Page 108 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

Bennett sat up straighter.

“You what?”

“From now on, you will answer to me. I will keep you in business. Let’s not forget who owns the land you use for your little drug trade. You can maintain the illusion with Gennaro, but everything goes through me. I will make sure you are very well compensated for your trouble, protect your assets and guarantee his wrath does not fall on your head.” I leant forward in my seat, maintaining eye contact with him. “My father thinks I’m loyal because I let Arianna come home to you, but that’s far from the case. He has no idea of the lengths I’ll go to keep her by my side.”

Bennett’s brows knitted together.

“I’m sure you disapprove of my relationship with her, but I know you want your daughter to be happy. I intend to do everything in my power to give her the life she deserves. She will want for nothing and will be free to do whatever she pleases. I’m not going to keep her in a gilded cage like the rest of my family do to their women. That’s not who I am.”

Ari’s hand shook in mine. I glanced at her face, finding those beautiful eyes full of emotions. I would give her the world if she asked it of me. She deserved it all.

My attention went back to her father because I needed to finish this.

“Don’t make the same mistake as my father by underestimating me. There are two options in front of you, Bennett. You continue to ally yourself with a man who will stab you in the back if it suits him or you stand with me and your daughter. I assure you, I’m not a man you want to fuck with.”

For a long moment, Bennett said nothing. I sat back, letting go of Ari’s hand, only to wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. She didn’t resist, allowing me to show her affection in front of her father.

Bennett stood up and paced away. He stopped by the kitchen sink and stared out into the back garden.

“Ari’s the only fam I have left. She deserves better than what I can give her.” He shook his head, placing his hands on the counter. “Justin betrayed me. Betrayed her. I put my trust in him and that pussy’ole didn’t fucking deserve it.” He paused, his fingers gripping the counter harder. “I didn’t protect her, but you did. I owe man big fucking time for that, you feel me? I owe man for keeping my girl safe.”

“Is that a yes, then?”

“We got shit to work out, but yeah, it’s a deal.”

Bennett came back over to the table and sat down. Ari got up to make tea while I spoke to her father about how shit would be going forward. My queen deserved to know how I would treat her father. So she’d know I wouldn’t fuck him over. It wasn’t about the money for me. It was about making sure her father survived this battle between me and Gennaro.

Arlo looked at me when we were done and I knew it was time we left. As much as I hated having to walk away from Ari right now, I needed to be at the club soon. I’d come for her when I could. Bring her home. She belonged with me inourhome. I didn’t see it solely as mine any longer.

Ari saw us to the door. Arlo hung back so I could have a moment with her. Ari wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in it.

“I hate being away from you.”

“I know, Tink. It’s not for long. I promise.”

If I brought her home now, Gennaro would know. I could only spend time with her when I could slip by his fucking watchers. Arlo had made it possible today, but we had to be careful.

I dug my hand into her hair, pulling her head back so I could kiss her. She trembled in my hold, clearly trying to keep her emotions in check. It didn’t make me feel good about having to walk out of here, but Ari knew what was at stake. She knew what we were fighting for.

When I let her go, she stared up at me with sadness in her eyes. She took hold of my hand and pressed it against her cheek.

“I love you.”

Leaning closer, I kissed her forehead. My chest ached with her words. It made leaving her that much harder.

“I’ll see you soon, my sweet little fairy. Stay strong for me, okay?”

“Yes, daddy,” she whispered. “I promise I will.”

“Good girl.”

Arlo and I left her on the doorstep, watching us walk away down the street.

“I take it she said yes to your plans.”

I looked over at him.

“Did you think she wouldn’t?”

---