This was really happening.

I was going to introduce my father to the man I loved.

Bones—our family enemy.

I didn’t expect this to go well. I could handle a tense and angry meeting. I just hoped bullets wouldn’t be flying, along with death threats. I hoped my father would be calm enough to be objective about the situation. He’d said he wanted me to be with a powerful man. Technically, Bones filled that criteria. He was the strongest man I’d ever met. Even my father wasn’t bulletproof.

We left Milan that morning, driving in his truck. It was a long journey to the south of the country, and since there wasn’t anything to say, we would spend most of it in silence. We were both thinking the exact same thing, but there were no further comments to be made.

It was a testament to Bones’s love for me that he was willing to do this.

But I couldn’t wrap my mind around what was coming next.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked an hour into the drive.

“Yes.” I couldn’t live my life lying to my parents. I couldn’t live two separate lives, one with Bones and one with them. I’d already tried walking away from Bones, and it didn’t work. I was miserable the entire time. I’d made my way back to him because I couldn’t live without him.

“I ask because your brother is getting married soon, right?”

I’d forgotten about that. “Yeah…”

“Maybe we should wait. I’m not making excuses. I’m just being practical here.”

“Well, I’d like it if you were my date. It’s a pretty big deal…”

He gripped the steering wheel with one hand, his jaw clenched. “Baby, that’s not going to happen, especially in a few weeks. You need to let that dream go. It’s unrealistic.”

Maybe I was putting too much faith in my father’s love for me. “We still need to do this…”

“Alright. When are you going to call them?”

“When we’re an hour away.”

He turned back to the road. “Alright.”

When we were an hour away, I held the phone tightly in my fingertips. I stared at the screen without hitting the send button, my heart beating so fast it rocked my rib cage. This would be one of the hardest things I’d ever done in my life, but it had to happen. When Bones left for his mission, I was so lost without him I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I loved this man. I needed my family to love him too…or at least tolerate him.

Bones eyed me from the driver’s seat. “Come on, baby. You can do it.”

“How can you be so calm about this? Aren’t you scared?”

He held my gaze, his expression cool and confident. “I’m not scared of anything.”

“Well, my father is a scary man…”

“The Barsettis have a ferocious reputation. But no, I’m not scared.”

I finally made the call and listened to the rings. A part of me hoped he wouldn’t answer, that it would just go to voice mail. But I couldn’t recall a time when he didn’t take my call. No matter what he was doing or what time of day it was, he always answered.

“Tesoro.” My father’s deep and powerful voice came over the line, the love masked as an undertone. “How are you?”

“I’m good. What are you guys up to?”

“Just got home from the winery. Lars is making dinner.”

“Oh, that’s nice…”

My father picked up on my tone. “Everything alright, tesoro?”

It felt strange talking to him when Bones could overhear the conversation. “You know how you said you wanted to meet the man I was seeing…?”

“Yes.”

“Well, would you want to meet him in about an hour?”

A long pause ensued over the line, so long I wasn’t sure if my father had even heard me. “Of course.” He kept his tone the same, but I knew he struggled to say the words out loud. He’d been dreading this day his entire life. Now, it was here, just an hour away.

“We’re about an hour away. Is it okay if we come to the house?”

“Sure.”

“Could you ask Uncle Cane to come over too? I’d like it if you both met him.”

My father didn’t seem suspicious at the request. “Sounds like this man doesn’t scare easily.” Meeting two powerful men like my father and uncle would intimidate anyone.

“No…he doesn’t.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Then I’ll see you in an hour, tesoro.”

“Alright.”

He hung up.

I set the phone on my lap. “Oh god…it’s really happening.”

The corner of Bones’s mouth rose in a smile, like this was all some kind of joke. “Yep.”

“How can you smile like that?”

“I like the way he calls you sweetheart.”

“So?”

“He doesn’t seem very intimidating when he talks that way.”

“Well, he’s not trying to intimidate me.”

“Just think it’s cute. That’s all.”

I stared out the window, my heart pounding a million miles a minute.

“Baby, it’ll be fine.”

“I’m terrified he’s not going to accept you… I don’t know what to do if he doesn’t.”

His hand moved to my thigh. “We’ll worry about that when we come to it, alright?”

I rested my cheek against his shoulder and closed my eyes. “But you said he wouldn’t accept you…”

“He probably won’t. But like I said, we’ll worry about it later.”

Bones pulled up to the roundabout and purposely parked his truck away from the house, facing the street so his face couldn’t be seen from the house. He killed the engine and sat there, looking at me with his cold expression.

