It was only then that Lykos’s words registered.Future wife?I sure as hell hope this wasn’t a proposal, because timing and circumstances sucked big-time.
“Your father was the reason I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t hurt another man for you,” Lykos said. “He’s a threat to you, Aria, my family and friends, and to my business.”
“That’s right,” Salvatore chimed in. “That fucker cost us our shipment last month. All because he wanted to get to Aria through Lykos and his business.”
“What… Is that true, Lykos?”
He nodded. “He… found out about her somehow,” he muttered under his breath. “Dick Freud has to go.”
I knew he was right, but seeing my father’s beaten body was a shock to the system. My code of conduct was to not hurt anyone, yet in the span of a few weeks, I had almost hurt a madwoman and now it would seem I was about to witness my father’s execution.
“You’re right.” I swallowed, just as Lykos let out a relieved breath. “But why are you torturing him rather than killing him?” I whispered.
“Okay, this is something for you two to discuss,” Salvatore said, then brushed past me and disappeared behind a door. Shortly after, I heard running water.
I looked at Lykos. He watched me with unreadable dark eyes. There were a few specks of blood on his throat.
“I know you’re a mobster. I’ve talked to my share of criminals,” I started. For Pete’s sake, I’d had sessions with DanteLeone, Christian DiLustro, and many others. “I don’t expect you to be a saint or anything, but I think I’m owed an explanation. I hope you don’t get off on torture.”
My father started to laugh and I startled, looking back at him. I wasn’t sure how he was still capable of any sound with the way he looked. Lykos shot across the floor and got right in his face. “Shut the fuck up, or I swear I’ll cut your dick into pieces while you watch.”
My father threw his head back and laughed harder while I stared, confused.
“You won’t tell her,” my father drawled, coughing as words left him. “But I will.”
“Shut the fuck up, Dick,” Lykos bellowed, but my father wasn’t even looking at him. His eyes darted between Aria and me, the expression in them full of hate.
“It was supposed to be you,” he said.
I blinked, my brows knitted in confusion.
Lykos’s fist flew across the air and connected with my father’s jaw. “I said shut the fuck up.”
His head flew to the side along with spittle, but that didn’t seem to stop his manic laughter.
“What do you mean it’s supposed to be me?” I breathed. Lykos went to hit him again, but I stopped him. “No, Lykos. I want to know. I need to know.”
His jaw clenched. “Violet, I don’t want this asshole hurting you. He doesn’t deserve to breathe, never mind talk to you.”
I shook my head. “He can’t hurt me. I just need to know the truth.”
He gave a terse nod, his displeasure obvious, but said nothing more.
“The kidnapper was supposed to snatchyou, Violet.” My father’s voice was full of rage and his eyes burned with disgust. “Not my Lily. You!” he screamed. His head turned in Aria’sdirection and I stepped in his way, blocking her from his view. “And that girl… your daughter. May you both be cursed, you fucking bitches.”
My mouth parted and I took a small step back.
“But you snuck out of the house,” he continued, hate lacing every word, “and you gave her that necklace. That cursed necklace.”
My hand went to the pendant. “You gifted it to me.”
His lip curled with disgust and something ugly and terrifying.
“It was to mark you. So they knew which daughter was disposable,” he spat, hatred lacing every word.
The word disposable sent an echo through me, building up my dread.
Then he let out a howling sound that sent shivers down my spine. It was a broken kind of sound that left ice in its wake.
