Page 40 of Married to the Devil

June’s going through a lot. I understand her anger and confusion. I can’t even blame her for hating me right now.

She didn’t ask for this marriage.

Though I didn’t either.

Taking a wife was never my plan. I wanted to grow old and pass control of the family over to one of my younger brothers or one of their children. After what happened, I never dreamed I’d bring life into this world.

I don’t create. I’ve only ever destroyed.

But now my daughter’s here, living under the same roof as me for the first time, and it’s strange. I keep thinking about June…

But I also keep obsessing about Hattie.

How am I supposed to be a father?

I raised my brothers, that’s true, but it was different back then.

Our lives were hard. With my parents burned, the remainder of the family was left to me. I wasn’t ready, but fortunately, there were people to help.

Like Ignazio: he’s been the Corvino accountant since I was a baby. He and a few other old-timers stepped up to show me the ropes in those early days.

While I was learning how to be the Don, I was also learning how to take care of my brothers.

Silas wasn’t hard. He’s not too much younger than me. But there are twelve years between me and Devlin, and I think losing our parents hurt him the most.

He grew up in blood and struggle.

While death’s mantle was forced onto my shoulders.

Can I really bring my daughter up like that? She’s a normal girl. A sweet little girl, from what I can tell. Not a part of this life, not a hardened monster like me and the others had to be.

Doesn’t she deserve better than a man that only knows how to hurt?

My thoughts are bleak as I head back to the house.

Soldiers salute as I pass. I nod in return. Nunzio meets me at the door.

“Report.”

He falls in at my side. “Sir, all quiet so far today. Your wife and daughter made their way to the wall⁠—“

“What were they doing that far from the house?”

“Exploring, I believe. I warned them not to do it again.”

“Where are they now?”

“Your daughter is in her room watching shows. Your wife is in your room.”

“Thank you, that will be all.”

“Sir—“ Nunzio pauses at my expression. I don’t like being questioned and I hate when I’m interrupted. When I dismiss an underling, I expect them to be gone. Nunzio clears his throat. “How long will this last, sir?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Babysitting, sir. You know I’m worth more⁠—“

I give him a withering look and he shuts his mouth, jaw tense. I hold his gaze until he lowers his to the floor.