“Wait here…and I’ll come get you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“You don’t have a gun on you or anything…?”

He shook his head. “Took everything out. I’m completely unarmed.”

“No knives?”

He just glared at me.

“Alright…good enough for me.” I leaned over the seat and kissed him on the mouth. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Take your time. Talk me up.”

“I’ll try…” I got out of the truck and walked to the front door, my footfalls feeling so heavy. My heart was beating fast, and I could barely breathe deeply enough. My palms were sweaty even though spring was still a little cold. My house had never felt so foreign as it did then. I’d never thought I would end up in this situation. When I met Bones, I never thought I’d ever be taking him to my family home to meet my father.

How did this happen?

I walked up to the front door, and it immediately opened to my mother’s face. She was beaming with excitement, obviously thrilled to meet the mystery man she’d seen in the painting. She hugged me. “Sweetheart, welcome home.”

“Thanks, Mama.” I stepped inside and hugged my father next, who wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the forehead. “Hey, Father.”

“Tesoro.”

Uncle Cane hugged me next. “We’ve got all the guns loaded. Bring him in.” He smiled to tell me he was joking.

Mom looked out the front door. “Where is he?”

“Uh…” I shut the door so they couldn’t see him sitting in the truck. “Okay, I know this is gonna sound weird…”

All three of them stared at me, their expressions growing cloudier by the second. They probably expected someone like Matteo to walk inside behind me, dressed nicely with tanned skin like my own. He’d extend his hand to shake and be the perfect gentleman who would win my family over.

“I want to talk to Father and Uncle Cane in private first…”

My mom’s expression turned to one of hurt and confusion. “I don’t understand…”

“You’re scaring me, tesoro,” Father said.

Uncle Cane crossed his arms over his chest.

“It’ll make more sense later,” I said. “I’m sorry, Mama. It’s nothing personal. There’s just something I need to say to them, and it needs to be in private.”

Mom continued to look hurt, like this wonderful day had been ruined. “Alright…” She cleared her throat and walked upstairs, her footsteps fading away as she moved up to the next floor.

My father didn’t take his eyes off me, and his confused expression was mixed with a slight look of anger. His brother had the same fiery expression, brows furrowed and his lips pressed tightly together.

“Let’s talk in the dining room…” I led the way, knowing the two men would follow me.

God, my heart was beating so fast.

My palms were soaked with sweat.

I was scared, more scared than I’d been when Knuckles took me.

My father and Uncle Cane sat on the other side of the table, both with broad shoulders and hard expressions. Neither one of them blinked as they looked at me, wearing the same antagonistic gaze Bones wore sometimes.

I sat across from them, my hands shaking a little because I was dreading the conversation as it unfolded. My chest ached because I wasn’t getting enough air to my lungs. Being the recipient of their hostile stares terrified me. They’d never looked at me that way before, like I was their enemy across the table.

“Speak.” My father was ice-cold and aggressive. He’d never spoken to me that way, never barked at me like I was someone who’d crossed him. There wasn’t love in his eyes anymore. He was the terrifying man Bones had warned me about. He said my family wasn’t always so innocent…maybe he was telling the truth.

“I’m going to bring him in here, but I wanted to tell you about him first…”

“Why do I already hate this guy?” Uncle Cane asked.

“I don’t like him either,” Father said. “To cower behind a woman like this is—”

“It’s not like that,” I interrupted. “I thought it would make this easier if I gave you all the information before he came in here.”

“What information?” Uncle Cane asked.

There was no other way to say it other than spitting it out. I couldn’t ease them into it or cushion the blow. “I’ve been seeing him for about four months now. We ran into each other by chance…and it just started from there. I never expected to fall for him. I never wanted to love him. It just happened, and as much as I’ve tried to stop, I can’t. I know this will be hard for you, but please keep an open mind…for me.”

My father was so still he wasn’t even breathing. He hadn’t blinked once since he sat down, his eyes focused on me like my face was a target. “Who is he?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but it took a moment before the words finally tumbled out. “His name is Griffin…and he’s the son of Bones.”

Uncle Cane’s pupils dilated at the name, and the vein in his forehead immediately thickened. Color flushed his face, and his anger was obvious, even to someone who didn’t know him.

My father’s reaction was a million times more intense. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought I could hear his teeth grind together. His green eyes turned so dark they were nearly black. His hostility was stronger than his brother’s, and the rage slowly filled the room until the temperature rose a few degrees. I could feel his disappointment, his rage. I could feel so much anger radiate from his body even though he hadn’t said a single word. He didn’t need to say anything to express his overwhelming ferocity. Everyone in the house could feel it, even my mother who was two stories above us.

