Page 61 of Dominance

“Not going to make another excuse to keep dodging this. I want results. The date is set. The venue is paid for. Get it done. Or I will!” His tone shifts, like his moods, from paternal, to commanding, to chastising, to patronizing, and then finally, cheerful and light.

Why do I need to get it done?

Why do I need to get married?

The questions rattle around in my head and it takes every effort not to shout them at him, to demand to know what his infuriating plans are for.

“It’ll be easier if you have company. I’ll have Francesca come pick you up—” Another one of his crony’s wives, likely just paid to spend time with me, to watch me.

“Dad, I?—”

“Already blew off Natasha and Vicky when they so graciously tried to help you earlier this week.”

“They showed up in the middle of a phone meeting with the IRS and tried to ambush me. Forgive me if I kept doing my job in the middle of the workday.”

“Fair. But being the boss’s daughter has perks. If you want to leave early?—”

“No, I really don’t. I just want to?—”

“Do everything yourself. I get it. But I insist. Do I need to come with you?”

I’m opening my mouth to argue, watching the storm cloud form behind my father’s dark eyes when a deep voice fills the lobby, making my heart pound for a very different reason.

“I’ll take her.” That voice is smooth, soothing, calming my nerves immediately, before I even realize that it’s him.

Sweet, sweet Adriano, to the rescue.

At least I think he’s rescuing me. A glance back at him tells me nothing about his mood, his expression unreadable, that cool visage and casual stance revealing nothing.

“Really. You want to go to the wedding planner?” Dom mocks, already preparing another scathing tirade.

“Yes, actually. It’s my wedding too, right? I don’t want to wind up wearing a pink sequin suit, do I?”

“How did you know what I was going to pick?” I snap back, hiding my smile.

“Ugh. Maybe the two of you can try on dresses together while you’re at it. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you two actually like each other.” His eyes narrow slightly.

“Dom, do you really want to bore yourself with a whole afternoon of flowers, cakes, frills?”

My dad’s eyes widen slightly at the idea, his lips twisting in a disgusted grimace.

“When you put it that way. Have fun, girls.” Dom rolls his eyes, waving over his shoulder and disappearing from view.

Thank goodness he’s in a decent mood today.

Or at least not interested in micromanaging me.

“Shall we?” Adriano gestures for me to lead the way.

The drive is pleasant. Albeit a little quiet.

“Look, I know you probably would rather do this with your friends, but?—”

“No. I…would rather do this with you. Dom’s choice of girlfriends for me have been?—”

“Domineering, gaudy, mob wives and daughters?”

“To put it nicely.”

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