By Fate I Conquer (Sins of the Fathers #4)(10)

Matteo clucked his tongue. “Your dad and I had enough blood left in our horny brains to pick only outsiders to fuck.”

Dad shoved me away and punched another locker, leaving a dent, before he faced Matteo. “I can’t even look at him. I really want to kill him.”

“I had sex with her, consensual. I didn’t push her to have sex, so stop overreacting.”

Dad was on me before I knew what was going on. I blamed my lowered guards around my family. With anyone else I wouldn’t have been caught off guard. He thrust me against the locker. The back of my head smashed against the metal, making my ears ring.

My muscles tautened, wanting to retribute like I was used to, but I forced down my body’s overwhelming need to act. This was my father and Capo.

Dad’s eyes looked unhinged. “If you’d raped her, we would have a very different conversation, son.”

I kept my mouth shut. My sister Marcella always accused me of being rash but I knew when to stay silent, at least sometimes.

“She’s an honorable Italian woman, the daughter of one of my Captains, and you fucking take her virginity.”

“Fucking indeed.” I countered. “Trust me, she didn’t act honorable at all. And the way she threw herself at me, I really wouldn’t call it taking. She practically begged me to relieve her of that burden.”

Dad glanced at Matteo, and motioned him to take his place. Matteo stepped forward and took Dad’s place who turned his back to me.

“Have you had too many hits to the head over the years, or are you playing dumb on purpose?” Matteo asked with a harsh smile.

Dad’s shoulder muscles flexed under his white T-shirt and his hands were balled into fists.

“Her family isn’t amused in the slightest. The girl definitely made it sound as if you promised her the world and she practically couldn’t say no.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s bullshit. I didn’t promise her anything.” She’d simpered about how she’d love to see me again and how our families would be so great together. I’d ignored her words and showed her how to suck dick properly so she’d shut the fuck up.

“Why did you do it?” Dad asked in a very low voice, turning to me once more. Mom’s expression would have reflected disappointment in such a case but Dad was furious.

“It was to prove a point.”

“And what point would that be?”

“That she had no right to judge Marci. She called her a slut.”

“You acted like a fucking idiot. You should have thought about the consequences,” Matteo muttered.

“Give her father money and more soldiers, I’m sure he’ll take it gladly.”

Matteo chuckled. Dad didn’t look amused and his answering smile was predatory. “There’s only one thing he’ll accept as compensation. Marriage.”

It took a moment for me to understand what Dad meant. I laughed. “Right.”

Dad shook his head as if he didn’t know me. “This isn’t a joke. I told him I’d consider a marriage between you and Cressida.”

My face fell. “You can’t be serious. No way in hell am I going to marry that bitch.”

Dad hit the locker again. It was the third one he’d dented so badly, I doubted anyone would get their stuff out of it ever again. “The Antonacis are well connected among the Traditionalists. I abolished the goddamn bloody sheets which caused an uproar and almost a revolt. Do you realize what would happen if I allowed you to dishonor a Captain’s daughter without you putting a ring on her finger?”

“So what? We’ll make a bloody statement and force them to follow our command. We’re Vitiellos, we don’t bow to anyone’s whims.”

“You want me to kill loyal men, the core of our Famiglia, because you couldn’t keep it in your pants? I’ve been way too lenient with you. For once you’ll have to carry the burden of your actions.”

I had underestimated Cressida and her ambition. I’d wanted to make her eat her words. But she’d turned things around, and now I was stuck with her.

“There has to be a way around it,” I muttered.

Dad took a deep breath, running his hand through his dark hair. “The Traditionalists feel cheated as it is. Marcella’s bond with a biker, the bloody sheets, and our bond with the Camorra, they were a lot to stomach for them. This would be the tipping point. I won’t weaken the Famiglia with a bloody statement only because you can’t stand your future bride. Cressida will be your wife. You have years to get used to the idea, and you fucking will, or I swear you’ll feel my full wrath.”

I glowered at my father. “Yes, Capo.”




On our way home, we didn’t speak. I was trying to figure a way out of the mess. Like Dad had said, I still had years before I had to marry. Until then I’d have to find a fucking solution out of this. The idea of being with Cressida for the rest of my life was too harsh a punishment for a few lousy fucks.

When we entered our mansion in the Upper East Side, Mom was in the living room with Valerio, helping him with his homework. One look at her face told me she knew what was going on.

Dad motioned at Valerio to leave. He grumbled but obeyed. “You’re in big trouble,” he muttered as he passed me.

Thanks for the heads up… I tried to ruffle his unruly blond hair but he dodged the attempt. His reflexes were getting better.