Page 102 of Sinful Bride

I walk quickly, keeping my head down and not looking back at the building. The car arrives just as I reach the corner, and I slide into the back seat, giving the driver the address of the Capetti estate.

"Long drive," the driver says, pulling into traffic. "You heading out to the suburbs?"

"Yes." I keep my voice steady. "Family business."

I spend the entire drive rehearsing what I'm going to say to my father, how I'm going to explain that I can't go through with his plan. That I've fallen for Declan despite everything, that I want to make this marriage work, and I need him to release me from this impossible obligation.

I don't let myself think about what will happen if he refuses or the possibility that he won't listen. He might see my feelings for Declan as a weakness to exploit rather than a reason to let me go.

I just sit in the back of the car, watching the city give way to suburbs, rehearsing my words over and over in my head and trying to find the right combination of logic and emotion that might convince him.

I get out of the car when I arrive and walk up the front steps. The door opens before I can knock, and one of my father's men gives me a surprised look.

"Miss Elena. We weren't expecting you."

"I need to speak with my father," I say, keeping my voice steady. "Is he in his office?"

"He is, but⁠—"

"Thank you." I move past him into the house and walk through the hallways toward my father's office, my heart pounding harder with every step. I don't let myself hesitate or second-guess this decision. I just keep moving forward until I'm standing outside his door. I knock twice, firm and clear.

"Come in."

I push the door open and step inside. My father is seated behind his desk, reading something on his computer screen. He glances up when I enter, and his expression shifts from mild curiosity to something sharper. "Elena." He leans back in his chair, studying me. "This is unexpected."

"I need to talk to you." I close the door behind me and move to stand in front of his desk. "About Declan and the plan. We’ll ignore the fact that you tried to have me kidnapped," I add, but he doesn’t even flinch at that.

His eyebrows rise slightly. "The plan."

"The assassination." I lift my chin. "I can't do it. I won't do it."

For a long moment, he just looks at me. Then he smiles a slow, cold smile that makes my blood run cold. "Sit down, Elena."

"Papa—"

"Sit. Down."

I sit, my hands folded in my lap, trying to keep my composure. He watches me for another moment, then stands and moves to the bar cart in the corner of the room. He pours himself a glass of whiskey, takes a slow sip, and turns back to face me. "You can't do it," he repeats, his tone almost amused. "Or you won't do it?"

"Both." I lift my chin, meeting his gaze. "I've tried, Father. I've had opportunities. But I can't pull the trigger. And I don't want to. I've found something real in this marriage. Something worth keeping. I want to make it work."

He takes another sip of whiskey, his expression unreadable. "You've fallen in love with him."

It's not a question. I don't bother denying it.

"How touching." He sets his glass down on the desk and leans against the edge, crossing his arms over his chest. "And you came here to tell me this because you thought I'd do what? Release you from your obligation? Give you my blessing to live happily ever after with the Irish upstart?"

"I came here to tell you that I can't be part of this anymore." My voice is steady, even though my hands are shaking. "I won't kill him. I won't help you destroy him. If you want him dead, you'll have to find another way."

He laughs, genuinely amused. "Oh, Elena. My sweet, naive daughter. You think you have a choice in this?"

My stomach drops. "What?"

"You've already played your part perfectly." He moves back around the desk and sits down, picking up his whiskey again. "Better than I could have hoped, actually. The kidnapping was supposed to kill him, quick, clean, no connection back to us. I thought he’d follow you out and the men would take care of him, and then bring him back here. But when that failed, I realized we had something even better."

"I don't understand⁠—"

"You're the bait, Elena." He says it so casually, like he's discussing the weather. "You're sitting here, in my house, and your husband knows it. Or he will soon enough, once his men realize you've left the penthouse. And when he finds out you're here, what do you think he's going to do?"