Page 6 of Big Bad Daddy

“Sybil Sheridan, you promised you’d do this for me. I’m counting on you today, and as much as I know you wantto continue this hunt for Scarlett, I need five hours of your uninterrupted time to pull this off. If I beat Joel and score the senior position, I’ll be one step closer to establishing my own line.” Tasha shakes her fist in the air and waits for me to reply.

“Get off my ass. I said I would go, and I’m going. I only asked how long this would take. Sheesh,” I counter, rolling my eyes as I pass her in the hall and head to my room. Maybe this is the distraction I need.

Chapter Five

“What do you expect me to do?” Dante Serpico, the don of dons and leader of the Five Families, stuffs his hands into the pockets of his trench coat and stares across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

Pebble Beach, on the southern shore of the East River, like Pier One on the northern side, is neutral territory. The prick had the balls to summon me to a meeting early this morning, but I don’t take orders from him. He does it because he loves to get a rise out of me.

“I don’t give a damn what you do,” I snap and shield my eyes from the setting sun. I made the bastard wait all day and now that he’s here, there’s no way I'll make his job easier. “Why is this your business anyway? This is a personal matter between my son and Scarlett Rossi. They ran away together because her father was sticking his big nose in his adult daughter’s life. The only thing that jackass thinks about is getting re-elected so that he can continue to fleece the American people,” I rant, pretending I know anything about my son’s situation. It’s still unclear if hekidnapped her or she went willingly. But that’s not information I’d ever share with Serpico.

Gaspar idles nearby, close enough to observe but far enough not to hear our private conversation. His jaw ticks as he grits his teeth, straining his neck to listen and clearly uncomfortable in the presence of Serpico’s Sicilian goons. He may have been the wrong man to accompany me. His impatience with our enemies is legendary. The underworld gossip mill is saturated with stories of his violent outbursts and the men who’ve suffered the consequences of getting in his way.

One of those men is Fabio Romano, the Serpico family’s most vicious hitman, standing less than fifteen feet away from him. Fortunately, both are less likely to be trigger-happy with their bosses inches away. One false move could drag us to war.

“You know why it’s my business and what Senator Rossi means to the Five Families. There’s no way he’ll support their relationship, and you know it.” Dante groans and runs a shaky hand through his windswept hair. “I know we’ve had our differences. We’ve lost good men needlessly. I don’t want to lose more over something so trivial as your son’s love life. For the sake of peace and making our lives easier, please tell Vasily to bring her home today, before we’re forced to escalate the situation.” His overt threat makes me snarl and clench my jaw, instinctively baring my teeth like a junkyard dog.

“Or what?” I cock my head, my eyes narrowing as I focus on his tightening lips.

He’s not used to someone questioning his orders. Fabio Romano places his hand over the gun on his hip and Gaspar reaches for his weapon. Both men step forward, but Dante and I hold our arms out, preventing them from taking matters into their own hands.

“You know what happens to people who cross me.” Dante’s pupils dilate as he sneers. He’s not bluffing, but he’s spenttoo much time with people terrified of him to understand that neither am I.

“Don’t fucking threaten me, Dante,” I grit through clenched teeth, only loud enough for him to hear. “Or are you actually Daniel? Did your twin brother send you to do his dirty work?”

Dante’s eyes widen before narrowing with fury. He takes a deep breath and clenches his fists at his sides, perhaps gathering the strength not to reply with a tirade of profanities. He’s not a man who typically loses his cool, but he didn’t expect I’d know his secret.

“I don’t know what you think you know, but now is not the time to discuss my family. We’re focused onyourson and avoiding a full-on war. I might cut you some slack, but the rest of the dons won’t appreciate Vasily jeopardizing our lucrative relationship with the senator,” Dante says, clearly still too uncomfortable by my revelation to look me in the eye. His pride won’t let him address it, but his anger is evident.

I let out a small huff and then look over my shoulder, ensuring my men were not close enough to hear. “You know what I know. Your brother Daniel is alive, and you and he act as one. I’m utterly fascinated by how you pull it off. Does that mean your wife has two husbands? How exactly does that work?”

Dante growls and lunges forward, taking hold of my lapels as he threatens. “Don’t talk about my wife. I’ve killed men for less.”

I grasp his wrists, weakening his grip until I'm able to push him away without knocking him on his ass. He almost stumbles backward but regains his balance quickly. His men come charging forth, and mine follow suit, the raucous frightening tourists idling by the river's edge.

“Don’t tell me how to deal with my son, you arrogant bastard. I won’t be lectured by a man who…” I stop before I say something I regret. “Well, you know what you do, Dante. Keep pestering me about Vasily, and everyone else will know, too.”

Dante Serpico fakes a smile, his crooked grin fighting against the scowl he wore moments ago. “You’ve always been a little insane, Boris. It’s one of your many charms. I hope you haven’t lost your mind completely.”

“Try me, Dante. Placate the senator. Tell him whatever you need to tell him, but stay off my back. There’s no need to panic. No doubt Senator Rossi will win his election and maintain the power you enjoy.” I signal Gaspar to call for my car, eager to leave before I wring Dante’s neck.

Dante shakes his head, his nostrils flaring as he fights to regain his composure. He grits his teeth and hisses, “Do I have your assurance that Scarlett won’t be harmed?” He averts his gaze, adjusting his cufflinks and smoothing down the front of his jacket, distracting himself from whatever anger rages within.

“You do,” I say as I turn and walk toward Bogdan, standing by my car with his arms crossed over his chest. He warned me not to come but curiosity got the best of me. I rarely get the opportunity to remind Dante Serpico that his power does not extend to Brooklyn. Although I have a feeling nothing I say or do would make him believe it.

From the corner of my eye, I spot a team of bodyguards securing their don into the safety of his bulletproof vehicle, like Secret Service agents protecting the president. Dante’s men fawn over him as if he’s a god. That would never do for me. I’m a leader, not a king. I don’t expect or desire to be worshipped. My men are loyal because I fight alongside them and reward their allegiance with a fair portion of our spoils.

“How did it go?” Bogdan smirks as he opens the car door, allowing me to enter first. He follows, shaking his head with disbelief when I tell him Dante wants me to command Vasily to return home today. That may have been my intention all along, but now that Serpico wants me to do it, I’ll have to rethink my plans.

“Any news on where he is?” I ask about my son, wondering if anyone has finally tracked him down.

Vasily knows how to take care of himself, and if any of my enemies harmed him, they would immediately claim responsibility. They’d want to take credit in hopes of igniting a war. No one is foolish enough to go against me because they know they’d lose.

“We’re getting close, but if we don’t find him on our own, I have no doubt he’ll reappear soon. I froze his bank account and credit cards this morning,” Bogdan replies, his eyes focused on his phone instead of me. He scrolls, taps the screen, and reads aloud, “Please confirm Boris’s attendance tomorrow night and if he plans on bringing one of his men.”

“Why didn’t you cancel for me? You know I hate Yarina’s dinner parties. I’ll have to pretend to be nice, hold my tongue, and swallow my rage for two hours to keep the peace. It’s intolerable, and I have much greater use for my time,” I gripe while I examine my phone for missed messages.

Vasily is still missing in action, and I have yet to receive word about Vivi. It doesn’t seem right to attend a dinner party when both my children are off the radar. If only I could use that as an excuse. No one would fault me. Unfortunately, I can’t risk their safety.

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