“You’ll face plenty of backlash for being with someone like him. The press, the other women, our circle overall, they won’t take it kindly. I’ll try my best to keep the rumors down, but even my power has its limits when it comes to a scandal of this enormity.”
“I can handle it. People will badmouth me either way. I know what people will say. Many will gloat when they see my ear and tattoo. I won’t allow them to make me feel bad.”
Dad’s expression was murderous. “If I catch anyone gloating, they won’t see the next day.”
“It’s time for me to protect myself. At the mayor’s party, I’ll show them all that I don’t care about their opinion.”
Dad touched my cheek. “You are so much stronger than I thought, but I’ll always try to protect you as long as I live.”
“I know, Dad, but you don’t have to protect me from Maddox.”
Dad still didn’t look convinced.
“You have to trust me in this. And promise you won’t ever do anything that could lead to Maddox’s death.”
“That’s a promise I can’t give. If he cooperates with us, every mission he goes on could pose a threat to his life.”
I gave him an annoyed look. “That’s not what I mean. Don’t try to have Maddox killed. You’re hurting me by doing this.”
Dad sighed. “I always wanted you to grow into a strong-willed woman. If I’d known this would be the end result, I might have reconsidered.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You called me Marcella for a reason.”
Dad kissed my forehead with another sigh. “You’re right, but no matter how strong of a woman you’ve become, you’ll always be my little girl and I’ll kill anyone who hurts you.”
I raised an eyebrow expectantly.
“But I promise not to have Maddox killed in any way again—unless he does anything to hurt you.”
I knew I wouldn’t get a better promise out of Dad and so I nodded.
“Maddox and I need to spend time together to get past what happened,” I began but Dad interrupted me.
“I don’t want you alone with him.”
“I was allowed to be alone with Giovanni, even though we weren’t married yet.”
“Because he was trustworthy.”
“You mean scared of you.”
“Maddox doesn’t care about our values.”
“You mean you’re worried he’ll ruin my chances of presenting bloody sheets,” I said bitterly.
Dad gave me a look. “You don’t have to lie to me. Maybe I try to ignore you growing up, but I’m not blind.”
I swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“You can’t be Capo without reading people. I see how you and he look at each other,” Dad said.
“Oh,” I whispered, my cheeks heating. “Are you disappointed?”
Dad sighed, sinking down on the edge of the desk to be eye level with me. “Princess, I overruled the bloody sheets tradition for you, but I can’t deny it, if it were up to me, you would have gone to a nunnery.”
I laughed. “Dad…”
His expression became solemn. “A father wants to protect his daughter from harm. I hoped you’d find a man who’d treat you right. Not your kidnapper.”
I really didn’t want to talk about sex with my father, but I didn’t want this burden to rest on his shoulders as well. “Maddox is that man. He never treated me badly, Dad. I’m not lying, all right?”
He nodded but I could tell he was still doubtful.
“Mom said you named me Marcella after your grandmother because you wanted me to be as strong as the goddess of war. You never wanted me to bow to a man, to be forced into a marriage. I chose Maddox. Let it be my choice whom I love. Let it be my choice whom I marry.”
“Your mother said the same to me. Why are you girls making my life so difficult?”
I leaned against him. “Allow me to see Maddox at his place and to visit me at home.”
“Not alone,” Dad said in a steely voice. “I want Amo or Matteo to accompany you. Once Maddox has proven himself, he can come over to our house and then later you might be allowed to visit him alone as well.”
I nodded grudgingly, knowing when to retreat—for the moment. Mom and I would eventually convince him anyway. If Maddox could win Mom’s heart.
“I really hope you find the happiness you deserve with Maddox. If he’s really willing to give up the freedom and lifestyle that comes with MC life for you, then I might one day accept him.”
“And stop wanting him dead,” I said. “Is there any chance you’re going to apologize to Maddox?”
Dad’s expression became stone.
“All right. It was worth a try.”
The voices outside grew in volume. Dad stalked toward the door and I followed him. Maddox and Amo were caught up in an argument and grappling.
“Enough!” I shouted.
Maddox and Amo glanced my way, then at Dad, and took a step away from each other. “What’s going on here?” I asked.
Amo rubbed his forehead with a furious look but didn’t say anything. I glanced at Maddox. “Just clearing up a few things.”
I let out a frustrated groan. “Can’t you just try to get along for me?”
“You’re asking a lot,” Matteo said. “That we’re even in the same room together with our bowels safely stowed inside our bodies shows you how much we care about you.”
One of Maddox’s head wounds had burst open again and was dripping blood down his forehead. I walked over to him. “Let me see.”
I pulled his head down and inspected the cut. It wasn’t very deep. “You should get stitches.”
“It’ll heal by itself. I don’t go to doctors.”
“I could do it,” Matteo said with a shrug.
Maddox grimaced. “Yeah, right. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I want any of you near my head with a needle.”
I gave him a look. I didn’t want them to start provoking each other again. “All right,” I said. “I think we need to discuss how Maddox and I can work together.”
“Maddox will work with Matteo or trusted soldiers, not with you. I want you to lay low for a while until you’ve really gotten over the kidnapping.”
Marcella’s expression became frosty. Vitiello really couldn’t stop coddling her.
“Dad,” Marcella said impatiently. “I don’t need to get over anything, and even if I did, it would help me if I could make sure the men who worked for Earl are eliminated. Hiding at home won’t make me feel better in any way. And it won’t improve my standing among our men if you treat me like I can’t take care of myself. You have to trust me if you want your men to take me seriously.”
“I trust you and my men will eventually see how clever you are, but it’s crucial that they don’t resent us for working with a White. That’s why we have to introduce our cooperation slowly.” Vitiello looked my way. “And first I need you to tell me everything about the men you talked to in the last few days. They’re in my territory and thus pose a threat.”
“The men my brother’s with aren’t a threat. They were never in favor of the kidnapping and turned Nomad before it went down.”