Page 6 of Mafia Daddy

When she speaks, her voice is solemn and the earlier spark is gone. She’s blinking back tears. "We have to go back now. My father calls for me. There's a family dinner, and I have to be there."

The disappointment is clear in her voice. Seeing her unhappy makes me want to punch Benicio. I don’t feel anything for the old man—not gratitude for sure. Whatever I have now, I worked hard for it. He has never given me shit. Not surprising since he does the same with his own daughter.

I know that family is important to Cara, so I say nothing and simply nod as we both get ready.

Silence is thick on the drive back as we make our way to her father's home.

I can’t take it anymore so I turn my head and ask Cara, "Why is your father calling you suddenly?"

Her voice is laced with a hint of desperation, and she’s biting her bottom lip to stop her tears from falling. "My brother just came back home for my wedding. Father is celebrating his return and wants all of the family there for dinner."

Porca miseria!Motherfucker.

Most familias are ruthless when it comes to the business but they always put their members first. Benicio is a different breed and of the worst kind. Ignoring your daughter’s existence is one thing, but selling her off to the highest bidder? That’s another level of fuck-up.

As we drive towards her family's home, the word "wedding" keeps ringing in my head like a siren's wail. I had known about it, of course, but the reality of the situation hits me afresh like a ton of bricks. Cara is engaged, and that shit-face Lucas is waiting for her at home. The thoughts make me furious, and I clench the steering wheel so hard that my knuckles turn white.

We arrive at her family's house in good time. We walk towards the door, and Cara explains the situation to me. Her father hadn't even bothered to meet with her when she returned home after five long years, but now her brother's return is cause for celebration. Benicio expects everyone to show up, including Lucas.

He may be as big as me, but he’s no match. It won’t be a fair fight. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to pummel his face to the ground.

Cara squeezes my hand gently and says, "I can’t marry Lucas. I just can’t. I thought about it all night, and I can’t imagine spending my life with him. I'll talk to my father to end this engagement, but you have to promise me one thing. You can't make a scene at the family dinner."

Trying to hide my surprise, I nod. She’s willing to stand up to her father and end it with Lucas? They won’t take it well, but I appreciate her taking a risk. I like to think it’s not just for her but also for us, even if we haven’t even really talked about “us” yet.

"I'll try to keep calm," I say, genuinely hoping I can live up to my promise.

The dining hall is decorated, and the massive table is already set. Benicio sits at the head of the dining table, with her brother Lucio on his right side.

Across from them sits Lucas. Blood roars in my ears just watching him. He looks up to watch Cara and licks his spoon. If his aim is to seduce her, he’s doing a great job at accomplishing the opposite.

Che palle!

Deep down, I know it’s futile for Cara to ask Benicio to cancel the wedding. It will cost him. Lucas is as disgusting as they come, but he’s loaded.

Benicio isn’t marrying Cara off for love. He wants her to marry into a powerful family that can turn her black money into white and rake in immense profits. Lucas checks off his list. Rich. Powerful. Influential. He smells like wet cigarette but hey, that’s insignificant to Benicio. Old man doesn’t care about Lucas’s filth smearing his daughter. Lucas can’t even fight for her or defend her when shit goes sideways.

As Cara approaches the table to greet everyone, Lucas interrupts her. "Cara, sit next to me. I want to talk to you," he says, his voice filled with arrogance.

Cara tries to politely decline, saying she wants to sit next to her brother, but her father cuts her off mid-sentence. "Go sit next to Lucas," he demands firmly, his tone leaving no room for further argument.

Cara's face falls, and she walks over to sit next to Lucas, who has a nasty smirk on his face. Rearranging his face won’t take me ten minutes. I won’t even break a sweat.

Doesn’t mean I won’t be on the verge of exploding as I watch her sit next to him. I want to rush over and bash his head in, but I know I have to keep the promise I made to Cara.

It takes all my willpower to stay put, to not let my rage consume me again. I know Cara has asked me to keep calm, but seeing her sit next to the smug, arrogantstronzomakes me want to erupt violently.

Cara looks over at me, and something in her eyes calms me down. There’s fear and worry in her expression, and I rein in my anger. Anything for her. Anything for my girl.

I don’t know when I started thinking of her as mine, but she is. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s spending the rest of her life with me. Me. Not Lucas. Not anyone else. How I’ll accomplish that, I have no idea. Details, details.

She tries to say something, to contribute to the conversation going on about Lucas’ businesses and success, but her words are drowned out by her father's booming voice. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Cara," he says condescendingly. "We know what's best for you."

Cara looks disappointed, and it’s all I can do to keep from speaking up.

Who the fuck do they think they are? They’re only untouchable because of people like me, people who do their dirty work. Without their associates, guards, and soldiers, they are nothing but weak, pathetic men. Men who will crumble in front of me if I make it my personal mission to make their lives living hell.

The conversation continues, and I see Cara withdraw more and more into herself. It’s clear she doesn't want to be there, doesn't want to be a part of this charade, and who could blame her? They treat her like shit. Which is funny. Because Lucas himself looks like shit. What I’d do to step on him and enjoy every moment. Every. Fucking. Moment.

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