Page 123 of Bride By Initiation

Within seconds, Dad pushes through the foyer. His fist is full of Sean's shirt, and Sean's walking backward, even though I'm sure he could hurt Dad if they got physical. Maybe not when my father was in his prime, but he's not a spring chicken anymore.

I shout, "Dad, don't!"

"Don't?" he spits, glancing at me. "Don't kill the man who stole my daughter's innocence?"

I groan. "Dad, stop. You're being extreme."

"Being extreme? He took my beautifulfigliaand married her behind my back. Didn't even ask me permission."

"Dad..."

"Luca, let him go," Mom orders, but she's not happy with me either. Her expression glows with hurt and anger. And I can't say I blame either of them.

The anger in Dad's eyes intensifies. He barks, "I'm not going to let him go, mystellina. I'll do to him what every father does to boys who can't be men and step up to the plate. How dare you not do the right thing before you asked my daughter to marry you!"

"Dad, stop," I say as Dante and Bridget come through the door.

"How could you do this, Sean?" Bridget blurts out, as hurt as my mom.

"Because he's a fucking idiot," Fiona answers.

"Who asked you?" Sean bites out.

Dad grips Sean's shirt tighter, lifting him to his toes, and I know Sean could fight back. I don't know why he isn't. I guess it's out of respect for my father, which I appreciate, but I also want Dad to let go of him.

So I rush over and push between them. I demand, "Dad, stop it."

He glances down at me, then slowly releases Sean. He blinks hard, and pain fills his voice. "My beautifulfiglia. How could you have done this? Do your mother and I not deserve to be at your wedding? Am I so horrible I didn't deserve to give you away?" He turns and snarls at Sean, "Or give this bastard permission to even marry you?"

"Dad, please," I beg.

"Luca, calm down. No one needs to have a heart attack today," Mom frets.

He glances at her with the same disappointed expression. "This isn't right, Chanel."

Sadness flares in her eyes. She affirms, "No one is saying it is, especially not me."

Dante interjects with a hollow voice. "You got the skull branded on you as well, Zara?"

The hairs on my arms rise.

Dad pales, his eyes widening. In a devastated voice, he shakes his head and gasps, "Zara. No."

I glance at Sean, not knowing how to answer.

"Why do you have plastic around your neck?" Fiona questions again, then orders, "Take it off."

"No," I reply and step closer to Sean.

He puts his arm around my waist.

"What did you do to yourself?" Mom questions, then steps behind me, tugs at the plastic and cries out, "Oh my God, your beautiful skin!"

I wince from the shot of pain on my neck.

"Zara's fine," Sean insists, tugging me closer. "Everything's fine. Everyone needs to calm down."

"What did you get my daughter involved in?" Dad seethes, his eyes glowing hotter.

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