A BRIDE FOR FATHER.
1156 Words
LUCA POV.
“You stay away from my baby.” Scarlett shot to her feet, cuffed hands clenched, eyes blazing through the tears on her cheeks. “She has nothing to do with this!”
Her voice shook, but her glare didn’t. And something in me cracked. I shouldn’t care. I don’t care. But watching her break like that? Damn it. I felt it. Right there in my chest.
“Sit down, Scarlett,” I said—softer than I meant to.
She didn’t budge. “You’re not the boss of me! Don’t you dare order me around!” she snapped, loud and sharp. “I’ve had enough!”
She raised her voice. At me. I stepped in, grabbed her chin, not rough—but firm enough.
“Listen to me. You’re only breathing right now because I let you.”
She tried to kick me—bold move—but I caught it before it landed. One gentle shove to her legs and she hit the floor.
“Just kill me already!” she sobbed. “We both know I’m not saying anything!”
I stared at her. The girl who tried to end my life— and yet… She was crying. And f**k, it did something to me.
“Stop crying.” My voice dropped. Softer this time. But she didn’t stop.
And I snapped. “Look—I’m not keeping you alive ‘cause I need answers, okay? I know the Black Scorpions sent you. I’m keeping you alive because they sent you to die, Scarlett.”
She froze. Slowly stood up. “What?” she whispered. “Stop spitting nonsense. Bryan would never do that.”
“Bryan? That your boyfriend?” I asked, stepping back. But the way she said it, there was something there.
“Don’t f*****g question me!” she yelled, charging at me. She was all fire now. Standing right in front of me. Eyes blazing into mine.
“And don’t you ever speak about my people like that. They’re not like you. You kill your own men—”
“To save you?” I interrupted, clenching my fist. How dare she be so ungrateful? “Scarlett, do you know who I am?”
“I don’t care who you are!” she screamed. “Just cause you’re rich, or powerful, or whatever, doesn’t mean you get to control everyone!”
That one hit me. Not because she was right— I do control everything and everyone under me. But because she didn’t know.
She doesn’t know what I’ve lost— who I’ve become. Or why I can’t afford weakness. She tried to kill me. And I should hate her, but I don’t. I hate that I don’t.
Her guts, her defiance… they drive me insane. And yet, I’m drawn to her like a f*****g drug.
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Logan rushed in, face tight.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He hesitated. “Boss… your father just arrived.”
“What?” My stomach dropped.
Oh, God! Not him. Not now.
****
The moment I stepped into the dining hall, I knew it was real. Not one of Logan’s games— not a prank.
Emilio Moretti—my father. The man who once ruled every corner of the underworld. Even in retirement, his name still held weight.
He was seated casually, scrolling his phone, as a few of my men bowed to him.
He looked up. “Oh, my big boy!” His smile stretched wide. “Won’t you give father a hug?”
Fuck—I didn’t trust that smile.
“Good afternoon, Father,” I said, stiff. “It’s… nice to see you again.”
“Oh, come on, son. Don’t be so stiff. Come here.”
He stood, arms wide like we were some happy family.
I had no choice. Not with my men watching. Not with his men surrounding us. I stepped in, hugged him.
He leaned in. Voice low. “How come your wife isn’t here to greet her father-in-law? Thought we had an agreement, Luca.”
My chest tightened—s**t. We broke the hug. I stepped back, careful.
“Father… I couldn’t get a bride—”
He moved faster than I remembered. A gun was out and pointed at my head, and his men followed.
My men twitched, but one glare from me kept them still.
No one raises a gun to him. That would mean war.
“Father…”
“Don’t father me!” His voice boomed. “I asked for a bride. For an heir. I’m not immortal, Luca. I need a grandchild before I die!”
“I understand, but—marriage isn’t on my list right now. You have to calm down.”
He didn’t lower the gun. The click of him c*****g it sent chills through me.
“I don’t have that much time.”
He wasn’t bluffing. He never bluffed. I knew what he was capable of. I’ve seen him kill for less. One wrong move… and I’d be another body in this room.
Then he said it— “Or perhaps the rumors are true?”
My heart froze. “What rumors?”
“You… and your sister.”
Fuck.
He knew. How?
“If I even find out it’s more than a rumor,” he growled, “I’ll dig your grave with my own hands, Luca.”
I couldn’t speak. My brain raced, calculating. I could fight him. Grab his gun. Maybe even take him hostage so I can escape from his men. But what about Valentina?
Then her voice cut through the air. “Father! You’re back!”
Valentina entered, smiling like this was a goddamn reunion party.
“What’s with the gun?” she said, feigning shock. “Please, calm down, Father. You just got here.”
I glanced at her. Now wasn’t the time.
But she ignored me. “Guys, relax! You’re scaring the new bride,” she said with a wink.
Everyone froze.
“What bride?” my father and I said at the same time.
“She had a fight with Luca,” Valentina said quickly. “Stormed off. I had to convince her to come back. It was dramatic.”
She laughed awkwardly. I couldn’t tell if she was saving me or setting me up. But my father bought it—atleast for now.
“Well then,” he said. “Bring her in. I want to meet my daughter-in-law.” He lowered his gun. His men followed.
Valentina clapped. “Bride, you can come out now!”
Every eye turned to the entrance. Heels clicked against the floor. A figure stepped out, dressed in an elegant gold gown that shimmered with every move. Curves hugged by silk, her full pink lips tempting. Who’s this woman?
But as my eyes trailed up and met her face, my breath caught.
“Scarlett? How…?”
- Writer
