Page 107 of The Capo

“Such a bad girl.”

As the rest of the family crowded in, I heard bottles of champagne being popped coming from every direction.

“You’re a fucking lunatic,” Arman said.

“No, he’s a brilliant man,” Louie told him.

“He’s freaking risk taker,” Thomas added.

“Son,” Pops said as he threw out his hand. I hadn’t told him I’d decided to drive after hearing the news that our team would be disqualified at my own racetrack. I wasn’t certain whether hewas furious or not, but at this point I didn’t give a shit. The race had been a once in a lifetime event.

Delaney backed away slightly, giving me space. As soon as I started to shake his hand, he pulled me into a bear hug.

“You are one hell of a man. Not a bad driver either,” my father said with more admiration and respect in his voice than I’d heard in long time.

“Thanks, Pops.”

When he pulled away, he winked. “Now get back to business. We have a corporation to run.”

Business. We’d almost lost so much in the ridiculous raids, the investigation that shouldn’t have happened. I remained bitter at the Key West police, but corruption had been found, the city council doing their part in firing all those involved.

Champagne was suddenly poured over my head and Delaney squealed.

“I can’t believe you pulled that off,” Marty said as he approached.

“You underestimated me,” I said, grinning.

“I’ll say. Good job.”

Something caught my attention and I stiffened, pulling Delaney toward me.

“Daddy,” she whispered, following my gaze. “I can’t believe he’s here.”

Neither could I. The man had been dangerously close to being on his death bed. For a dead man, he looked pretty damn good.

Other than he was obviously pissed.

“Let me handle this,” I told her, looking into her eyes then smiling.

She smiled, glancing toward her father before stepping away. “I love you.”

Her words lingered in my mind as Brandon continued walking in my direction, his eyes locked onto mine.

There was no other noise, no way I could walk away from this one. He was my friend, a man who’d refused to tell anyone how sick he was, determined to go through cancer by himself. When I’d found out he’d gone to Switzerland for a stem cell replacement, I’d done everything in my power to ensure he had the most brilliant doctors at his side, Louie helping me find and secure them. Money had been no object. Yet I hadn’t dared talk to him. What a chicken shit I’d been.

He’d received news that his cancer had returned the day before his daughter had arrived on his doorstep. While he still had a long way to go, at least he’d been allowed to return home for the rest of his treatment.

And whether he liked it or not, his extended family, including my father, Arman, and Louie as his private physician, would all be by his side.

He slowed his gait until he was only a couple of feet away from me, remaining quiet. Very slowly he turned his head toward Delaney, his expression unreadable.

Then he issued a brutal punch, catching me in the jaw.

Gasps came from every direction, the force hard enough I stumbled backwards. When others tried to get in the middle of us, fearful a fight was ensuing, I threw out my arms.

“I deserved that,” I said in a loud voice. And I was prepared to take as many brutal punches as he needed to give me. I owed him that much.

“You fucking didn’t tell me,” Brandon snarled. “I was forced to find it out in the press like everyone else.”

---