Page 153 of Bride By Initiation

He follows me into the building.

"Calogero, you don't need to walk me up to my parents' penthouse."

He chuckles. "You know I do."

I sigh and then remind myself to talk to Sean. It's been a month since we married, and he told my father he wasn't in charge of my security anymore. It may be time for him to make good on that so I don't have Calogero following my every move. Surely, Sean won't be this ridiculous.

We get in the elevator. Calogero punches the code for my parents' penthouse.

We quickly ascend, and the elevator doors open on the top floor.

My father's waiting for me. "My beautifulfiglia," he says, pulling me into him.

I hug him back. It's been strange not having the usual relationship with my parents that I'm used to. As much as I've wanted to try and make things right between us all, I can't seem to do it. I've found it easier to ignore them while they're here.

"Is Mom here?" I ask.

"She just got back from her yoga class. She's in the shower," he states.

My chest tightens, and I meet his eyes with mine. "Good. I don't want her to hear us talking."

His eyes turn to slits. "What's going on, Zara?"

"We need to go somewhere private," I state.

Dad doesn't say anything as he leads me into his office and closes us inside. He points to the couch. "Sit down."

I obey.

He takes a seat and turns toward me. He grabs my hands. "Tell me what's going on."

I open my mouth, but I'm unsure where to start, so I snap it shut.

"Myfiglia, what's wrong? I'm your father. Tell me," he urges.

I blurt out, "Why did you kill them?"

The color drains from his face. "Kill who?"

My mouth turns dry. "The Ivanov man, for one."

His gaze hardens. "Don't speak such things."

"I saw it," I say, feeling emotional, tears welling in my eyes.

He studies me closer, holding his breath.

I add, "I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know who you are. And I don't know why you would kill an Ivanov."

His eyes blaze bright. He lowers his voice, trying to keep it steady. "I don't know what you saw, but you've never seen me kill a man."

My voice shakes. "You killed Yury Ivanov, Danny O'Connor, Arthur O'Malley, and Kosmo Marino."

His eyes widen.

"Don't lie to me, Dad. I saw it," I say, then swallow the lump in my throat.

"That's impossible," he mutters.

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