Page 41 of The Forbidden Husband

“Dad, he won’t let me in on details, but he assured me there were a lot.”

“He assured you, did he?”

“Maybe it would be a better option to call this off and build an alliance with them. You have all the control you need to—”

“I don’t have all the control. I still have the fucking Rissis at my back door, limiting my potential. We could have everything we ever wanted, and that’s why these plans are in place. Don’t talk to me as if you’re the one in charge here. I am directing you. You’re going to do as I say.” He audibly huffed. “You’re trying to get out of this after a few weeks, but this plan could span years if plans continue falling through. You’d better get comfortable.”

I knew he meant it as a threat, but for some reason, the thought of staying away didn’t leave the sour taste in my mouth that he had anticipated.

I didn’t say anything as he began rambling to himself about potential plans.

“They’re weak, and they won’t initiate an attack. Not when they have so much to lose. But I have you in their home. Around their people. With you…”

He trailed off as if an idea hit him squarely in the chest.

“With me, what?”

“We can take out Giovanni Rissi.”

“No.”

The word left my lips before I could stop, and I cursed myself.

“No?”

“I mean, it won’t work. Everything will transfer to Enzo, and they’ll be just as powerful. They’ll be more powerful, and it will give them a reason to strike.”

“I know what I’m doing, and I expect you to carry out this plan for me.”

No. I had done everything for my father, but I couldn’t stoop to his level. Gathering information was vastly different than murdering a man who had shown me nothing but decency. A man who had shown decency to his people.

I couldn’t do it.

Iwouldn’t.

“I’m not killing someone for you,” I told my father, shaking my head. “It’s too far.”

He stayed silent for too long. I had never denied him anything as long as I had been alive. I had always accommodated his whims and wishes. I wasn’t rebellious like Noemi or oblivious like Evelina. I didn’t have a “fuck it” attitude like Livia. I had always been the “perfect” oldest daughter.

Until now.

“You’re going to make me hire someone else to do this?”

“I'm not a murderer.”

“If I have to hire someone, Aria, I will need to raise the funds.” I wanted to tune out his next words. He knew exactly where to hit me where it hurt. I held my breath. “I will have to arrange an auction for Evelina’s virtue. Men will pay top dollar for something like that. Maybe if I receive a high enough offer, they can have her.”

“She’s your daughter,” I shouted into the line. “You can’t.”

“Because she’s my daughter, I can. I only need one of you.”

He knew the position he put me in. He knew he had checkmate before he even said the words, and I’d been foolish to think I had another option.

“Fine,” I spat. “I’ll do whatever you want. But if you hurt her—”

“I’ll get back to you with the information.”

He ended the call without giving me a single assurance.

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