My father could be more lethal than Bones.

“I know this is hard,” I said quietly. “But he’s not a bad man. He may be his father’s son, but that doesn’t mean—”

“No.” That was all my father said. It wasn’t a response to what I’d just said, but to the situation in general. He couldn’t handle it. He despised this man regardless of what I would say. “No.”

Uncle Cane was silent, but his anger slowly started to rise to match his brother’s. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” He rarely cursed in front of us, but nothing was normal about this situation.

“He suggested I tell you first…like I am right now. Then I’m going to bring him in here so you can talk to him face-to-face. He asked to do it here where you’re most comfortable. He asked for Uncle Cane to be here so you wouldn’t feel alone—”

“I don’t need anyone to stand beside me.” My father narrowed his eyes on my face. “I will crush his skull in with my bare hands. I don’t need my brother or anyone else. This man may be thirty years younger than I am—”

“No violence,” I said. “From either of you. I mean it.”

That only pissed him off more. “Vanessa—”

“I wouldn’t have brought him here unless I had any other choice.” The tears coated my eyes and started to streak down my cheeks. “I tried forgetting him. I tried dating someone else. But this is the man I love…and he loves me too. I know you love me, Father. Please just talk to him for a few minutes. Just try…for me.”

He took a deep breath, his chest rising high until it came down again. His hand rested on the table, and it was tight in a fist. The veins on his knuckles and forearms were strained and corded.

“Please,” I whispered through my tears. “Just give it a chance. Talk to him for five minutes…that’s all I ask.”

“I don’t like this,” Uncle Cane said. “This could be a setup.”

“It’s not,” I said. “I would never put you in danger.”

“Knowingly,” my father said. “He could be tricking you.”

“He’s not.” I shook my head. “He loves me…he would die for me…he would never hurt you.”

My father remained rigid, his eyes wide open and hostile.

Uncle Cane stared at me too, so similar to my father there was no doubt they were brothers.

“I’m going to get him now…” I rose out of my chair. “No violence. Just talking.” I turned my back on them and walked out of the room. The second I crossed the threshold, I heard their whispers.

I walked out to the truck and approached the driver’s door, tears streaming down my face.

Bones opened the door and stepped out, his eyes narrowing in sadness when he saw my suffering. His eyes softened, and he cupped my face with both hands before he kissed my tears away. “I’ll do my best, baby.” He pulled the handcuffs out and handed me a shotgun.

“What’s this for?”

“Aim the gun at me when I walk in there. Then hand it to them when you handcuff me.”

“No—”

“Just do it. If it’s as bad as you’re making it out to be…that’s what we need to do.”

I took the shotgun, feeling the weight in my hands.

He walked in front of me, the handcuffs in his back pocket. He stayed in front of me and walked into the house.

“To the right.” I guided him through the house until we reached the dining room.

My father and uncle immediately stared at him, their eyes flicking to the gun I carried.

Bones walked perfectly straight, holding his posture like the most powerful man in the room. He didn’t flinch at their hostility as he sank into the chair.

I placed the shotgun in front of my father before I took the handcuffs and clasped Bones’s hands behind his back and locked him into the wooden bars of the chair. He could probably break through the chair if he wanted to, but his hands would still be secured.

My father immediately popped the shotgun open and looked at the ammo loaded in the barrel. He closed it again, keeping it on the table beside him so he could grab it easily if he needed to.

Then there was silence.

Silence so loud it shattered my eardrums.

I didn’t know where to sit because I didn’t want it to seem like I was taking sides, so I sat at the head of the table, between them.

My father and uncle stared at Bones, looking at his tattoos, muscles, and crystal-blue eyes.

Bones stared back, his eyes locked on my father’s. He wasn’t afraid, even though any other man would be. He’d surrendered himself completely, making himself vulnerable to his biggest enemy. These were the men he’d wanted to kill, but now he dropped all protection—for me. “Search my truck if you want. There’s nothing there. There’s no backup coming to the house. Vanessa has secured me to this chair, and I’ve given you a loaded shotgun so you can kill me right now if you want. I don’t expect you to trust me, but I hope this is a start.”

My father was silent.

Uncle Cane didn’t speak either.

Bones was the kind of man who liked to be a smartass, even in the tensest situations. But he left his bullshit at the door because he knew this was serious. He was doing this for me—because it was important to me. “I know I’m the worst possible man you’d want for your daughter. I don’t blame you. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m an innocent man who hasn’t done criminal things. But I’m always honest. And when I say I love your daughter, I really mean it. I’d take a bullet for her. I’d die to protect her. I’d do anything to make her happy. When she’s with me, she invincible. I don’t want to be here just as much as you. But I’m here for her. Meet me halfway.”

