Page 45 of Sinful Daughter (Dark Mafia Sins 2)

“Work stuff,” I respond so there will be no more questions. I honestly just want to get her naked so her skin is on mine. I need the connection to remind me I’m doing the right thing.

She puts her hands out for my keys. I’m fine. I only had a few drinks. “I won’t be able to bring you back. Follow behind me.”

She eyes me but doesn’t push.

Walking into my house, I head straight for my liquor. Opening my vodka bottle, I take a gulp. Its burn is welcomed. Bringing the bottle down, I see Aria is eyeing me.

“Want to know my favorite thing about you?” I ask her.

An amused smirk dances on her lips, and she lifts a brow.

“That you’re all mine.” I can’t wait for the moment she realizes she won’t have to marry Marco. That she will be free of her engagement. I’m determined to keep her. I will not tolerate sharing her any longer.

“How about I get you a glass of water?” She tries to walk by me, and I step toward her. Her arms come around my waist as she slips by with a giggle.

“I don’t need water. I got this.” I hold up the bottle, taking another swig. “Let’s go out, you and me.” I want to celebrate. I’m still riding the high of Marco back in jail. While Aria is with me, I want to focus on her. I’ll focus on the black rectangle box after she leaves.

“You know we can’t.” There is temptation swirling in her eyes. The smile on her lips is beautiful, like the rest of her.

Placing the bottle down, I stalk toward her, slowly taking my shirt off. “What if I can convince you?”

“Let’s stay here. I’ll order dinner, and we can sit outside.”

“Or I can give you a striptease?” I pick the bottle up, taking another swig, and she giggles. “Why, Aria Rossi, are you blushing?” I tug my belt off and pull her closer with it around her.

“Seriously, will you go on a date with me?”

“I think you can convince me to do anything.”

I wake upto a dark house, and Aria is gone. I don’t remember falling asleep. Sitting up, my mouth is parched. Then I remember continuing to drink once we got back. I have flashes of Aria trying to make me eat. And then that’s it. I close one eye, then the other, trying to remember if we had sex. No, my dick still feels as hard as it did this morning. I’m going to have to send her some flowers to smooth this over. The VHS sits on the dresser. Aria must have set it up for me. Standing, I pick up the video and place it in the machine before I go into my bathroom for a drink of water.

Returning, I press Play, turning up the volume, and sit back on my bed. The first part is gray static. I watch the blank tape for five minutes before my heart sinks.Fucking Grant.I’m about to stand up and shut the damn thing off when Nicoli Rossi comes into view on the grainy video. He’s talking to someone, but there’s no audio. My eyes stay glued to the TV as the two men talk for a few minutes, then finally the other person lifts his face and can be seen. My father stares right back at me. I watch Nicoli take a step back, and my father’s shoulders hunch before Nicoli raises a gun and shoots my dad right in the head. Nicoli Rossi murdered him execution-style.

Running to the bathroom, I vomit. The back of my hand wipes my mouth, and I stare into the mirror. My eyes are red-rimmed and bloodshot. I look like shit. It makes me wonder if Grant knew the whole time. If he did, whose side is he on? There has to be a purpose for why he showed me this.

Blowing out a hard breath, I contemplate if I’ve been blind with Aria. Would I have seen this before? Can I love the daughter of the man I want dead? The man who killed my father, ruining my childhood? Would Aria still love me if the reason for her father’s downfall is me?

I wish I had a clear fucking mind now. Shaking my head, I realize one truth—I’ve never let my guard down until now. I should have known better than to cozy up to a Rossi. In the end, only one of us will be left standing. Something has to change.

My heart pounds at the realization. Then perfectly timed, the family photo I have on my dresser topples over onto the floor, and the glass breaks.

“I know, Dad. I know what to do,” I say, looking up at the ceiling as if my dad is there.

Theo was fightinghis own demons today. I could feel him putting up a shield between us. Yet when he touched me, it disappeared. It was like our bodies couldn’t lie to each other about our emotions, but our heads kept trying to pull away.

I leave him sleeping on top of the covers and place a kiss on his lips. I stare at him. Without a doubt, I am in love with this man. It hurts how much I love him. I wish I could fight his demons for him.

At home, my father is sitting in the living room as I enter. “Where have you been?” he asks.

“Lori’s.” The lie slides out effortlessly.

“I’ve decided to put you on as counsel for Marco’s case. It will help you two form a friendship. I understand the arranged marriage was not something you wanted, but it’s something you need to embrace. You must make an effort. Without friendship, marriage can be the longest life sentence you do.”

“Is that why so many men are willing to take the fall?”

My father chuckles. “Perhaps.” He keeps staring at me, causing me to fidget. “Goodnight, daughter.” He stands, placing a kiss on my forehead before he goes upstairs.

CHAPTER 28

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