Page 44 of The Don's Prisoner

I heard Isabella say something to her in the background, something that sounded strangely like “He’s right you know,” but I didn’t ask about it. I was certain Isabella would explain everything to Victoria. My sister knew about everything that went on, even if my family tried to keep her from it and she had no part in it. She still knew, mostly because she made it her business to know.

She had never been okay with being left in the dark about anything.

“Alright, but please be careful. I don’t… I don’t want you getting hurt,” she told me and I smiled.

“I won’t,” I promised her, confident I would be able to keep that promise. “I might have to take care of a few things before I go get your stuff, so I’m not sure when I’ll be home. Ask Isabella to stay with you until I get there.”

“Already planning on it, bro!” Isabella called through the phone loud and clear. I grinned and looked up as Seth came walking back towards me.

“Perfect. I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”

“Okay.”

There was an awkward silence between us for a few moments as we were trying to figure out what to say to each other. “Bye” didn’t seem like enough, but it was too soon to be throwing anything heavier around. I figured I was safest keeping it sexual and light.

“I’m looking forward to you staying over again,” I said in a low, soft voice. “Maybe a repeat of last night?”

There was a short pause then, “Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it too.”

I could hear the grin in her voice and my cock twitched.

We hung up, and I dialed my father’s number.

I rarely called my father, but this was something that he needed to know. If we were going to go to war, and if we were in danger of being attacked, our people needed to know. Making sure everyone knew was part of Dad’s job.

He picked up on the second ring, and I moved from my spot at the bar into the back room. I didn’t think anyone except Seth would care about what I had to say to him, but it was best for us to have the conversation in private—or as private as we could have it.

“Hello, Gio. To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked and I slipped into the back room, locking the door behind me and turning on the light.

“Dad, we have a problem.”

I explained the situation to him as quickly and efficiently as I could, but leaving nothing out. I even told him the part about Victoria telling Rex that they were no longer a couple and his refusal of that truth. He stayed silent throughout my confession, and when I was done, he stayed silent for a little while longer. I waited, knowing that when he had made up his mind, he would tell me. He was not the kind of man that needed to be argued with to get a response. He was pretty much an open book if you deserved to know the truth.

After what must have been nearly five minutes of silence, he finally spoke.

“Only you would manage to steal a woman from a member of another Mafia and start a war,” he sighed, and I could picture him shaking his head. “Are you sure she is worth it? I mean, she’s sweet, but the relationship is new. I’m sure you could manage to find another woman to marry in the next five months. Hell, I might even be able to talk Ma into giving you more time, seeing as how you tried, and it just didn’t go right.”

“No, Dad, I want Victoria,” I insisted. “She’s worth it, trust me. She is loyal to those she loves, and she's strong and independent. She’s kind and compassionate and, even if she didn’t return my feelings, there is no way I could let Rex keep messing with her because she is frightened of him and with good cause. Who knows what he would do to her for choosing me over him. I’ve heard stories, Dad. We’ve all heard stories about what he does to his women. I can’t let that happen to her.”

He was quiet again, but this time for a shorter stretch.

“You’re in love with her.”

I scoffed at him.

“No. I like her. I like her a lot, but I’m not… I don’t love her. I just don’t want her getting hurt on my account, and she’s really good spouse material. We get along better than expected, and it would be a shame to lose her to that prick,” I insisted.

“It’s cute that you believe that, son,” my dad said, and I opened my mouth to argue with him, but he switched into “boss” mode, his tone of voice absolute. I used to wonder if he was born with the ability to make that voice or if he had learned it over the years. “Call Larry Davis. Tell him we need more muscle and to have everyone fall in, so we can come up with a plan of attack if Rex makes another move.”

“When he makes his next move,” I corrected him. “He’s determined, and from what I hear, he’s just like me. He doesn’t make idle threats.”

“Fine, for when. Then head over to the warehouse and collect all the firepower you can fit in that tiny ass car of yours. Get one of your guys to help if need be, but try to make the move as discreet as possible in case you are being watched.”

“Will do.”

“Alright. See you in a few hours.”

I hung up and headed back out to the bar. There were two women dancing on the stage now, and the group of men at the bar had moved to the front of the stage. I headed straight for Seth who was looking at me from behind the bar with a worried look on his face.

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