Page 84 of Cruelest Vow

“While I prefer my given name, I will honor my adoptive father with the use of his,” D’Artagnan threw back. “However, it’s in our best interest to work together to eliminate our real enemy. Don’t you agree?” He leaned against the bar, crossing his feet at his ankles and casually taking a sip of the drink in his hand.

I could easily tell he was studying all four men, keeping an eye on their hands.

“A meeting will be set up with the current Five Families. It’s a necessity so we’re able have a unified front in dealing with Grigori Volkov.”

“Agreed,” my father said through gritted teeth.

Antonio and his father looked at each other.

“Giuseppe, as the current Don of the Romano family, your presence will also be required. If you are in disagreement, then your territory will be forfeited.” D’Artagnan made the statement casually, as if there’d be no method of them being able to say no.

Spitting angry, Giuseppe once again reached for his weapon, stopped surprisingly by his son. “Non prenderai mai il mio territorio!” You will never take my territory!

“It won’t be up to you, Romano. I suggest you understand that we’re fighting the same enemy. Or are we?”

I was fascinated by how calm and collected Dar seemed, his eyes sparking from the hunger for power, but there was also amusement in them. No one understood all that he’d been through to get where he was today. I couldn’t be prouder.

Or more terrified for him as well.

Giuseppe glared at the man. “You are not a member of the Five Families.”

“As the heir to the throne of the DeLuca Empire, you will make a vow of fealty to me as will you, Roberto Lazarro, or I will have my soldiers begin an overthrow of your territories.” Dar acted as if he had all the time in the world, enjoying his drink.

Giuseppe snarled, then bowed his head. Whether or not it was a show and nothing more didn’t matter at this point. Vowing his loyalty in front of so many soldiers would send a ripple effect throughout the five territories.

“We will not honor that pledge,” Antonio snapped.

Giuseppe threw out his arm, barely glancing at his son. “There is need for new blood within theFamiglia. If you will promise to honor all contracts and protect my men if a war ensues, then I will issue that vow.”

“Like hell you will.”

“Shut up!” Giuseppe yelled at his son. “We will lose hundreds of men if we do not do this.”

“I will make the promise, Don Romano,” D’Artagnan said, giving him a nod in return.

While politics were necessary within the Five Families, the promises made were only good as long as strength was shown. On this day, Dar had the upper hand.

“Then I give you my vow of fealty. For now.”

“Understood, Don Romano.”

“This is bullshit!” Enzo exploded, once against raising his weapon.

For some reason, my father became unhinged. I could see it in his eyes seconds before he grabbed my wrist, dragging me to the floor and placing his weapon against my forehead. My purse was pitched from my hand, no chance of retrieving my weapon. Even my brother seemed shocked.

Raphaelo snarled, immediately coming forward, his weapon leveled at my father’s chest.

“You attempt to destroy my world all because of your love for this woman?” I’d never seen such a horrible look in my father’s eyes. It was as if he didn’t know me.

D’Artagnan moved forward, tossing his glass against the wall. “Let her go. Now.”

The moment of silence was stifling, the only sound that of my thumping heart. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my father would kill his own daughter in order to maintain his power, his money, and his influence.

“Don’t do it, Pops. There’s another way,” Enzo said quietly.

“Put down the weapon. Now!” Dar snapped. Then he moved closer, flanking my father’s side. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

“I have no regrets. None.” My father’s eyes were wild and for the first time I could see terrible sadness in them.

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