Dad ran his hand over his hair.

“Rocco actually suggested we ride home in the truck instead of taking our bikes. Maybe that action would’ve saved me from surgery and a hospital stay. But everything happens for a reason. I believe that accident happened so I could stand on my own two feet. Let’s face it, as long as your men were my guards, I had limited freedom. That’s over now,” I bit out.

“I don’t want anything to do with you.” I slammed my finger into his chest.

“Just so you know, I know the entire truth now about grandfather. Mom said he tried to kill us multiple times. I understand you tried to keep me away from him.”

“That’s right, He isn’t to be trusted.”

I nodded. “At twenty-five I will take matters into my own hands. He has to be put down. I am the person who should handle it.”

He tugged at his wild hair. “You’re right.”

“You being the big man and all, the ass beating they have planned won’t kill you. I hate what you did,” I bit out.

“You tried to keep me sedated in the hospital, and away from my boyfriend. He was standing at death's door when we found him,” I roared, releasing all the pinned-up anger I had for years because of Dad’s over protectiveness.

I narrowed my eyes. “You couldn’t have loved me.”

“Ryah, that’s not true.” His sad eyes mirroring mine stared back.

I waved a hand in the air. “If you did, you wouldn’t have taken matters so far.”

Urbano stalked over and yanked up Dad by his dress shirt.

“Motherfucker, that’s my boy you almost killed. Just like you, I’d lay down my life for my child. I can’t believe you! We raised our children together. There’s nothing you can do to escape the ass beating I have for you. A man who had been my best friend forever,” he snarled.

Urbano’s face twisted in disbelief. “How could you do that to him? Before he dated Ryah, you treated him like a son.”

“Urbano, I know. She’s my little girl. Imagine it was Breann. You’d be all right with her dating a man like us? We aren’t good guys. We’re murdering motherfuckers who take care of people who double cross us.”

He shoved his fist into Urbano’s chest. “We are the mafia, Urbano.”

He shook his head like he was trying to look past what his best friend had done.

“No, I don’t want this life for my daughter. But I raised Rocco right. He loves Ryah with everything in him. He doesn’t beat her or have her strung out on drugs. My son is a good guy. He’s heartless to those who double cross him and the ones he loves.” He pointed at me.

“That’s right,” I heard from behind.

“I’d walk across hot coals for my woman.” Rocco curled his fists, limping toward dad.

“You told me she was dead.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

Dad’s brows rose as he flayed his muscled arms. “Technically, you died for a few seconds.”

Urbano raised his hands. “What the fuck, Luciano? Sometimes, I think you’ve forgotten how crazy you were for Melanie,” he spat.

“You were ready to end your father. To my knowledge, you’re still not against ending him,” Urbano stated.

“That’s true,” Dad admitted.

Rocco pushed past Urbano and rammed his big hands into Dad’s chest.

“The anger you had toward your daughter you took out on me. That’s how fucked up you were in the head for however long you had me in your dungeon.”

The pain killers were wearing off. I staggered back and howled as the pain struck my body. Dominic scooped me up into his arms. “I got you. Ryah, I know you want to be a part of this fight. And you’re concerned about Rocco.”