My father hadn’t taken a single breath since Bones started speaking. His hand rested on the table next to the gun, but he didn’t pick it up.

Bones waited for a response, even though it didn’t seem like one was coming. “I understand our families despise each other. This blood war has been going on for three generations now. The hatred for one another is in our blood as we speak. But I have no ill will toward the Barsetti family. I want to end it for good, regardless of what happens between Vanessa and me. I’ve laid down my weapons and armor, have come to your home defenseless, to prove that to you.”

My father tilted his head slightly, examining Bones with even more coldness. “Your father raped and killed my sister.” He spoke with such calmness, but I knew he was anything but relaxed. In the peacefulness around his words was the rage. “She was an innocent woman, and she died an innocent woman. Your father never showed her mercy—ever. Why should I show you any?”

“Daddy…he’s not him.” I hated the way this was going. I hated the way my family was so angry. This was so much worse than I’d anticipated. “Don’t hold that against him.”

Bones didn’t look at me. “Baby, let me—”

“Don’t call my daughter that in my presence.” My father interrupted Bones, and he was the only one who could pull it off. “She’s my daughter, my baby, and you can’t have her until I give her to you. And right now, I can confidently say I will never give you my daughter—ever.”

Bones didn’t rise to the insult, keeping his face calm.

More silence passed, just as tense as before.

Bones waited a minute before he spoke again. “Vanessa is right. I never even knew my father.”

“Blood is blood,” Uncle Cane said.

“And love is love,” Bones countered. “I don’t have much experience with the emotion, but after meeting Vanessa, I know how powerful it is. She loves you so much, and I would never hurt anyone that she loves so deeply. You’re everything to her, and that’s why I’m sitting here trying to make this work. Trust me, I wouldn’t be here of my free will. Your company isn’t exactly pleasant.”

My father and uncle didn’t react to that. My father gave a slight raise of his eyebrow, but I couldn’t be sure it really happened.

Bones continued. “After my father was killed, my mother and I lost the business and our wealth. Men turned on the family, our accounts were snatched from us, and my mother and I were on our own. My mother became a prostitute so she could take care of me—”

“Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you.” My father’s hand inched a little closer to the gun. “Because I don’t.”

“I’m not ashamed of what my mother did to support me, so there’s no reason for pity at all. Any parent who does everything to protect their child is someone to be proud of, if you ask me. I love my mother, and I’m not afraid to say it. I just wish I had been strong like I am now so I could have protected her—could have stopped the man who murdered her. Her client left her in a dumpster when he was done with her. But don’t worry, I found him and killed him. Vanessa helped me.”

It was the first time my father took his eyes off Bones and looked at me. I didn’t know what the look meant or what he was thinking since his expression didn’t change. But he stared at me, his dark eyes unblinking.

Bones continued. “I lived in an orphanage for a while, then I lived on the streets. When I became an adult, I entered a criminal line of work. I’m death for hire. I kill people when people pay me to.”

I wished he hadn’t said that. I wished he didn’t want to be so honest.

“I’ve made my own wealth in life,” Bones said. “I’m more than capable of taking care of Vanessa.”

“My daughter can take care of herself,” my father snapped. “She doesn’t need a man’s dirty money. You think that impresses me, asshole?”

“Father—”

“I want this to work,” Bones said calmly. “But let’s not bullshit here. Both of you are part of the criminal underworld. It’s where you both made your fortunes. Cane was part of the Skull Kings for years, doing exactly what I’m doing now—but more ruthlessly. And you’ve sold weapons to the mob and traffickers. I kill mob members and traffickers. Don’t sit there and pretend you’re better than me. We’re equals, sir.” He said the last word under strain, forcing himself to spit it out even though it made him sick—and he did it for me.

My father didn’t say anything to that, and neither did Uncle Cane. Perhaps they didn’t understand how much Bones knew about both of them.

I guess that meant Bones had been right about my family—all along.

“Your actions are directly responsible for all the bad shit that happened to me,” Bones said. “It pissed me off for a long time. But I’ve put aside my anger because it’s not important anymore. I know what my father did was wrong. He got what was coming to him. Now it’s over. He’s the only one to blame for my misfortune. Let’s put the past where it belongs and start over. I want your daughter, and I’m willing to do anything to make that happen. You don’t have to like me, but I need you to accept me. Vanessa needs you to accept me.”

