Chapter Seven

The moment Maddox, Matteo, and Amo had left the office, I moved toward Dad.

“Don’t give me that look, Marci. He doesn’t understand our values or our rules. Bikers live a life of promiscuity and unsteadiness. Family doesn’t mean anything to them, marriage close to nothing. I stand by my opinion. He’s not worthy of you.”

“Many Made Men cheat on their wives. Is that how they prove how much they care about their family? What kind of values do they have?”

Dad shook his head. “That’s not the point. I want a husband for you who treats you like a queen. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect you.”

“Neither would I,” I said firmly. “Do you really think I’d let Maddox cheat on me? Or treat me badly in any other way? I’d kick his ass.”

“He kidnapped you.”

“Dad,” I said, annoyed. “We discussed that. That’s the past, and Maddox paid for it, and he’ll prove himself over the next months and years. I don’t have a doubt in my body about it.”

“You’ll face plenty of backlash for being with someone like him. The press, the other women, our circle overall, they won’t take it kindly. I’ll try my best to keep the rumors down, but even my power has its limits when it comes to a scandal of this enormity.”

“I can handle it. People will badmouth me either way. I know what people will say. Many will gloat when they see my ear and tattoo. I won’t allow them to make me feel bad.”

Dad’s expression was murderous. “If I catch anyone gloating, they won’t see the next day.”

“It’s time for me to protect myself. At the mayor’s party, I’ll show them all that I don’t care about their opinion.”

Dad touched my cheek. “You are so much stronger than I thought, but I’ll always try to protect you as long as I live.”

“I know, Dad, but you don’t have to protect me from Maddox.”

Dad still didn’t look convinced.

“You have to trust me in this. And promise you won’t ever do anything that could lead to Maddox’s death.”

“That’s a promise I can’t give. If he cooperates with us, every mission he goes on could pose a threat to his life.”

I gave him an annoyed look. “That’s not what I mean. Don’t try to have Maddox killed. You’re hurting me by doing this.”

Dad sighed. “I always wanted you to grow into a strong-willed woman. If I’d known this would be the end result, I might have reconsidered.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You called me Marcella for a reason.”

Dad kissed my forehead with another sigh. “You’re right, but no matter how strong of a woman you’ve become, you’ll always be my little girl and I’ll kill anyone who hurts you.”

I raised an eyebrow expectantly.

“But I promise not to have Maddox killed in any way again—unless he does anything to hurt you.”

I knew I wouldn’t get a better promise out of Dad and so I nodded.

“Maddox and I need to spend time together to get past what happened,” I began but Dad interrupted me.

“I don’t want you alone with him.”

“I was allowed to be alone with Giovanni, even though we weren’t married yet.”

“Because he was trustworthy.”

“You mean scared of you.”

“Maddox doesn’t care about our values.”

“You mean you’re worried he’ll ruin my chances of presenting bloody sheets,” I said bitterly.

Dad gave me a look. “You don’t have to lie to me. Maybe I try to ignore you growing up, but I’m not blind.”

I swallowed. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t be Capo without reading people. I see how you and he look at each other,” Dad said.

“Oh,” I whispered, my cheeks heating. “Are you disappointed?”

Dad sighed, sinking down on the edge of the desk to be eye level with me. “Princess, I overruled the bloody sheets tradition for you, but I can’t deny it, if it were up to me, you would have gone to a nunnery.”

I laughed. “Dad…”

His expression became solemn. “A father wants to protect his daughter from harm. I hoped you’d find a man who’d treat you right. Not your kidnapper.”

I really didn’t want to talk about sex with my father, but I didn’t want this burden to rest on his shoulders as well. “Maddox is that man. He never treated me badly, Dad. I’m not lying, all right?”

He nodded but I could tell he was still doubtful.

“Mom said you named me Marcella after your grandmother because you wanted me to be as strong as the goddess of war. You never wanted me to bow to a man, to be forced into a marriage. I chose Maddox. Let it be my choice whom I love. Let it be my choice whom I marry.”

“Your mother said the same to me. Why are you girls making my life so difficult?”

I leaned against him. “Allow me to see Maddox at his place and to visit me at home.”

“Not alone,” Dad said in a steely voice. “I want Amo or Matteo to accompany you. Once Maddox has proven himself, he can come over to our house and then later you might be allowed to visit him alone as well.”

