Page 4 of Daddy's Mad Love

I’d learned quite a bit about my pretty bride over the past few weeks.

Initially, I’d meant to approach her and take her on a few dates before revealing who I really was, but only a few days of observation had deterred me from that course. Any hint of mafia connection to any of her clients, and she passed them on to another social worker. She’d also been flirting with the blond piker standing next to her. If he had any courage at all, he’d have told me to get my hands off her, but he just stood there like a lump.

Instead of taking her out and getting to know her before telling her the truth, I decided to keep everything until the last minute. She’d had extra time to enjoy her life, though she didn’t know it. Perhaps eventually, she’d be properly grateful.

A demonstration of power was called for to show her she would have nowhere to run once I claimed her. To break the rose-colored glasses through which she viewed the world. Once she accepted the world as it really was, she would more easily accept her position at my side.

Perhaps another man would have married her, then closeted her away, but that wasn’t me. I wanted a partnership like my father had with my mother, and after watching Hailey for the past few weeks, I had no doubts she could give me that. She was a strong dame, a force unto herself, and she would be utterly wasted, tucked away in a heavily guarded mansion with nothing more to do than bear my children.

I’d rather have her rule as a queen by my side, though not in the bedroom. I’d be more than a king there—I was going to be her Daddy. It was a perversion I’d discovered within myself a few years ago. I liked being called Daddy, and I liked having total and utter control over my bed partner. I meant to have all of that and more with my wife.

I was looking forward to the more intimate aspects of our marriage. The sad-eyed girl was gone, grown into a regular looker. Her auburn hair was pulled back into coils at the back of her head. I was glad to see the long locks hadn’t been cut short. Hazel eyes sparkled with intelligence and fear, pert nose tipped up slightly, and pouty lips begged to be kissed.

Current fashion did nothing to show off her curves, but I was looking forward to uncovering whatever was there. Hailey had a well of untapped sensuality, seething beneath her prim and proper surface. I didn’t blame Officer Ward for his attraction to her, but that ended now.

“I would love to ask you a few questions.” I didn’t phrase it as a request. Turning my attention back to Chief Barnes, I ignored the gentle tugging as she tried inconspicuously to pull her fingers free. I shifted my stance, coming to her side and using my grip on her hand to pull her arm through mine, placing her fingers on my forearm. She froze next to me, like a little mouse in the presence of a cat. Smart girl. “Chief Barnes, may I borrow one of your rooms over there?” I tipped my head back toward the interrogation rooms we’d walked by right after entering the station.

“Of course! Miss McQueen will be happy to answer any of your questions.” Chief Barnes smiled encouragingly. He was well paid to keep my father and me happy. The DiNardo Family helped to supplement his salary, and he helped us in return. We didn’t care what he did about crimes unrelated to the Familias, but all his cops knew better than to stick their noses into our business.

Something which Miss McQueen was about to learn firsthand.

2

Hailey

My heart was beating like a drum as I was reluctantly escorted to the interrogation room on the arm of Giacomo DiNardo. I refused to think of him as ‘Jack.’ It was a far too innocuous and innocent name for the son of a mafioso Don.

Fear dried the inside of my mouth as we walked through the cops, most of whom looked up and smiled at him—not the smiles of men acknowledging an acquaintance but fearful smiles of men who wanted to curry favor. I was all too familiar with those smiles.

They made me more fearful as well.

Surely, Giacomo wasn’t dragging me off to my death in a police interrogation room. That would be far too brazen. Murder in the middle of a precinct was not something that would—could—be overlooked, no matter who he was. At least, that’s what I told myself, though, by my shaking limbs, I was not entirely convinced.

Bruce, who had made me feel so safe only a few minutes ago, was left behind. He’d said nothing. Did nothing.

If I lived through this, he better not expect to have that dinner. I doubted I’d ever talk to him again, not after this, not after seeing what a coward he truly was. Maybe that wasn’t fair. It would take more than bravery to go up against someone like Giacomo DiNardo.

I desperately tried to remember everything I could about the DiNardo Family, but it had been so long since I’d had anything to do with the Familias, all I could remember was Giacomo was the Don’s only son. I’d never met or seen a picture of him, and the only reason I even knew him was his family was among the five that had divided up New York into their own territories.

Part of the reason I chose New York City as my final destination—other than its distance from Chicago, while still being familiar in many ways as only large cities could—was because I’d figured families sharing a city would be too busy warring with each other to pay attention to anything else. I certainly hadn’t expected to find one of them hobnobbing with the police.

Once we were inside the room, Giacomo’s grip on my hand loosened, and I finally yanked it away, although there was nowhere to run. There was only one door in and out of the room. A large glass window covered the side of one wall, from about the waist up, and I could see the chief strolling in to stand on the other side, Bruce following behind him.

Something inside of me relaxed. I wasn’t as alone as I thought. I was still mad at Bruce but felt a little less abandoned. After all, what was he supposed to do after Chief Barnes had given the okay? I couldn’t forget how Bruce had sucked up to Giacomo, though.

The constant back and forth of my emotions was wreaking havoc on my equilibrium. Crossing to the other side of the table in the middle of the room, putting some distance from Giacomo, I turned and took a deep breath to balance myself. Standing in front of the now-closed door, the mafia heir crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze intent like a hawk’s, studying my every movement.

“What can I do for you, Mr. DiNardo?” I tilted my chin up, proud my voice didn’t waver. Even though I was scared, I didn’t have to show it. I also knew I wouldn’t have been quite as bold if the chief and Bruce weren’t on the other side of the window.

Jack

I smiled at the show of moxie from my soon-to-be wife, enjoying the flash of fear that crossed her face before she covered it again. Her eyes flicked to the window as if reassuring herself Chief Barnes and her boyfriend were still there, watching. They were, of course. I’d specifically told Barnes to be there and to have Officer Ward join him, though Ward would not be allowed to interfere once I got started. I wanted both of them there.

I wanted her to know how little their protection meant.

“Miss McQueen, is it?” I asked, still in front of the door. Another flash of fear crossed her lovely features. “Or should I call you Miss Bianco?”

Hazel eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected me to go for the jugular so quickly, though she didn’t seem surprised I knew who she was. Brains and beauty to go with her backbone.