I didn’t think Bones should be so honest, but when he put all his cards on the table, it made him less of a threat. His transparency made him more likable, even trustable. He also didn’t take a beating from my family like another man would. He held his side of the argument, proving he was a man who could stand up against all adversity. There was a small light of hope inside me, a small belief that this might actually work.

My father and uncle were just as stoic as before, absorbing everything Bones said but giving nothing in return. They didn’t communicate with each other in his presence, their secrets concealed behind their eyes.

When the conversation didn’t continue, Bones spoke again. “I’m willing to suffer your scrutiny, completely forsake my privacy, to be given a real chance. I love Vanessa, and she loves me. It’s not the kind of love that started the first time we saw each other. It took a very long time to build, and while we pretended to hate each other, that love grew against our will. We’ve tried living apart. She’s tried moving on from me. We’re stuck together like glue. Don’t try to tear us apart. The second you let go, we’ll snap back together.”

My father was quiet, the gun untouched beside him. Dressed in black with dark hair, he looked like a member of the mob. My father was always warm and affectionate when I was around, but now I saw the sinister side of him. He was cold and cruel just the way Bones was. They were a lot alike…which would probably make them hate each other more. “Get out of my house. Come back, and I’ll shoot you.”

I closed my eyes at the death threat, the hope squeezing from my chest like someone had their fingers wrapped around my throat. I felt my eyes water, heartbroken that this was my father’s decision. “Father, that’s not fair—”

He didn’t look at me as he spoke. “We’ll talk about this later. Get him out of here. I’m keeping the gun.”

I sat still in my chair, unable to believe this was really happening, that this was the final verdict. I understood why my father didn’t like Bones, but to be so hateful to not even give it a chance…disappointed me.

“Vanessa,” my father said coldly. “You heard what I said.”

I sniffed as I stood up. My eyes moved to Bones, and he wore the same hard expression he wore all the time. But there was a hint of sadness in his eyes, not because he hadn’t convinced my family to give him a chance, but because this hurt me so much. He was immune to pain, but not when it was my pain.

I came to his back and unlocked the handcuffs.

Bones rose to his feet.

My father did the same, leaving the shotgun on the table. “I may have made my fortune in the underworld, but I’m a respectable and hardworking man now. My business is clean. Vanessa comes from a good family, a line of strong men and women who never give up. She’s noble, smart, beautiful…she’s royalty. You…” My father looked him over like he wasn’t impressed. “You’re trash. Trash that belongs in the dumpster along with your mother’s corpse.”

I took a deep breath when the insult hit me. It was like a bullet to the stomach. I bled out everywhere, feeling my heart beat faster to compensate for the lost blood. The taunt was so cold, so cruel, I couldn’t believe it came from my father’s mouth. It was wrong, disgusting. It hurt me because I knew how much it hurt Bones.

Bones didn’t react at all, keeping his arms by his sides and forcing his hands not to form fists. His breathing escalated, and his gaze turned ice-cold. If my father were anyone else, Bones would kill him with his bare hands. He kept his rage in check for me…and only for me. He clenched his jaw while his nostrils flared, fighting the anger that circulated in his veins. The only reason he didn’t turn into a beast was because it would hurt me…so he let the verbal slap go. “That shotgun only has two bullets. That wouldn’t be enough to stop me. You might be able to get one shot in me before I could get to you, but trust me, one bullet isn’t enough. I would know…I’ve been shot five times. The only reason I’m letting you live is because I love your daughter. But if you were anyone else, you’d be dead right now. Family is important to you, and it’s just as important to me. My mother was an innocent woman. She didn’t share my father’s brutality. She doesn’t deserve your disrespect—and you know it.” He turned to the doorway, exposing his back to my father, like he was daring him to pull the trigger.

This couldn’t have gone any worse.

My father walked behind him, aiming the gun right at his back.

“Father.” I pushed the barrel toward the ground. “Enough.”

“Vanessa.” He flashed me a terrifying look, one I’d never seen before. “Back off.” He followed Bones all the way to the door, the gun still trained on him.

Bones stepped outside to the roundabout, his feet crunching on the gravel. He turned around and looked at me, silently asking if I was coming with him.

I shook my head slightly, my eyes still wet.

“Let me know when you want me to pick you up.” He turned around again and walked to the truck, his body vulnerable to two bullets in his back. He got in the driver’s seat, started the truck, and then pulled onto the road.

My father finally dropped the gun but stared down the road until Bones’s truck was completely gone from sight. Then he turned to me, giving me a searing look packed with so much disappointment it was painful.

It was like he hated me.

