26. Tyson

26

TYSON

M arco leads me into Jimmy’s study. The mob boss stands by his window, silhouette dark against the city lights below. His shoulders are tense, hands clasped behind his back.

“You’ve got some fucking nerve coming here.” Jimmy’s voice cuts through the silence.

“We need to talk about what happened.”

He whirls around, his face contorted with rage. “Talk? You killed my future son-in-law, you piece of shit! Made a grave mistake there.”

“It was self-defense.” I keep my voice steady. “Paulie came at me with a gun, threatening to kill me.”

“Because I sent him!” Jimmy slams his fist on his desk. “You touched my daughter. Nobody touches her.”

“Speaking of your daughter...” I take a calculated step forward. “Remember who saved her life? You owe me for that.”

“I don’t owe you shit.” Jimmy’s lip curls. “You think that gives you the right to fuck my daughter? She’s not for some lowlife carnie.”

“Paulie’s dead. Things have changed.”

“Nothing’s changed.” Jimmy’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Get your carnival out of my town. Tonight. Before I expose every dirty operation you’re running and leave you with nothing.”

“Jimmy—”

“I mean it, Tyson. You’re done here. And you’re done with my daughter.”

I maintain my composure, though my blood boils at his dismissal. “Let’s talk business then. There must be a way we can work this out.”

“Business?” Jimmy scoffs, pouring himself a whiskey. “You’ve got nothing I want.”

“I can pay for her hand.” I watch his reaction carefully. “The carnival’s just a front. You know that. My operation brings in millions each month.”

Jimmy takes a long sip, studying me over the rim of his glass. “You think I give a fuck about money? I’ve got more than enough.”

“Then name your price. Whatever it takes.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” He sets down his glass with a sharp crack. “This isn’t about money or business. It’s about legacy. The Moretti name means something in this city. Has for generations.”

“And what exactly is wrong with my name?”

“Your name?” He barks out a laugh. “What name? You’re a fucking carnie who sells drugs. No history, family connections, or respect in the circles that matter.”

“The same circles that buy their drugs from me? ”

“That’s business.” Jimmy’s face hardens. “This is family. My daughter deserves better than some upstart criminal hiding behind a circus tent.”

“I love her.”

“Love?” He spits the word like poison. “Love doesn’t mean shit in our world. Status, power, connections—that’s what builds empires. That’s what protects families. What can you offer besides dirty money and a traveling freak show?”

My jaw clenches. Everything I’ve built, everything I’ve accomplished, is meaningless to him. But I won’t let him dismiss what Sofia and I have. “She chose me.”

“She doesn’t know what she wants. And even if she did, it doesn’t matter. In our world, daughters don’t choose. Fathers do.”

I pull out my phone and check the time. “Is that your final answer, Jimmy? Because in exactly thirty minutes, my man will release everything we have on you to every news outlet in the country.”

“Bullshit.” But there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

“You think I came here unprepared?” I scroll through my phone, turning it to show him. “These documents detail every transaction, every dirty deal, every murder you’ve ordered. Bank records, witness statements, photographs—everything.”

Jimmy’s face drains of color as he swipes through the evidence. His hand trembles slightly.

“I wanted to do this the right way.” I take my phone back. “Ask for her hand like a gentleman. But you wouldn’t listen to reason. ”

“You’re bluffing.” His voice lacks conviction.

“Twenty-eight minutes now.” I pull up a live feed of Phoenix at his computer, finger hovering over the enter key. “One text from me, and he hits send. Your empire crumbles and your reputation is destroyed. The Moretti name becomes synonymous with scandal.”

Jimmy slumps into his chair, sweat beading on his forehead. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” I lean forward, placing both hands on his desk. “All I want is Sofia. Let me walk out of here with her unharmed, and these files disappear forever. Your choice.”

His eyes dart between my phone and face, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, he loosens his tie with shaking fingers.

“You ruthless bastard.”

“I learned from the best.” I check my watch again. “Twenty-five minutes, Jimmy. What’s it going to be?”

Jimmy’s shoulders sag in defeat. He reaches for the intercom on his desk and presses the button with trembling fingers.

“Marco, get my daughter. Bring her here.”

The minutes drag as we wait in tense silence. Instead, Jimmy won’t look at me, fixating on his half-empty whiskey glass. The door opens, and Sofia steps in, Marco hovering behind her. Her eyes widen when she sees me.

“Sofia.” Jimmy’s voice is cold. “This... man wants to take you away from here. Is that what you want?”

She glances between us, confusion evident on her face before understanding dawns. “Yes,” she says without hesitation. “Yes, I want to go with Tyson.”

