“I don’t care what it is. The answer’s no.” He doesn’t spare me a glance. Just inhales that disgusting cigar and keeps his eyes on the laptop, already done with me before I’ve finished speaking.
“But I won’t be alone. My dogs will be running after me, making sure no one will even glance at me.”
Dad lets out a long exhale, making me wonder for how long he’d been keeping it in. He drives his fingers into his eyes and rubs them as if contemplating, but I know he isn’t. He’s realized he’s run out of excuses.
We came to America a few years ago to take over the underworld here, too. He already had everything locked down inItaly, so he dragged me to this pit I never wanted to be in. I didn’t have a choice. Now he’s one of LA’s most feared and prosperous businessmen, and no one dares cross him.
To the outside world, he’s Fabio Calvano—the ruthless mafia emperor, running the entire US underworld. To me, he’s just my father. A man who’s never looked twice in my direction. He never cared for me, and frankly, he never even pretended to. Sad but true, and I’ve stopped hoping it’ll ever change.
I was seven when I finally understood what he was. He looked at me like I’d just walked into the room for the first time in my life.“Your eyes are blue?”That’s what he said. Seven years of being his daughter, and that was all he noticed. That was the moment I stopped expecting anything from him.
“Go to your room,” he says sternly, driving his cigar between his lips.Ew!“And close the door on your way out.”
My jaw tightens. I feel more defeated than I ever have. What did I expect?
I turn my back and head to my room upstairs, the door flanked by my bodyguards. I have no idea why, since they’re paid to watchmeand not a damn room. But who am I to judge?
“Going somewhere?” Wes, my personal bodyguard asks, raising his thick brow.
“To my room. May I?” I say sarcastically, smiling broadly.
He takes a step closer, towering over me, but I stay still. I’m not afraid of him—I know he won’t hurt me. Not unless he wants to lose his head. “Cut the sarcasm, princess.”
I cross my arms, take a step closer, and raise my eyes to meet his. “Cut the tough-guy attitude to me, Wes,” I hiss, confident he won’t continue it. “You’re nothing but my father’s pawn. Just like me.”
Colton gives him a side glance, indicating to back off, and shakes his head. Wes’s expression shifts into a smirk, sharp against his dark skin. He steps back and opens the door for me.
“Thank you!” I chirp, faking it the most I ever have.
I try to close the door, but Wes holds it in place, peering at me with his honey eyes, the eagle tattoo on the back of his hand stretching as his fingers tighten around the edge. “You might be a pawn. So am I. The difference is I’m the one who removes the others.”
I huff out a quiet chuckle. “Let’s see what the king and queen think of that. If I fall, you won’t last long.”
His jaw tightens.
Colton grabs Wes’s hand and removes it from my bedroom door. “Have a good night, Miss Calvano,” he says, closing it.
Colton is the nicest of my father’s men. His behavior isn’t random—he has a wife and a young daughter he supports back in Brazil, sending them money whenever he can. He sent them back to her country to make sure she stays away from his—my father’s—dirty business.
Some women have princes to take care of them, while I’m stuck with the asshole bodyguard who thinks he has the upper hand.
I wasn’t always this bold and defiant, especially with them. But I figured, what can they really do to me? I have to stand my ground and show some spine.
My eyes dart around my room. This huge room, filled with things I don’t care or need. Filled with my father’s dirty money and empty promises, trying to make me feel I’m normal. People say money doesn’t bring happiness, and I’m the first to back that up.
The easel stands empty in the corner of my room, charcoal dust scattered around its legs. A broken piece must’ve fallen when I slammed the door. I can’t remember the last time I drew. It used to feel like air in my lungs, but it doesn’t fill me anymore. Now it’s just another weight in my chest.
I want to go out. I’ve made up my mind, and nothing’s going to stop me. I don’t know if I can actually escape this fortress, but it’s worth a try.
I look at myself in the mirror above my white boudoir and decide to stay as I am. Besides, simple clothes will make it easier to slip away, right? So I keep my loose jeans and black fitted sweater, and just throw on my black leather jacket.
The purple orchid on the edge of the furniture looks ready to shed some of its beautiful flowers. It’s the second time it’s bloomed; rare for this kind of plant. But I’ve managed to keep it alive and interesting. Like me.
I need to make sure that no one will enter my room, so I walk up to the door and open it slightly, sneaking just my head out, drawing Colton’s eyes on me. Wes doesn’t even bother. Typical asshole.
“I’m going to sleep,” I say, my eyes on Colton.
“Have a good night, Miss Calvano,” he replies with a genuine smile, his brown eyes shining. This man is too good to be a bodyguard.
