“I’m fine,” I told him. Enzo’s hand tightened on my arm.
Not missing the possessive hold Enzo had on me, my father’s hazel eyes grew cold. “I’m glad you haven’t been…harmed.”
Although the words were spoken like a concerned father, I heard the undertone of truth. My stomach twisted, and I averted my eyes to look more closely at his men. My blood froze when I met the eyes of the man sitting to his right. He wasn’t one of my father’s soldiers. He was his doctor. The same doctor who’d been periodically examining me for years to ensure my father that my virginity remained intact.
Why did he bring himhere?
“Your daughter has not been harmed while under my care. You have my word. She was treated only as a respected guest.”
Ciro leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together over his stomach as he once again made it a point to notice Enzo’s hand on my arm. “I do wonder, Luca, why it took you so long to set up this meeting when—from what your father, Luigi, told me—Fina was found and brought to your home nearly a week ago.”
His tone was underlaid with a challenge, but Luca only said, “I was tied up for a few days with business matters. I’m sure you understand.” Luca’s blue eyes glinted with a challenge of their own.
An undercurrent of tension came over the table, until my father smiled and said, “Of course. These things happen. I’m grateful to Luigi for letting me know my Fina was alive and well until we could arrange this meeting, and if there is anything I can do to show my gratitude, you only need ask.”
My nerves were on edge as they finished up with the formalities and I waited to see what kind of deal Luca would offer my father for my freedom. Would he threaten his business if he didn’t let me go? His life? I looked at the man who had raised me for most of my life and felt nothing. Well, almost nothing. He was still my flesh and blood, and I truly hoped his wouldn’t be spilled here today.
I was pulled violently from my thoughts when Luca spoke. “I would like your loyalty, Ciro.”
My father unlaced his fingers and spread his hands apart. “And you have it. Your father has been a friend of mine for many years.”
That was something I hadn’t known. Luca glanced at me, and I could only return his look of surprise.
“Not my father,” Luca told him. “To me.”
The room went completely silent as the true meaning of what Luca was saying became clear. But just in case there was any confusion, Luca clarified, “My father is no longer fit to hold the position he does within the family. I will be taking over that position as soon as I have the full support of the family. Not only here in Austin, but in the surrounding areas. Do I have that support from you, Ciro?”
The blood drained from my face as I finally understood what was happening. Luca was going to give me back to my father. And in return, he wanted my father’s sworn loyalty to him and only him.
CHAPTER20
Serafina
Holy shit.
I started to shake my head, pushing back on my chair to get up. To leave. But Enzo’s hand left my arm and gripped the back of my neck like a steel vice so not only couldn’t I get up from the table, but I also couldn’t look at him.
I pushed down the panic and tried to think. If Luigi and my father were such long friends, perhaps he wouldn’t go for the deal. It wouldn’t surprise me. I spoke up. “Daddy, you don’t have to do this. I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself.”
His attention remained on Luca as though I hadn’t even spoken, and I could practically see the wheels turning in his brain. Friend or no, my father wanted to be on the winning side. His loyalty easily bought or sold. And his next words proved me right.
“And the rest of the family approves of this? How many do you have on your side?”
“Enough,” Luca told him. “But it would be careless of me to get cocky. And one thing I never am is careless. I also know my father won’t give up his throne easily, and I would like to feel confident about who is on my side and who is not.”
Ever one for dramatics, my father made a show of thinking about Luca’s offer. Luca allowed him his moment with an air of patience I didn’t share.
Finally, my father shifted his eyes over to me. They traveled over my hair, and I could see the disapproval before they made their way to my face, then lower, to where Enzo held the back of my neck in a death grip. He turned back to Luca. “I will need to know that my daughter has not been raped while in your care. Her virginity must be intact, or she is worthless to me.”
I nearly laughed hearing him say the words out loud, even as I blinked back tears.
But Luca wasn’t fazed. “I can assure you, she has been treated with nothing but respect.”
“I would like to take your word for it, Luca, but she was also on her own for weeks before she was found. Who knows what could have happened to her?” His eyes went to my hair again. “Luigi told me she was working in a club much like this one.”
“I wasn’t stripping,” I burst out. “Jesus, Daddy.”
His hand slammed down on the table, and I jumped. “You do not speak to your father like that.”