Jimmy’s face twists with disgust. “Then get out. You’re no daughter of mine. Don’t ever show your face here again, you ungrateful little?—”

“Watch how you speak to my girl.” I cut him off, my voice sharp enough to make Marco’s hand twitch toward his gun. “She deserves your respect, even if you’re too blind to see it.”

Sofia moves to my side, her hand finding mine. The warmth of her touch steadies me, keeping me from doing something I might regret.

“Let’s go, baby girl,” I murmur, squeezing her hand. As we turn to leave, Jimmy’s bitter voice follows us.

“You’re making a mistake, Sofia. Running off with this circus trash. Don’t come crying when he shows you what he is.”

I guide Sofia down the winding driveway, my arm wrapped protectively around her waist. The night air feels electric with victory, and her warmth against my side makes everything worth it. As we approach my black Mustang, I spot Nash and Colt’s familiar silhouettes lounging against either side of the car.

“You’re safe now.” I kiss her temple as we reach the car. “No one’s going to hurt you again.”

Nash’s signature smirk plays across his face while Colt crosses his arms. Both are pleased with how smoothly the operation went.

“Sofia, meet Nash and Colt - two of my most trusted guys.” I gesture to each of them. “They helped make tonight possible. ”

“Hi,” Nash gives her a slight nod.

“Welcome to the family,” Colt adds with a wink.

I fish my keys from my pocket. “You two mind grabbing an Uber back to the carnival? I got to take my girl to get her things from her place.”

“No problem, boss.” Nash pushes off the car, already pulling out his phone.

“Take care, as Jimmy may have submitted for now, but he’ll be out for blood,” Colt says as he straightens up.

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter, opening the passenger door for Sofia and helping her slide into the leather seat before rounding to the driver’s side. I watch Nash and Colt heading down the street through the windshield, already deep in conversation.

As I slide into the driver’s seat, Sofia turns to me, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“How did you convince my dad to let me go? He never backs down.”

I start the engine, the Mustang’s powerful rumble filling the silence. “Let’s just say Phoenix has some impressive skills with computers.”

“What do you mean?”

“He dug deep into your father’s private files.” I pull away from the mansion, watching the imposing gates shrink in my rearview mirror. “Found enough dirt to bury Jimmy ten times over. Bank records, proof of murders, every dirty deal he’s ever made - all documented.”

“You blackmailed him?” Her voice holds a mix of shock and admiration .

“Had to play dirty to win. I threatened to release everything to the media if he didn’t let you go.” I reach over and take her hand, threading our fingers together. “And it was worth it to get you out of there.”

Sofia grabs my hand and squeezes. “Thank you, Ty. For coming for me and not giving up.”

I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles. “I’ll always come for you, baby girl. No matter what.”

Her breath catches, and the air between us crackles with electricity. Her green eyes pierce straight through my defenses, making my heart race like some lovesick teenager.

“You risked everything for me.” She shifts in her seat to face me. “Your business, the carnival, maybe even your life.”

“And I’d do it again.” The words come out raw and honest. “You’re worth more than all of it.”

I never planned on falling this hard, this fast. Not far off turning forty, I thought I was beyond this all-consuming need for another person. But Sofia... she’s different. Everything about her calls to something deep inside me—her fierce spirit, that brilliant mind, and how she challenges me while still trusting me completely.

“I’ve never felt like this before,” I admit, keeping my eyes on the road because looking at her right now might break what little control I have left. “You’ve gotten under my skin. Made me want things I never thought I wanted or deserved.”

Her fingers tighten around mine. “What things? ”

“Everything. A real life. A future.” I swallow hard. “Love.”

The word hangs between us, heavy with meaning. I’ve spent years building walls, protecting myself from this vulnerability. But Sofia walked right through them like they were nothing.

My grip tightens on the steering wheel. Jimmy’s surrender came too easy. A man like him doesn’t just roll over and accept defeat, especially not when it comes to his only daughter. He’ll be plotting his revenge right now, probably already making calls to his connections across the state.

The carnival gives us mobility since we can pack up and move within hours. But it also makes us visible because it’s hard to hide a whole damn circus. I’ll need to get Phoenix to strengthen our digital security and maybe set up some false trails. Lars and the boys will have to increase security, and we’ll need extra muscle for the shows. Can’t risk Jimmy’s men slipping in among the crowds.

He might try to hurt Sofia to get to me or target my operation to cripple our income. Hell, he might even try to expose our drug running to the feds just to watch everything burn. Fifteen years of building this empire, and now it’s all balanced on a knife’s edge because I couldn’t stay away from his daughter.

But looking at her now, I know I’d risk it all again. We’ll need to be ready, though. Every exit route needs to be planned and every contingency covered. Jimmy Moretti didn’t become the most powerful man in Dawsbury by letting people walk all over him. When he strikes back—and he will strike back—it’ll be with everything he’s got.