Uncle Cane left, and my father went upstairs to talk to my mother.

I sat at the dining table, exactly where Bones had been sitting thirty minutes ago. Lars brought me coffee and lunch. I told him I wasn’t hungry, but he insisted on bringing me something. I sipped the coffee but didn’t touch the food. My head was propped against my hand, and I stared into the dark coffee, the smell of espresso not calming me the way it usually did.

I couldn’t believe this was happening.

I didn’t expect my family to be thrilled about it.

But I didn’t think my father would call Bones trash either.

Fuck, this was a nightmare.

A few minutes later, both of my parents came into the room. I didn’t look at either of them right away, needing a moment to gather my bearings before I looked my mother in the eye. I hoped she would be more understanding, but when I looked into her gaze, I only saw disappointment.

I held my cup with both hands and felt the warmth heat my fingers.

They sat across from me, the open window behind them. Spring was more apparent in this part of Italy, and it was beautiful. The sun was warm, and the birds were singing.

I looked at both of them, seeing the two people I loved most in this world. My mother was smart, compassionate, and strong. My father was a powerful man who showed his weakness only to his family. I’d learned so much from both of them. But now it felt like an entire ocean was in between us.

My father leaned back against his chair, his posture completely different from how it’d been when Bones was there. He wasn’t on his guard with me, but his disappointment was suffocating.

My mom brought her hands together on the table, her thumbs rubbing together.

I guessed I would speak first. “Mom, the only reason I didn’t include you was because I thought Father wouldn’t want you there…to keep you safe somewhere else.”

“And you were right.” My father stared me down like I was his enemy rather than his daughter. “I don’t want my wife anywhere near that piece of trash.”

“He’s not trash…” I held his gaze, keeping myself strong just the way he was. “You can say you don’t like him. You can say he’s wrong for me. But you can’t say that…because it’s not true.”

My father didn’t show a hint of remorse. “I’ve been dreading this day since you were born. But I told myself I’d raised a smart and powerful woman. I’d raised a woman who refused to accept anything less than the best. I told myself that it would be alright, that you would introduce me to a man who was actually worthy of you. But then you brought him…my worst fucking nightmare.” My father never cussed around me, but all manners were off the table now. “I’ll never accept him, Vanessa. He’s not welcome in this family, and he never will be. I don’t want him anywhere near you.”

Every single word was more painful than the last. “You’re being unreasonable. He came in here handcuffed to a chair and handed you a loaded gun. How many other men would be brave enough to do that? For me?”

“He’s not brave. He’s arrogant.”

“Yes, he is,” I said. “But he wasn’t arrogant today. Griffin is a powerful man who doesn’t accept an insult from anyone. You said the most hurtful thing to him…and he did nothing. I’ve never seen him restrain himself like that.”

“I’m glad the insult hurt. I hope it hurt more than a bullet.”

My eyes narrowed on my father’s face, not recognizing him. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” my father said coldly. “Stop protecting you? Never. Be as angry as you want. I’ll never stop.”

“No, that’s not what you’re doing. You hate him just because of who his father is—”

“He’s caused more pain to this family than you could possibly understand.” The vein in his forehead started to throb as his face flushed red with anger. “I have every right to despise that piece of shit.”

But I did understand. I knew my mother didn’t want me to know, so I pretended I didn’t know anything. “You have every right to despise his father—who’s dead. Bones wasn’t even born when all of this stuff happened.”

“I don’t care,” my father hissed. “Some rivers run too deep. Some blood is too thick. My hatred for his father is powerful, so dominant, that I would even hate his fifth cousin twice removed. Anyone who shares that animal’s blood is my enemy. He’ll always be my enemy. My family is the most important thing in the world to me, and I would never risk that by declaring war against him. If we can coexist peacefully, that’s fine with me. But I’ll never, ever, welcome him into this family. I’ll never let you marry someone like him.”

Mom turned to him slightly, her eyes full of warning. “Crow…”

“Let me?” I challenged, my eyebrows rising. “First of all, there’s been no talk of marriage yet. We’re just trying to get through this right now. And secondly, let me?” I couldn’t believe my father, the man who encouraged me to be so independent, had said those words to me. “No one lets me do anything.”

“This is different,” my father said. “I never thought I would have to say that to you. I never thought you would be so stupid as to actually get involved with someone like him. Are you fucking kidding me, Vanessa?” His nostrils flared as his green eyes bored into mine.

I held his gaze, my breath shaking.

Mom placed her hand on his forearm, silently commanding him to calm down.

