

“She doesn’t need me to watch over her.” I swiped the beanie off my head and stuffed it into my jacket pocket.

“Ryah and I were talking right before she ran out the door,” I lied.

She left the party after she made me come for her.

I laughed on the inside.

“Agosto and Gennaro walked the premises the entire time. I’ll tell Luciano myself when I meet with him tomorrow.”

I sat in the ivory upholstered chair to his left.

“Ran out the door?” Dad side eyed me.

I ignored his statement.

He leaned his head against the flat brass queen's crown that poured out over the top of the mahogany leather headboard. Dad said this room was fit for a queen. The bed certainly reminded me of a king and queen’s throne. He forgot to add the entire house was mom’s playground. Dad left her to design the house as she desired. Mom let my sister and I give a touch of inspiration into the colors and furniture we wanted in our bedrooms.

“You don’t owe him an explanation. She has Art and Smitty to protect her.”

“Dad, I understand. This situation is different. I asked Ryah’s mother if she could attend the party with me. I was responsible for her. Every time Ryah is in my presence, I watch out for her. I’ve done so as long as I can remember. Besides, as of tonight, Ryah is my girlfriend.”

His brow lifted. “Let me get this straight. She ran after she agreed to be your girlfriend?”

I inched forward in the chair, gripping my long strands. “She kissed me, then left. I later told her she’s my girlfriend.”

“Che diavolo?” he asked, what the hell in Italian.

He poured a generous amount of whiskey into his glass.

“Dad, she wanted to be my woman.”

He arched a brow. “Are you sure? Sounds like she had no choice. I know you’ve liked her for years. But Rocco, she has a right to decide if she wants to be in a relationship with you.”

I shook my head. “That’s odd. Mom said you told her she was yours and it wasn’t anything she could do about it.”

He ran a hand over his beard. “She told you that, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait till that woman gets up here, -”

I threw a hand up. “Spare me the details. Pretty sure it’s something sexual.”

A hearty chuckle left his throat.

“Dad, just like you knew mom belonged to you. I know in my heart Ryah is mine. She may be a little stubborn starting out. We’ll get on the same page soon enough.”

“Are you sure you want to be in a relationship right now?”

I stood and my heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Yes, dad.”

“This is my friend’s daughter we’re talking about. You can’t play with her head.”

“Dad, have you met Ryah?”

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