Page 76 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“Did. Dad. Know?” I gritted through my teeth.

My mother and I locked gazes, the battle of wills we never had finally happening.

Then she took a deep breath in and exhaled in resignation.

“Yes.” Taken aback, I stared at her in shock. It wasn’t what I expected. “Thomas knew you weren’t biologically his. We struggled getting pregnant and years of fertility treatments and miscarriages took a toll. Years of trying wore us down. Your Grandma Gladys passed away, and I came back home alone for the funeral. I ran into Jack. One thing led to another and we-”

I waved my hand in dismissal and to stop her from detailing their sexual encounter. Because ewww.

“Okay, I don’t need the gruesome details.” I stood up from my spot and started pacing back and forth. All these years, I was completely clueless. No wonder Jack welcomed me into his family with open arms. “Jesus, this is so fucked up.”

“Honey, please try to understand.”

I stopped my pacing and glared at her.

“Understand what?” I uttered back angrily. “That you decided to have someone else’s kid.” My eyes went to Jack. “And you were fine with it? Having someone else raise your kid? I honestly don’t remember ever seeing you until you started dating Mom.”

Jack remained numb, refusing to answer.

“He didn’t know,” my mom whispered. “Until you were about fourteen.”

I frowned. Fourteen. That year was a blur. I could barely remember any of it. The pain in my temple increased, and I pinched the top of my nose to ease it. It wasn’t time for a headache.

I walked over to the window of Jack’s office that looked out onto the entrance of the house. I could see a line of cars with people pulling up. Jack’s hand selected associates. For the engagement party. It was supposed to be Margaret and Cassio’s announcement. I wondered if it even mattered to him who he married. And how in the hell did he know I was Jack’s biological daughter? Did everyone know except for me? I wished Margaret would have told me about her pregnancy, maybe we could have done something. I would have been more prepared.

“Hell will freeze over before I’ll marry any member of the King family,” I finally said, turning around to face my audience. “And this damn love triangle with Dad…” Shit, which Dad? “Jack and Dad,” I corrected myself, “...is beyond messed up.” I glared at Jack and my mom, then shook my head again. “So fucking messed up.”

“Baby, it wasn’t like we planned to get pregnant.”

“Honestly, Mom, I don’t think I can stomach this right now. I haven’t eaten lunch and this revelation just kind of soured my mood.”

I went to leave when Jack’s voice stopped me.

“Unless you agree to take Margaret’s place,” Jack said in a strained voice, “we’ll be forced to break the agreement and me go back on my word. It will be the first time I have done that in my life, but for you, I will.”

His words made me stop and my hand faltered before reaching for the doorknob.

I raised my eyes to the ceiling.Way to make me feel shitty.

I knew enough to understand breaking your word in Jack’s world could mean death. Jesus, he was my father. Even before I knew that, I’d never want him dead and would do anything to save him. Of course, I wouldn’t want him in trouble for me. Though theoretically he managed to make this mess.

Today was not a good day.

I slowly turned around and met four sets of eyes. I could see anguish in Mom’s and worry in Jack’s. I just wished I could read Cassio better. Strangely, Luca seemed amused but Cassio… I just couldn’t get a single emotion out of his dark eyes.

Careful what you wish for, right? Just seconds before I found out this man was Cassio King, I almost volunteered to take Margaret’s spot. And now… well, now everything went to fucking hell.

“Now what?” I bit out, facing my parents and the Kings.The Kings,I scoffed to myself.How appropriate?They sat there and even though they were in Jack’s home, they portrayed power and dominance.

I weighed my options, but there weren’t that many. If I said no, Jack would be in trouble. Mom too. Marriage never crossed my mind. I was still too young and had previously had issues in the physical department. The thought of marriage and any physical closeness that came along with it had sent terror down my spine.

But with this man, my body just responded. In the best way possible and butterflies worked overtime. So okay… from that aspect, I was on board with marital activities. There was no doubt he’d expect me to sleep with him. Men like that just didn’t take no for an answer. Not that a fiber of my body wanted to say no to him. Even now, a tingling sensation inched all over my skin.

I peered Cassio’s way under my lashes. He was still my enemy. The secret business I inherited from my father… crap, I guess he wasn’t my biological father. I couldn’t think about that right now! But I could get useful information if I was connected to the Kings. It was one way to bring them down. For the past five years, all we managed was intercepting some of their shipments and almost killing ourselves in the process.

Maybe I’d just play along until I brought them all down. And what better way than to do it from the inside. There was no way in hell I’d sit back and do nothing while the Kings profited from smuggling women and forcing them into sex slaves. Besides, they had to pay for killing my father.

And at the same time get laid, my pussy screamed. I shook my head with disbelief. Something was seriously wrong with my priorities.

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