“Stupid?” I asked, my voice cracking with pain. “You’re the one who’s so blind you can’t even see what’s right in front of you—”

“A stupid daughter,” he snapped. “That’s what I see.”

I’d never heard my father talk to me or my mother that way. I’d never seen him be so cruel, so ruthless. He’d never hurt me like this, had always been the man who looked at me with love and affection. I pushed back the chair and stormed off because I would much rather wait outside for Bones to pick me up than listen to my father talk to me that way. Besides…I was on the verge of tears.

“Crow.” Mom’s threatening voice filled the air. “You need to stop this now. Apologize and get her back or—”

I didn’t hear the rest of what they said because I left the room and stormed toward the front door. Once they couldn’t see me anymore, tears streamed down my face. I’d been hurt a few times in my life, but hearing my father, my hero, speak of me so poorly…hurt me straight down to the bone.

I got outside and pulled out my phone to call Bones, to get a ride out of here as soon as I could. This place had been my home my entire life, but now it felt like something else…something I didn’t recognize. I pressed the phone to my ear and let it ring.

The phone was snatched out of my hand. My father ended the call then sighed as he looked down at me. He handed the phone back, a new look of disappointment in his eyes. This time, he didn’t seem angry with me…but with himself. “I shouldn’t have acted that way. I let my anger get to me, and I just…I’m sorry.”

I took the phone and squeezed it in my hand as my father stood over me.

“Please come inside, and let’s talk about this.”

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I didn’t mean what I said. Please come inside, tesoro.”

The use of my nickname softened me.

“I’ll listen this time.” He pleaded with me with his eyes.

My phone rang, and Bones’s name appeared on the screen as Griffin.

My father glanced at it before he looked at me again.

I took the call. “Hey…”

“Did you mean to call me?” he asked in his masculine voice. “Do you want me to come get you?”

My father kept staring at me, still begging me.

“No…I’m gonna stay a little longer. I called you, but I changed my mind.”

Bones paused before he spoke. “Alright. I’m here when you need me.” Click.

I listened to the line go dead before I put my phone in my pocket.

“Thank you.” My father moved back to the front door and stepped aside so I could walk in first.

We went back to the dining room, and my mom looked visibly relieved when I returned. We sat down again, the three of us. The table was between my parents and me, a thick piece of wood dividing us on either side of this battle.

My mom sighed. “Alright…let’s start over.”

My father stared at me, the remorse still in his eyes.

I didn’t say anything, unsure what to do about the situation. Regardless of what I said, my father wouldn’t change his mind. He only apologized because he hurt my feelings, but that didn’t mean his opinion of Bones was any different.

“Your father is very protective…as you know.” My mom kept her hands together on the table. “It’s hard to understand, but he’s lived a long life under the most extreme circumstances. He’s worked hard to have a quiet life, and he wants it to stay that way. He doesn’t want me, you, or anyone else in our family getting involved with someone who could be dangerous.”

“Griffin isn’t dangerous,” I said.

Mom raised an eyebrow.

“To me,” I corrected. “Or any of us. He wouldn’t have come in here defenseless if he didn’t want to prove that to you. He wouldn’t take your insults without retaliation if he weren’t committed to making this work. He’s trying…and you aren’t meeting him halfway.”

“Because I don’t want to meet him halfway.” Father kept his voice more controlled this time. “He kills people for a living, Vanessa. He’s not the right man for you. Maybe he would never hurt you, but someone is going to want revenge against him, and you’ll be their first target.”

“He keeps me separate from his line of work,” I argued. “He’s private about our relationship.”

“Anyone can spy on anyone,” Father said. “And they’ll quickly realize what you mean to him. I know you don’t want to hear that, but it’s true.”

“So if he just changed his career, you would accept him?” I asked.

“Would he change it?” Mom asked, remaining the calmest person in the conversation.

“Yes,” I said without thinking. “He would do anything for me. He wouldn’t be happy about it, but if that’s the sacrifice he had to make…he would do it. Would that make you accept him?”

Both of them were silent.

“What’s it going to take?” I whispered. “I understand you aren’t happy about this. I get it’s a shock. But I know him better than anyone. I’ve been with him for four months. He’s the man I want to be with. It would mean the world to me if you would just try…just try to look past where he comes from.”

“And if we don’t?” my father asked quietly.

“What do you mean?” I whispered.

“What if we never accept him?” my father said. “What if your mother and I can’t deal with this? Does that mean you’ll be with him and we’ll hardly get to see you?” His voice broke slightly in pain. “I don’t want that, tesoro. That’s the last thing I want.”

