“What?” He looks annoyed.
“No more hitting or maltreating your daughters. You will start treating them like human beings.”
His lips thin. “You can't tell me how to run my family.”
“Do you need my help or not?”
Massimo clenches his jaw so hard I hear his teeth grind. But he nods. “Fine,” he agrees through gritted teeth.
I stand up slowly, buttoning my jacket.
“Good. We'll keep in touch.”
“I want to see my daughters.”
I don’t blink. “They don’t want to see you.”
His face twists with anger. “You cannot keep them from me! They are my blood!”
“They’re adults,” I reply coldly. “If they say they don’t want to see their father, then that’s their choice. I’ll speak with Eleonora and Sienna. If they want to see your sorry face, I’ll arrange a meeting. If they don’t, you will respect their decision.”
Massimo slams his hand on the table. “This is how our alliance begins? You keeping me away from my own daughters?”
I lean forward, voice dropping to a dangerous calm. “Push me on this, and we’ll have bigger problems than the Gallos.”
He glares at me, but he knows he’s cornered. Eventually, he gives a stiff nod.
Without another word I walk out, Marco and my men right behind me.
The drive home feels longer than usual. I can't wait to get back to Eleonora. These past few days have been hell for her.
Last night was the first time she managed to sleep for more than a few hours. I stayed sitting up against the headboard, holding her after a nightmare.
My neck and back are currently paying for it, but I don’t care. If breaking my spine is what it takes for her to get even one good night of sleep, I’ll do it gladly.
I need to get her help. A therapist. Someone discreet who understands our world. She needs to talk to someone.
When I finally walk into our bedroom, it’s already getting late. Eleonora is standing in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, getting ready for dinner.
The moment she sees me, her face lights up. She crosses the room quickly and throws herself into my arms.
I catch her, wrapping her up tight, breathing her in as I kiss the top of her head.
“Hey,” I murmur against her hair. “Missed you.”
“Missed you too.” She pulls back just enough to look at me. “How did the meeting go?”
“He agreed to the marriage. We’re forming an alliance with your father’s side.”
A smile spreads across her face. “That's good news.”
“Yeah… he's asking to see you and Sienna.”
She tenses slightly in my arms, but nods. “Yeah… I figured he would.”
“If you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to,” I tell her firmly. “He can’t force you. But if you want to see your sisters, I’ll make sure he brings them.”
She relaxes a little. “I need to see them. I have to know they’re really okay.”
