Twenty Seven

Sofia

The men all flinch. My father has always been “padre” or “daddy,” but I can't use endearments with him right now—he sold me.

My father looks at me with pained eyes and says, "I know you're upset. I know because I deserve it all, but you're still my daughter, and I still love you something fierce."

My anger takes hold.

"You love me? Really? You love me so much, you left me with a mother who was jealous and bitter, getting drunk because you couldn't keep it in your pants." I shout the last bit, causing all the men in the room to look at me with shock. I've never spoken to him this way before, but I continue. I'm already fired up because of that slut out in the hallway.

"Her guard dog nearly raped me several times and succeeded with sexual assault, all because my father, who supposedly loved me, refused to come home and deal with his issues and his marriage." Damian walks toward me and tries to butt in, but I'm not done. "I got slapped across the face because you couldn't hide your fucking condoms in a better place when I was only sixteen. Because of you and your manwhore ways, she put me on a salad diet for years just so my husband wouldn't fucking cheat—a lot of good that fucking did though, hey." Alexandr looks away in shame because he’d known what Damian was doing. At the same time, my father and Damian hang their heads in shame. However, I continue, "And let's not forget the elephant in the room, 'Father,' you fucking sold me like cattle for an alliance, and got Damian to make me fall in love with him! I thought it was all real! I thought he was my best friend! I thought he fucking loved me, but it was all a fucking lie because of your greed! My daughter has had to spend the first two years of her life without her family because of you." It is true. Even with Damian cheating, I would have stayed, but I just wasn't willing to allow my daughter to be sold like I’d been.

"Moya lyubov, it may have started out that way, but the moment you called me out for being in a bad mood, and then dragged me for cookies, I was yours. I was bound to you like you were bound to me; I just didn't want to believe it. I wanted to rebel. I didn't want to be a don or a Pahkan. I was supposed to be second in command and live my life how I wanted, and on top of that, I was stuck with this bratty little princess." He smirks at that, causing me to scowl at him, and he smiles wider.

"She didn't care. I was pissed, but she still became my best friend. And I fought it. Fuck, did I fight my feelings for you! Even two days before our wedding, I was determined to fight them. I knew they were there, but I didn't want our parents to be right about how madly and deeply I'd fall in love with you. If I wasn't with you, I worried continuously. The worry would piss me off, so I'd contact a woman for a booty call. Was it right? No. Did you deserve that? Fuck no, and I regret it every fucking day, and I will until the day I die. I honestly thought, like a fucking dickhead, that once the wedding was over, we could start fresh. Like, I never strayed from you. I thought you'd never find out, but that if you did, you'd forgive me. But then you did find out, but you didn't forgive me; you ran, you left me, and you took a part both of us with you. You did it to save that precious life we created out of love, because that's what it was. Love. You took her to ensure she didn’t share your fate. I was initially mad; I'd missed two years of her life."

Tears fall fast from my eyes, and Damian walks over to me, placing his hands on my face, his thumbs trying to wipe away the tears. Looking deep into my eyes, he continues, "But then I felt pride! So, fucking proud because you put her before everyone and anyone. You continued school, got your degree, all while working your ass off, and you were an amazing mother to our daughter, even teaching her about her Russian and Italian heritage.

I know I hurt you, and I know our families hurt you, but we all hurt, too. We're ashamed, but know this: I will never regret agreeing to the arrangement because I wouldn't have had you as my best friend or the love of my life, which would have been a travesty. Do you hear me? I love you, all our parents love you, even your mother, who had a horrible way of showing it. Sergi loves you."

He gets cut off by Alexandr who adds, "I love you, too,” causing me to giggle.

Damian shakes his head but continues, "The idiot loves you. I know you coming home is just a way for you to see if you can trust us, but you have to know I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure I don't lose you or our daughter. Without you two, I can't breathe." He lays his forehead against mine, then whispers, "I am bound to you for eternity, forever, and always."

A sob breaks free as he kisses my forehead, then releases me, letting my father walk over to me and grab me in a hug. I tense at first, but as my father starts apologizing over and over, I relax and sob uncontrollably, not only because of how much hurt I've been but also because of how much I have missed my family.

He cups my face. "I know you are mad at her; you have every right to be. Heck, I'm struggling to agree with counseling after hearing what she put you through, especially knowing it was my fault for not communicating properly with your mother. But maybe in a week or so, you could sit down and talk with your mother. She loves you, she's just been on a downward spiral because of my blindness."

I look him in the eyes and see his sincerity. I know my mother has struggled, it's why I begged her to get help on my wedding day. I nod, and he gives me a sad smile, then holds me tight.

"I'm going to head home. Your mother and I have a lot more to discuss. I'll see you in a few days, okay? Maybe we can have dinner at Thai High, your favorite Thai place?" I just nod, and he places a kiss on my forehead and whispers, "You were never a bargaining chip. I just knew you and Damian were perfect for each other. I knew you could bring the man out of him. I don't care about everything else. I honestly thought he'd make you happy and vice versa. I only told him to cheat if that's what he wanted because I honestly thought he'd do the opposite. But if he hurts you again, I'll kill him myself."

I choke on a sob, and nod before he leaves.

Alexandr walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. "How about we head on home to our girl, yeah?" I hear Damian growl, causing me to giggle again. I nod and start to walk to the door. Damian intercepts me and pulls me close.

"I have a few business errands to run, then I'll be home, and we can start talking, okay? I won't lose you again, malyshka. I love you." I nod against his chest, knowing what the errand really means: “killing Candice and her father.” I'm not stupid. I know what took Alexandr so long to join us here. I can't say I'm too sad about that.

I lean up on my tippy toes, give him and myself a little hope, and place a small kiss on his lips, leaving him stunned as I walk out of his office, heading to the elevators with Alexandr hot on my heels.