Page 142 of Heartless Mafia Prince

CHAPTER NINETEEN

RYAH

SITTING IN THE UPSCALEseafood restaurant, dad studied our surroundings. I marveled at the delish dishes on the menu. My mouth watered at the sight of the coconut shrimp. That was all Rocco talked about before we arrived in the Caymans. It was eleven thirty. Dad wanted to eat lunch early, hoping to beat the lunch crowd. As mad as I’d been with dad, it was hard to stay upset with him on vacation. It was safe to say, I was daddy’s little girl. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me. Sometimes, he angered me to the souls of my feet. To the point I hated him. The Rosetta situation definitely didn’t make me feel at ease. I hated her more. Mainly for marrying dad knowing he loved my mom. It was hard to wrap my mind around their arranged marriage. Dad didn’t have a choice. That was what I told myself over and over again. He was expected to marry Rosetta Vitale, daughter of lethal and powerful mob boss, Otello Vitale. In order to become the mafia boss of our family, he had to carry out his duties. I couldn’t imagine marrying someone I didn’t love. Well, first off, I never saw myself getting married.

The server approached, holding her hands behind her back.

“My name is Linda, and I’ll be your server today. Are you two ready to order?” She wore a tiny bun on the back of her head.

“Yes, I’ll have the coconut shrimp, the lobster ravioli, and a glass of iced tea.”

Dad glanced at me, then at the menu. “I’ll have the big steak meal. Also, a bottle of red wine.”

Linda’s brown cheeks lifted. “Right away.” She turned on her heels and walked into the kitchen.

Dad and I sat in a corner section. He had a great view of the kitchen door and the front entrance. Sunlight poured inside the island style restaurant. Briefly, I peeked at the customers who were deep in their own conversations.

I swayed my hands over the brown leather booth. “Dad, this lunch was long overdue.”

He lifted a brow. “You’re right. I tried to sit down and talk to you but you dodged me at every turn.”

“I’m still traumatized. The way mom behaved in front of me and Rocco.” I shook off the feeling of sadness creeping up my spine.

“I hate how she forgives you so easily.”

Linda returned with our drinks. She poured dad a generous amount of wine in his glass.

“Thank you,” Dad stated.

“You’re welcome. Your meals will be served in twenty minutes.”

I nodded before she walked away.

“Your mother and I have a unique arrangement. And she knows that.”

Sipping my tea, I glared at him. “What’s that, Dad? Keep your bastard child and mistress content.”

He dropped his head and balled his fists on the table. “You have no idea what your mother and I go through.” His eyes rose, meeting mine. “I’ve never once disowned you. I love you, Ryah. I’d do anything in this world for you.

I sighed. “Dad, I know. How many times have people said negative things about your black mistress and black daughter?”

A wicked grin swept across his handsome features. “Ryah, I want you to think about that for a moment longer.”

Dad sat back and sipped his wine.

He killed them for speaking bad about us?

“You can’t do that to everyone who says despicable things about me and mom.”

He pointed at himself and laughed. “Me, I can’t?”

I rolled my eyes. “Never mind, Dad. I forgot who I was talking to.” Dad was a feared mobster in Philly. No one dared fuck with him. Why did I ask that question? I longed for the day to return to the dungeon with him. Our talks were candid and freeing in that space.

“Dad, why did you stop my training? My seventeenth birthday is around the corner.”

“Ryah, I’m aware. We have the same birthday, remember?”

I sighed. “Yeah, Dad, how can I ever forget. Not sure who’s happier when that day arrives, me or you.”

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