Page 38 of Cruel Redemption

“I was trying to tie up a loose end for your father,” he admitted.

I blinked. “My father? What are you talking about?” I had a chill. It had run from my shoulders to my wrists. He made it sound as if my father was still alive and giving him orders.

“It’s still not the time. We can go into it later.”

“Maybe it’s the perfect time.” It would take my mind off the one thing I couldn’t control right now.

Ciro exhaled. “There was something he wanted me to do for him four years ago.”

“I remember. It was when I was?—”

“Yes, that’s when it was.” Ciro didn’t like to talk about it anymore than I did. He harbored guilt and failure that I’d been snatched out of my own house.

“You didn’t finish the errand for him then?” I asked.

“No.” He made a sharp turn. “I found out about you and left without finishing what he asked me to do.”

I was trying to make sense of the breadcrumbs. “You weren’t able to get back to it until now?”

“That’s correct.” He turned the radio off, despite that it was too low to hear the station playing. “I haven’t left New Orleans. I haven’t left your side in four years.”

“And I appreciate that. But I’ve never asked you not to take a day off of work.”

“Protecting your life is not a job, Amara. It’s what I pledged to do. It’s my duty to you and your father.”

“Maybe you need more time off, Ciro. Time to go do something for yourself. I’m not talking about errands for my father.”

He pulled into the Hilton and parked. The car hummed. Neither of us moved.

“He’s going to ask you to marry him. I don’t think you should do it.”

“What?” My head flooded with anger.

“I told him not to propose. It would only end in disaster, and with you getting hurt.”

“You had no right to interfere in my private relationship.” I clenched my teeth. I was stunned by his admission. Stunned that Luka would have told him.

“The Novikovs are not good enough for you. They don’t have anything to contribute to Amato Global. They will only tear down what you have built. He is not good enough for you.”

“I get to make that decision. Not you.”

“Your father isn’t here anymore. There is no one who knows you like I do. And until I find…” He stopped.

“Until you find what?” I pressed. “What was that errand?” I demanded. I had had enough of this game. I didn’t want to blame Ciro as much as I blamed my father for making this man pledge his life to me, when I’d never asked for it. I was furious Ciro was still carrying out jobs for a dead man. I was angry that Ciro wanted Luka out of my life. This car was filled with anger.

He turned with a stiff twist to face me in the backseat.

“You have a half-sister,” he blurted.

“I do not.”

“She lives in Philadelphia. She’s twenty-four.”

“No. That’s not possible.” I shook my head.

“She doesn’t know about you. She doesn’t know the business.”

I looked out the window. There were several police cars parked near the front door. I saw volunteers walking in and out carrying crates of drinks and lunch. Some had banners. Some had stacks of flyers.

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