I nodded grudgingly, knowing when to retreat—for the moment. Mom and I would eventually convince him anyway. If Maddox could win Mom’s heart.

“I really hope you find the happiness you deserve with Maddox. If he’s really willing to give up the freedom and lifestyle that comes with MC life for you, then I might one day accept him.”

“And stop wanting him dead,” I said. “Is there any chance you’re going to apologize to Maddox?”

Dad’s expression became stone.

“All right. It was worth a try.”

The voices outside grew in volume. Dad stalked toward the door and I followed him. Maddox and Amo were caught up in an argument and grappling.

“Enough!” I shouted.

Maddox and Amo glanced my way, then at Dad, and took a step away from each other. “What’s going on here?” I asked.

Amo rubbed his forehead with a furious look but didn’t say anything. I glanced at Maddox. “Just clearing up a few things.”

I let out a frustrated groan. “Can’t you just try to get along for me?”

“You’re asking a lot,” Matteo said. “That we’re even in the same room together with our bowels safely stowed inside our bodies shows you how much we care about you.”

One of Maddox’s head wounds had burst open again and was dripping blood down his forehead. I walked over to him. “Let me see.”

I pulled his head down and inspected the cut. It wasn’t very deep. “You should get stitches.”

“It’ll heal by itself. I don’t go to doctors.”

“I could do it,” Matteo said with a shrug.

Maddox grimaced. “Yeah, right. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I want any of you near my head with a needle.”

I gave him a look. I didn’t want them to start provoking each other again. “All right,” I said. “I think we need to discuss how Maddox and I can work together.”

“Maddox will work with Matteo or trusted soldiers, not with you. I want you to lay low for a while until you’ve really gotten over the kidnapping.”

Marcella’s expression became frosty. Vitiello really couldn’t stop coddling her.

“Dad,” Marcella said impatiently. “I don’t need to get over anything, and even if I did, it would help me if I could make sure the men who worked for Earl are eliminated. Hiding at home won’t make me feel better in any way. And it won’t improve my standing among our men if you treat me like I can’t take care of myself. You have to trust me if you want your men to take me seriously.”

“I trust you and my men will eventually see how clever you are, but it’s crucial that they don’t resent us for working with a White. That’s why we have to introduce our cooperation slowly.” Vitiello looked my way. “And first I need you to tell me everything about the men you talked to in the last few days. They’re in my territory and thus pose a threat.”

“The men my brother’s with aren’t a threat. They were never in favor of the kidnapping and turned Nomad before it went down.”

“Not all of them,” Matteo butted in. “Your brother and that Gunnar guy were part of our welcome party when we attacked your clubhouse and I assume you talked to both.”

I gritted my teeth. “They aren’t a danger. I think it would be good to consider recruiting them to help us. My standing among many bikers isn’t the best right now, thanks to you leaking the information about Earl, but Gunnar and these other guys could talk to other clubs for us and gather new information. And once the dust has settled over the thing with Earl, I can start talking to other clubs and maybe look for new co-operations for you.”

I was being selfish. I wanted the Famiglia to cooperate with MCs, so I could stay in touch with the lifestyle I loved.

“No,” Luca said firmly. “That’s out of the question. I don’t want any co-operations with other motorcycle clubs or with former Tartarus members. I’m not even sure I want you working for us, but I definitely won’t have more people around I don’t trust.”

I bit back an insult. I had half a mind to tell Vitiello to suck his dick. The only reason why I even considered helping him and the Famiglia was Marcella.

Marcella stepped between us as if she feared Luca and I would attack each other. “Maddox is an asset. Without him, you couldn’t have landed the hit on Tartarus. Maddox is right, we should let him bring together the Tartarus men who left before the kidnapping or were against it. We can use insiders if we want to eliminate the rest of our enemies within the biker scene.”

I stifled a smile at Marcella’s stubbornness. She fought for me and herself like a lioness.

“You really think he’s going to be faithful to you once he’s back to his biker lifestyle? That’s why he probably wants to recruit his old biker buddies,” Amo said.

“He’s present and I’m not a wild animal. Marcella is a woman that compels any man to be loyal.”

“Not that it is any of your business how Maddox and I handle our relationship, Amo. I don’t tell you how to treat your one-night-stands either.” She turned to Luca. “And you, Dad, should really consider Maddox’s suggestion. I think it’s a great idea.”

Silence in the room.

“Marcella, as everyone else, you are bound to my judgment, especially when you become part of the business. It’s my word that counts and you’ll have to abide by it.”

