Page 154 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

Fuck. Well, it was too late to take it back now.

“It’s nothing.” I sighed. “We take a few bets on the games at school, that’s all.”

“Oh.” He returned to reading. “Okay.”

Okay? “You don’t care?”

“Why would I care?”

I didn’t know. I just thought he would, and I was kind of disappointed that he didn’t.

“Did you honestly think I didn’t know about your little bookie business?”

What? “You knew?”

“Of course I knew. Who do you think sent you your first customer?”

I didn’t really think about it before, but it was weird how quickly it took off. We had twenty bets in the first week. It pissed me off knowing that my father was involved.

“I didn’t need your help. I could’ve done it myself.”

“You’re welcome.”

You’re welcome! Was he fucking serious?

I tore the paper out of his hand and slammed my fist down on the table. “I wasn’t thanking you.”

Where was his help when my mother died, or the hundred other times I needed him? Nowhere that’s where. If he couldn’t be bothered with my childhood then I sure as hell didn’t need him now.

My father let out an annoyed sigh and folded his hands on the table. “Do you know why I said you weren’t ready?”

My eyes rolled. I couldn’t wait to hear this.

“Because you’re more interested in proving yourself then getting the job done.”

“Bullshit.” I barked back. “I got the job done with Nova, didn’t I?”

Not only that but I solved the problem of her sister being a possible witness. Veda wouldn’t say shit as long as I owned Nova.

“Did you?” He asked in a tone that made my teeth grind. But the words he said next made me see red. “Is that why she came at your brother with a bat yesterday.”

“She did what!” I was going to beat her ass. What the fuck was she thinking? “I’ll handle it.”

“You’ll break her, will you?”

There was no doubt in my mind. “Yes.”

Tension filled the air as I glared at him and he stared at me. If he could just believe in me for once… I could show him that I was just as good as my brothers. Just as worthy as they were. I was his son too.

“Why do you hate me?”

“I don’t hate you, Giovanni. I’m trying to help you.”

I snorted. “I don’t need your help.”

“Yes, you do.” He let out a breath and sat back. “Do you know what the most powerful force in this world is?”

That was easy. “Fear.”

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