Page 103 of Brutal Promise

“Dad, I don’t understand. You can’t bring an outsider into your bratva, can you?”

“I’m the leader. I can do whatever I want.”

Mm. I’m stumped.

“I want to get to know you. I can help Dmitry adjust. His reputation precedes him. He’s worthy of such a position. I didn’t extend an invitation to meet while he was in New York due to the danger around me. But your man has been to war and is savvy with people. That’s what you need to be a don. You have to know what makes other people tick.”

I’m wondering what my husband has done to gain the favor of my father.

When I listen to Dad’s voice, his words come from a place of profound love. I understand why the Moretti’s had to kill off my mother’s memory with a fake death. My father would have searched for her forever. The Moretti family isn’t built on love. It’s built on lies and the destruction of others. In fact, the Moretti’s didn’t come to our wedding, even though they were invited.

“The Moretti’s don’t protect their own,” I murmur.

Now, I no longer wonder why my mother left. She never felt the unconditional love of her parents. No one stood up for her. After she left, everyone moved on with their lives. My grandfather, Santino, wanted this and orchestrated everything to make it impossible for my mother to return to New York City and, more importantly, to keep her away from my father. His plan kept them separated forever.

“He’s a vile man. I have the proof I need to go to war, but I can’t do that to you. The Moretti’s are your blood, too.”

“I don’t care to see them. I refuse.”

“I want you both back in New York City. I’ll return as don and put things in order. I’ll take Dmitry under my wing so he can take over.”

“That’s not necessary, Dad.”

“I know. It’s what I want. I haven’t traveled. I haven’t enjoyed life. I want to enjoy the time I have left while I can do what I want.”

“What about your son?” I ask. I don’t want my husband in danger.

“My son is too young. I’ll give him something else to run. He’s not cut out for our business.” He waves his hand through the air as though it’s nothing. I’ve never met his son. His kids didn’t attend the wedding. I’m sure their mother made them stay home, knowing what she was going to do with the bomb.

I glance up to find Dmitry speechless.

“Two bratva’s merging. We can expand,” Dmitry speaks as he paces.

“That’s what we need, new blood, new energy.” Dad looks at me, “You’ll be the Principessa you were destined to be, Isabella.”

“I don’t need that. I just want you in my life.”

“You have that. You might tire of having me around, but I’ll never leave you.”

A tear slips from my eye. My dad loves me. Damn, these pregnancy hormones. At last, I finally know what happened in my mother’s young life. I find closure and peace. She must be looking over me because out of the chaos, I’ve found my father and a new family with my husband.

Dmitry leaves us to talk. After an hour, a nurse says I must leave as my dad needs rest.

I kiss his cheek and return to my room. I’m discharged from the hospital, and I’m relieved. I want to go home. Erik and Milan shower me with hugs and well wishes. I’ve survived my first day as a bratva bride, and I have so much to celebrate. Dmitry helps me into the car.

The mansion never looked more inviting than today. I can’t wait to take a real shower and get into something less fancy. My wedding dress might not recover from the incident.

“What do we do with that offer?” I ask my husband.

Charlotte brings Dmitry a vodka. The smell of dinner being cooked by our chef makes me hungry. We settle in the downstairs living room. It’s as if nothing happened after our wedding, yet our entire life has changed again.

“What do you want?” Dmitry sips his vodka. “I know you want a relationship with your father, and it’s tough to do it over the long distance.”

“True, but your family is here.”

“My family is wherever they need to be. You’re my family.”

I nod.

---