By Virtue I Fall (Sins of the Fathers #3)(29)

I parked in front of the mansion then motioned at Leonas to get lost. “Now don’t get caught. You smell like a weed farm.”

Leonas got out of the car and snuck around the house. Dad would see him on the cameras, but I’d deal with my old man in a bit.

I got out of the car. Anna and Luisa were still inside.

I turned my back on them. I wouldn’t let her rile me up again. If she wanted to sleep outside in the car, that was her problem.

I headed for the guardhouse. My job was done here, the girls would find the way through the entrance themselves. Anna appeared in front of me and I almost ran her over. She pressed against me and squeezed my ass, completely catching me by surprise. “What the fuck are you doing?”

I took a step back, my pulse pounding in my chest. Did she even realize how many security cameras might have recorded this? Dad would kill me.

She rolled her eyes. “I only wanted to wish you a good night.”

Her smile was pure trouble.

“Get inside.”

She gave me a wave then headed toward Luisa who waited in the doorway, looking stunned. Why couldn’t I have watched a goody-two-shoes like her?

Gritting my teeth, I stepped into the guardhouse. As expected, Dad sat in front of the monitors. Luckily his focus was on the monitor that showed Leonas climbing into his window on the second floor. “I don’t suppose you know where the boy spent the evening?” Dad said as a way of greeting.

I shrugged. “He’s got trouble written all over himself.”

Dad fixed me with a look. “You’re early. Wasn’t the party supposed to go longer? The Clark kid’s birthday is now.”

“Anna and Luisa preferred to go home. The party was a bore.”

Dad narrowed his eyes at me. “Is it because Leonas snuck in?”

I nodded then reached for my phone in my back pocket. But it wasn’t there. Instead, I touched silky fabric. I pulled it out and stared at a dark green thong. I knew immediately whose underwear that was. Fuck.

Dad snatched the thong from my hand and frowned. “What’s this?”

“I know you’ve been single for a while but you should still recognize female underwear.”

My heart was trying to jump out of my chest. Fuck.

Dad rose to his feet, not a hint of amusement on his face. “Son, whose damn panties are these?” He dropped the thong on the table and pointed at the tiny label saying Fleur du Mal. I raised my eyebrows.

“That’s the brand Valentina and her daughter buy.”

I snorted. “Do I even want to know why you know this? Don’t tell me you’re so lonely you’re stealing underwear?”

Dad hit me over the head. I was taller and stronger, and he was the only one who was allowed to do it. “Because I’ve been a bodyguard for the Cavallaros for decades and pay attention to their shopping bags and the stores I drop them off.”

Dad grabbed my shirt. “How did Anna’s underwear get in your pocket, son?”

Dad looked as if he wanted to pummel me with his fists. He had a way to make me feel like a boy and not a twenty-eight-year-old man.

“It could just as well be Valentina’s.”

Dad shook me, ripping one of the buttons off my shirt. “That’s not funny.” He released me and ran a hand through his hair. “I tried so hard to raise you well but without your mom, I just failed.”

“You didn’t fail, Dad. You had to raise two kids after losing your wife and still work as a bodyguard.”

Dad looked at me with a worried look. “I can’t lose you too, Sonny.”

“You won’t lose me.”

Dad grabbed my face as if I were a little boy. “I love you, son, and there’s only one reason why I would betray my duty, why I would ever consider killing my Capo and that’s if it was your life on the line.”

“Dad,” I said, prying his hands off. “Stop being dramatic. Nobody’s going to get killed. I’m not touching Anna.”

“Tell Dante you can’t accompany the girl to Paris.”

I grimaced. “Unfortunately, I can’t do that.”

Dad closed his eyes and sank down on the chair. “You’re already in trouble, aren’t you?”

I touched his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I have it under control.”

Dad gave me a look that suggested he doubted it.

“You have the night shift?”

“Until five, then Taft takes over.”

“Good, because I need you to turn a blind eye to me climbing into Anna’s window. She has something I need back.”

Dad stared. I didn’t bother explaining, it would only make things worse.

I hurried out into the night and headed around the building, ducking when I passed Dante’s office. The moment I arrived under Anna’s window, my fury had rekindled. I couldn’t believe she’d stolen my phone and stuffed her damn panties into my pocket.

I used a chair to reach the banisters of the balcony then pulled myself up. Unfortunately, this wasn’t Anna’s room but Leonas so I still had to climb awkwardly to the next window. Luckily it was open. Anna always let air in before she went to bed. With a lunge, I swung myself onto the windowsill.

Luisa let out a shriek, jerking the blankets up to cover herself. I cocked an eyebrow. She’d been in her nightgown, not naked. No need for such a fuss.