Page 38 of Vengeful Reign

I scoff in his face, daring him because I’ve had enough of him. Suddenly all the fear I had at seventeen fades. The man I thought he was all those years ago seems to be worse than I imagined or exaggerated.

“Well, so far there’s nothing I like about you.”

He starts to raise his hand as if he was going to pop me in the face. “So help me God—if you put your hands on me, it will be the last motherfucking thing you do, old man. I don’t take shit from men no matter how powerful they believe they are.” I step back and glare at him, but it’s the growl that comes from my side that causes him to step back.

Even though it appears Jack has no intention of acting, he moved John and had one hand in his suit jacket. “Chill out, Father. My fiancée is a little bit put out when you talk about John. She’s worked very hard with him this past year, getting little to no sleep with him around.”

“Fiancée? You’re marrying her?” The bravado on his face fades.

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“Of course it is a problem. We have no idea of her involvement.”

“I know she’s innocent.” I love that he’s sticking up for me with complete conviction and not letting this selfish prick change his mind. It hadn’t occurred to me that it could be a possibility until now that we’re standing in front of him, butthese big brutes have a way of throwing their weight and power around.

“You can’t be sure; it’s just too convenient,” he continues, glancing at me with a look of mistrust.

“Don’t talk about convenience to me when you never wanted him around and then he disappeared.” I storm off with Nora and John by the hand. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

We were in the vehicle within seconds. He wasn’t wasting any time lingering at the house. Tension rolls off Jack like massive waves, and I’m afraid he’s pissed at me. “I’m sorry I was so rude to your father.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s a blowhard that’s trying to posture, but it’s not going to work. By the way—we have a wedding to plan.” I haven’t forgotten about our arrangement. As much as I enjoy this passion between us, I remember that it’s a temporary situation. I should ask about it, but I won’t. There’s too much going on to demand my freedom date. After all, I still have my home in Philly.

“Why isn’t your dad fighting for John?”

“Because I already told him that if I found John again, he was mine and I wouldn’t give him custody. Honestly, I think he prefers not having the responsibility of caring for him.”

The second we got John down for a nap, the doorbell rings. Agnes goes to the entrance and opens the door. “Mr. MacNamara, what brings you here, sir?”

“I need to speak with my son.”

“No, you don’t,” Jack snarls. “I’m pretty sure we just left your home, and there’s nothing left to say.”

“I want John back.”

“That is tough shit because you weren’t capable of taking care of him before.”

“He’s my son, not yours, and you don’t have the right to him.”

“Actually, when you were in the hospital, I was given power of attorney and I made sure to gain full custody of John. I’m the one who searched for him. Hell, you would have known that if you and your detective actually put any effort in your search.”

“You’re being difficult, Jack. I’ll have my attorney look at the supposed custody documents.”

“Go ahead. Now get out before you disturb John. Nora and I have a lot of wedding plans to make.”

“When is this supposed wedding going to take place?”

“In two weeks.”

“Does she know you refused to marry her before? She wasn’t good enough because she’s a Fieri. As you called them—trash.” He’s trying to needle me and put a wedge between Jack and me, but we’ve already discussed it, and I’m grateful that we had because it would have been a problem.

“Nice try with that, but we discussed the whole Fieri and MacNamara arranged marriage bit. Now—you heard my fiancé when he said to beat it.”

“You better teach her to hold her tongue, Jack. She’s going to be a problem.”

“It’s best if you leave.”

“I’ll be back with my lawyers.” He turns around and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

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