Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
June’s going through a lot. I understand her anger and confusion. I can’t even blame her for hating me right now.
She didn’t ask for this marriage.
Though I didn’t either.
Taking a wife was never my plan. I wanted to grow old and pass control of the family over to one of my younger brothers or one of their children. After what happened, I never dreamed I’d bring life into this world.
I don’t create. I’ve only ever destroyed.
But now my daughter’s here, living under the same roof as me for the first time, and it’s strange. I keep thinking about June…
But I also keep obsessing about Hattie.
How am I supposed to be a father?
I raised my brothers, that’s true, but it was different back then.
Our lives were hard. With my parents burned, the remainder of the family was left to me. I wasn’t ready, but fortunately, there were people to help.
Like Ignazio: he’s been the Corvino accountant since I was a baby. He and a few other old-timers stepped up to show me the ropes in those early days.
While I was learning how to be the Don, I was also learning how to take care of my brothers.
Silas wasn’t hard. He’s not too much younger than me. But there are twelve years between me and Devlin, and I think losing our parents hurt him the most.
He grew up in blood and struggle.
While death’s mantle was forced onto my shoulders.
Can I really bring my daughter up like that? She’s a normal girl. A sweet little girl, from what I can tell. Not a part of this life, not a hardened monster like me and the others had to be.
Doesn’t she deserve better than a man that only knows how to hurt?
My thoughts are bleak as I head back to the house.
Soldiers salute as I pass. I nod in return. Nunzio meets me at the door.
“Report.”
He falls in at my side. “Sir, all quiet so far today. Your wife and daughter made their way to the wall—“
“What were they doing that far from the house?”
“Exploring, I believe. I warned them not to do it again.”
“Where are they now?”
“Your daughter is in her room watching shows. Your wife is in your room.”
“Thank you, that will be all.”
“Sir—“ Nunzio pauses at my expression. I don’t like being questioned and I hate when I’m interrupted. When I dismiss an underling, I expect them to be gone. Nunzio clears his throat. “How long will this last, sir?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Babysitting, sir. You know I’m worth more—“
I give him a withering look and he shuts his mouth, jaw tense. I hold his gaze until he lowers his to the floor.
“My wife and my daughter are the most important two things in the world right now. You will protect them with your life. Do you understand?”
“Sir—“
“If you can’t handle this, I’ll make sure to find someone who can.”
“I’ll guard them, sir.”
I stalk away from him. Nunzio is a good lieutenant and a solid captain. I trust him to do his job, but sometimes he doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. I tolerate that side of him, but I’m wondering if I’ll need to reinforce his manners shortly.
I push open the doors into the master suite. For a moment, I think it’s empty until I hear soft cursing from the closet. I drift over and pause in the doorway. A mess, my wife standing among it all looking helpless and lost.
God, I’m struck by how beautiful she is. Even with the clothes strewn around her, hair in a falling-out bun, sweats and a sweatshirt, tired and angry, it’s like she’s perfect.
If I was worried I made the wrong choice, seeing her there blasts away any uncertainty.
“Looking for something?”
She turns, startled, and steps back like I’m toxic.
Which is the right move when confronted with me.
“When did you get there?”
“A second ago. You look flustered.”
“It’s all this stuff.” She gestures around the closet. It’s full of tops, bottoms, dresses, accessories, and more. “Where did it all come from?”
“Stores, mostly.”
“Hilarious. I mean, it’s all in my size.”
“I know. That’s usually the point when you shop for someone.”
“But how—“ She takes a shuddering breath. “This is really freaking me out.”
“When I knew you’d be coming to live with me, I instructed my personal shopper to make sure you had everything you’d need. Did you wonder where your clothes came from last night?”
“They were in Hattie’s room—“ She stops and groans. “You put them there.”
“I had my people do it, but yes.”
“But how did you know my size?”
“A good eye. And I broke into your house to check.”
Her mouth drops open. “You did what?”
“When you were working and Hattie was at school, I photographed most of your closet.”
“Oh my god. Are you joking?”
“You have way too many pairs of leggings. Who needs sixteen?”