Papa Dearest

Even though I could recognize my father, he looked rough. Time has not been great to him and that internally pleased me. I was glad life had been handing him shit-pie's, even if he did hold some kind of power in the mafia.

One day it would catch up to him and he would meet his end.

My cautious eyes roamed over him, noticing the wrinkles in his tan skin. His stubble was uneven and graying in some areas. His once jet black hair was thinning and even turning grey in some areas like his beard.

He was overweight and his build was still stuck at average. His black suit didn't fit him right. If anything, it was too small and bursting at the seams in some places.

He stood at about six foot, but didn't carry that kind of imposing energy that most tall people held.

God, how was I ever scared of this man?

He was a total joke.

Of course his wrists and fingers were adorned with gold. I could even see a chunky gold chain that was branded around his neck.

He did everything in his power to stay relevant and look like he was a wealthy ruler, but I'm sure he was strapped for cash.

My father was never really good with money. I doubt that his spending habits have changed. I'm sure he's still pissing it right down the drain on stupid things that aren't necessary.

"You've finally come crawling back after all of these years." My father opened up his idiotic mouth to reprimand me. "You looking for money? If you are, I hate to have to be the one to tell you that you won't be getting a single fucking penny from me."

His words were harsh, but it was nothing new.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "I don't need a single thing from you." I barked. "I've taken care of myself without your help just fine. I'm just here to support Cara, not to see you."

He laughed in disbelief before letting his dirty eyes roam over me.

"I could get a pretty penny and marry you off, ya know?" He evilly smirked, "How about you show me some respect and watch the way you talk to me."

"Francesco! That's enough." Mr. Morelli bellowed, "You will not disrespect her in my presence anymore."

My father turned his attention over to Matteo, his distant cousin. His face twisted with anger, but it soon disappeared before his slimy smirk was back on his face.

"I'm just parenting my child, Matteo." He laughed it off, "There's no need for you to get involved."

"I don't need you to parent me." I hissed, "I'm not a child anymore. I'm fucking twenty four years old."

Everyone tensed up as my father and I stared each other down.

"What's going on over here?" The most smoothest yet dangerous voice I ever heard, penetrated my ears and made me leave my father's gaze.

The sexiest Italian man I've ever seen, approached us. His dark eyes were piercing and penetrated my soul as he practically looked through me. I could see his tattoos peaking out of his suit, adding to the dark charm he was exuding.

I could even smell his delicious scent that smelled like musk, tabacco and bad choices.

My insides curled inside of their self as I stopped breathing for a second. His gaze pinned me to the spot where I was standing and had me imagining all the ways I would love this man to undress me and have his way with me.

"I was just catching up with my daughter." My father was the first to speak, making me drop eye contact with the sexy stranger. "It's been many years since I last saw her and I was just reminding her of her place in our world."

His words made me snap my head and glare at him.

"I don't need you to remind me of nothing." I retorted, "I don't want to be apart of this world. I made sure of that when I ran away nine years ago."

My father chuckled--a low dark chuckle that sent shivers down my spine.

"That's right." He smirked slyly, "I heard about you becoming some fancy lawyer in New York."

I couldn't help but tense up.

Had he been looking into me? Did he follow me to New York and keep an eye on me? I had so many questions and no answers. It made me uneasy and honestly I did not like it one bit.

"What? You thought I wouldn't look for you?" He asked as he stared me down, "You've only gotten this far because I didn't want to waste any time dragging you back and putting up with your ungrateful self."

"You bastard!" I sneered before I charged towards him but was stopped by Mr. Morelli. He held me in his arms and dragged me away from my father.

"Let me go!" I fought back, "Let me kill him!"

I was so angry and enraged that I let my father get the best of me. He knew how to push my buttons even though I tried so hard to put the past behind me. I've tried to heal my open wounds so I could function in the world, but it seems like I was still unhealed.

"Isabella." Matteo whispered my name as he held me in his arms, "You gotta calm down. You can't do this here sweetheart. There are too many prying eyes, hold it together for now."

I let his words sink in and reminded myself that we weren't in the comfort of the Morelli's household. I had no idea who owned this house, but I could only guess that it was someone powerful.

If I didn't calm down now, I could find myself in a whole heap of trouble.

"Come upstairs with me." Cara approached and grabbed my hand before dragging me away.

I took one last look back and saw a triumphant smile on my father's face. He thought he won, but he had no idea who he was dealing with.

The game was on now.