Page 51 of Broken Saint

21

Nova

"You look surprised to see me."

I stood staring dumbfounded at Anthony Cullotta Senior sitting in my living room. What was I supposed to say to him? Unlike some people, I did not dream of seeing the man who ruined my life again so I could say my piece.

"Why are you here?"

"Is that the proper way to greet your father after so many years?"

His superior attitude, and the implication that I should somehow be grateful that he graced me with his presence, pulled me out of my immobile stupor. This moment may have been inevitable, but that didn't mean I looked forward to it.

"I wouldn't have a clue what might be appropriate in this situation. You sent me away and cut me off from my family. Don't expect me to be grateful now."

"You, young lady, brought shame on our family. Sending you away was the least harsh way I could have handled what you did."

I gaped at him. "What I did? That's rich."

"I am not the one who killed my husband on my wedding night."

"Is that what you really think happened, or do you tell yourself that so you can sleep at night?"

"Enough!" His forceful command vibrated throughout my suite and along my spine. It reminded me that my father had a cruel streak with a hair trigger. I could push him now or bide my time and strike when the odds were more in my favor."It doesn't matter what really happened. Only what people think happened!"

"So, I assume you are here about Ronin. What do you want me to do?"

"Fulfill your obligation while also remembering that no matter what happens, including marriage, your loyalty is owed to the Cullotta family."

His choice of wording made it clear that I was not considered a family member anymore. That ended five years ago, and there was no going back. I should want to shed a tear over his callous treatment, but those days were over. If I had my way, the Cullotta name would never be associated with Nova.

"If that's your way of reminding me to keep family secrets to myself, it isn't necessary. I may not have known what I was getting into when I turned eighteen, but I've had time to come to terms with my future."

"Don't be so dramatic. It isn't necessary. But you need to keep your guard up with Kavanaugh. He's dangerous and looking for something. He cannot be trusted.

He didn't need to warn me. These were all things I already knew. "If you are so worried about him, why make me marry him? That sounds risky."

My father steepled his fingers and tapped them against his lips. "Because it's what we do. I need a truce between our families until I am good and ready. I can't guarantee you a happy union, though. The outfit in New York pretty much hates us. But if there is a chance this wedding can postpone the inevitable, then that is what we will do."

We? Was he kidding? We were not getting married, I was. Or at least that's what he expected so I needed him to believe that. I hadn't given up hope that those diamonds sitting in my safe were still my ticket out. Although Ronin may not be the one to help me after all. I would have to weigh all the options now, including any I hadn't yet thought of.

"Whatever you say." I wanted him to think I would go along with whatever he wanted, but to make it more believable I couldn't be too agreeable. That would be out of character as well. Whatever he thought he wanted, I had to go along with it, or this plan would never work. My father was a total bastard and it turned my stomach to even pretend I cared about a word he said.

"You think I don't know what you're doing?"

My breathing hitched, panic flooding me as I jerked to attention at his words. They'd come so far out of left field I didn't know what to think. What the hell was that supposed to mean? My brain couldn't think through the scenarios fast enough. Whatever he thought he knew, it couldn't be the truth. No way in hell, right? And then I remembered my last conversation with my sister. I'd had my doubts...

I looked at him cautiously. Almost afraid he'd see right through my ruse. "What do you mean?" I had to ask. Just rip off the bandage and let him tell me what he thought he knew. I'd been preparing for this for a long time. I only hoped I'd managed to keep the desperation I felt from my voice.

"You are up to something. Five years, and you haven't changed a bit. You tell me what you think I want to hear then you go and do whatever it is you feel like doing." He lunged forward and grabbed my wrist and drug me closer to him. "Only you aren't a child anymore, and I tired of your games a long time ago. What aren't you telling me, daughter?"

He spat the title like it was useless trash. Obviously, he couldn't be bothered to even use my name. As for the question, I wouldn't deign to answer it at this point. He seemed to know nothing—yet.

"My name is Nova. I stopped being your daughter the moment you kicked me out." This time the tremble in my voice came from a well of rage, not fear.

His face twisted into an ugly mask marred by anger. "You are still my blood. Which means what happens to you is up to me. You live at my mercy. Do you understand that? You are lucky your disgrace has not tarnished our name. If not for this deal with Kavanaugh I might have had to take more drastic action with your future."

I shuddered to think what he thought would be more drastic than selling me off to a violent killer. Ronin probably had more blood on his hands than any other made man. No one knew for sure because bodies were rarely found. But the rumors were strong that he was probably the most lethal enforcer anyone had ever seen. I had tried to forget that information when dealing with him, but now, with my father here, I realized I had more to be frightened about than I ever thought before.

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