Marcella swallowed but gave a sharp nod.

“If I recruit bikers for some of your runs, that would get your soldiers out of the line of fire, right?” I said. “For now, I’ll help you track down possible dangers and while I’m at it, I’ll keep an eye open for possible allies. The Bratva has been cooperating with MCs before and it can help you as well.”

Luca ignored my comment. “Growl told me you didn’t want to take me up on my offer to live in one of my apartments?”

I didn’t miss the heavy note of suspicion in his voice.

“I changed my mind. But I want to pay rent. I don’t want any pittance. I’ll earn the money I spent with honest work.”

“If you want to earn money with honest work, you’re in the wrong place,” Matteo said with a chuckle.

I couldn’t help but laugh. The asshole was too crazy for my taste but his humor often was on point. He and Marcella fell in. Only Luca and Amo looked as if they had bitten into something sour.

Luca stepped forward and I tensed. Fuck, I doubted I’d ever feel at ease in his presence—unless I had a gun in my hand, which probably wouldn’t make Marcella happy.

His gaze could have frozen hell. “I’m not the forgiving type, White. The only reason why you’re here today is because Marcella begged me to spare you. If you mess with Marcella or me, nothing in this world or beyond can stop me from giving you an excruciating end, got it?”

“Dad,” Marcella whispered, her eyes going wide.

My initial reaction was to lash out but I held back for Marcella. “I’ll treat Marcella like a queen. And I’ll treat you with the same respect you show me. So far, you are the only one who’s tried to have me killed despite your word. I want us to work together for Marcella. I’m sick of revenge. What about you?”

Luca gritted his teeth but then he gave a sharp nod. Amo shook his head, giving his sister a doubtful look. A bruise was forming on his forehead, giving me a feeling of sick satisfaction.

“I’ll see what I can do about a place for you to live,” Luca said in a clipped voice, picking up his phone. He walked a few steps away so he could talk without us listening in. I couldn’t help but be wary of his secrecy. I could only hope Marcella’s words had gone through to him. I doubted I could overlook another attempt on my life even for Marcella.

Marcella gave me a small smile but she didn’t move closer like I wished she would. Not being able to touch her was making this even harder.

Luca turned back to us and pushed his cell back into his pocket. “Growl’s waiting outside to show you the apartment, if you want it.”

I nodded, even if I despised the idea of living in a mob-owned place.

“And rent’s two grand per month,” Matteo added with a grin.

“I hope the place is worth that much money.”

“You are in New York not in Never Jersey, White,” Amo muttered.

I flipped him the bird which actually made his lips twitch before his expression hardened.

“Living in one of your places, I suppose Marcella is allowed to spend the night?”

The look on Luca’s face might have made me shit my pants if I wasn’t hardened to his madness.

Marcella crossed the room and lightly touched my upper arm. “Why don’t you go ahead and grab a drink at the bar while I have another word with my father?”

The urgency in her voice made me nod. Would she always have to be the mediator between her family and me? That would get tiresome soon.

She quickly stepped back before I had the chance to kiss her, which I would have done right in front of her old man. I met his furious gaze before I turned on my heel and left.

Matteo and Amo followed me. I chanced a look at them over my shoulder. “Is my comment going to earn me a weighted dive in the Hudson or why are you creeping up on me?”

“If you’d take a weighted dive in the Hudson, Luca would want to be the one to dump you in, White, no worries,” Matteo said.

“That’s a consolation,” I muttered and took a seat at the bar on the ground floor.

Amo leaned against the bar beside me. “You realize you’ll have to marry my sister if you want to get in her pants?”

You mean, again? I almost asked but stifled the impulse in the last second, but Matteo had obviously caught on. He smiled harshly. “White, Luca might be willing to bend the rules a bit for Marcella, but don’t think we’ll abandon our traditions for you.”

Marriage had never really crossed my mind before. Most bikers in Tartarus lived with their old ladies without marrying. Of course, I knew of the strict traditions the Famiglia abided to. I’d never expected me to get involved with them. Maybe Marcella really wanted to wait until we were married to have sex again. Fuck, was I ready to marry? And would she even want to marry me?

I could only imagine the scandal that would cause. The princess of New York marrying a dirty biker. The odds seemed stacked up against us. I really needed to talk to her alone. For the first time I realized how little we knew about each other. The only thing I was certain of was that being with Marcella felt right.