“I don’t want that either,” I said. “I told him that we needed to make this work, that I need you guys to accept him. He didn’t want to do it at first. He said it was hopeless and I was unrealistic to expect that you would ever give him a fair chance. But he agreed to try…because it was so important to me.”

“Sweetheart, you mean the world to us. We’ll do anything to make you happy. But we also can’t lie about the way we feel about the situation. I know you love him… I saw it in your painting.”

“But could you keep an open mind?” I asked. “Could you at least try? That’s all I’m asking. Try to accept this man and see him the way I see him. He’s willing to do that for you, because he loves me. I need you to do it too…for me.”

Mom looked at Dad.

I could tell Dad felt her stare on the side of his face, but he kept his gaze on mine. “I don’t trust him, Vanessa. This could be a stunt to take out all the Barsettis for good.”

“It’s not,” I said confidently.

“If so, why does he go by the name Bones?” he asked. “He’s taken on his father’s identity for a reason. His father is associated with crime, rape, and murder. He was one of the most feared men in Italy. His son has obviously embraced that—along with his blood war against us. How can you explain that?”

Bones said we needed to be transparent, that complete honesty was the best way to make this work. The second my family caught him in a lie, it would ruin all the work we’d done. So I decided to stick with that plan. “You aren’t wrong. He went by that name for that exact reason. He wanted to be fearsome. He wanted to continue what his father started. He considered himself to be an enemy to the Barsetti family…but all of that changed when he fell in love with me. He said he would never hurt any member of my family, regardless of what happened between us. He wasn’t the best man when I first met him, but I’ve watched him morph into a completely different person. He’s kind, gentle, and protective. He’s the strongest man I’ve ever known, but he only uses that strength to protect me. He makes me feel safe.”

Disappointment filled my father’s eyes, and he sighed between his clenched teeth.

Mom watched him, expecting his anger.

My father tore his gaze away from my face. “Vanessa, how can you love a man who ever wanted to hurt your family to begin with? Who wanted to kill your mother and me?” He struggled to ask the question, the hurt obvious in his voice.

But I had my answer. “Because I knew he would never do it. He’s a strong man, but he’s crippled by his isolation. He lost his family at a young age, and I know it still bothers him…even to this day. He just wants what I have…even if he won’t admit it. He thinks revenge will make him feel better, but it never will. He needed to kill the man who murdered his mother, and that brought him peace. But he knew hurting you would accomplish nothing. He knew his father was wrong for what he did to our family. He’s never denied that. But once he had me…he started to change. He finally had something that filled the void in his chest, and all these wonderful qualities came out. Men change under the right circumstances, and I can confidently say he’s different.”

My father listened, but it didn’t seem like that response was enough for him.

“I never wanted to love him,” I said. “In fact, he was the one who told me he loved me first…and that’s when I stopped seeing him. I told him it would never work, that my family would never be okay with this. I tried to forget about him. I went on a date with Matteo, but there was nothing there. Maybe if I’d met Matteo first, things would be different. But now that I’ve fallen for Griffin…I can’t see myself with anyone else.”

“I’ll make a deal with you,” my father said. “Your mother and I will give it a chance. I’ll get to know him, watch him, and see if I can overcome this hatred I have toward him. Maybe I can understand these good qualities you’re referring to. But if I can’t…I want you to stop seeing him.”

I took a deep breath, not liking that deal.

My father kept staring at me. “You want me to like the man you’re with, right?”

“Of course,” I said.

“I’m willing to try. But if I see nothing good in him, then I want it to be over,” he said. “I’ve worked very hard to give this family a life we deserve. You’re my only daughter, and I have to protect you. You may be too young to differentiate between infatuation and love.”

It wasn’t infatuation. I knew that much.

“But don’t expect me to go easy on him,” Father said. “I’ll drill him hard, strip away everything to see the man underneath. Don’t even expect me to be polite to him. You asked me to try—and that’s the best I can do.”

I knew I wouldn’t get anything better out of him. “Okay…that’s all I wanted.”

Mom watched me, her eyes heavy with sadness. “I know your father really loves you. There’s no other reason this conversation happened. If he didn’t, he would have shot Bones right between the eyes the second that gun was in his hand.”

My father immediately tensed as the name was spoken out loud. His temper deepened, and a heavy cloud passed over his eyes. He couldn’t even bear his name, like it was painful to listen to.

Mom rested her hand on his. “This is hard for us, Vanessa. Very hard…”

I looked away, unable to stare her into eyes, knowing what happened to her. The father of the man I loved hurt her so much. I knew it took a miracle to look past the crime.

And that miracle was me.