Page 7 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

It keeps replaying in my head.Should have been there. Should have kept her safe.

I know that my feelings for Samantha are more than they should be. I shouldn’t feel anything for her except for something paternal. But there’s nothing paternal about the way I feel about her.

I think about her when I close my eyes at night. When I open them in the morning. I’m well aware I’m half in love with her.

But I’ll never take that step. I’m here to help keep her safe.

That’s it.

“Elio–”

“Don’t talk. Just listen.” He doesn’t go behind his desk, instead pacing around the room. “Ricci has to be behind this. He’s pissed off that his men failed to steal that last gun shipment.”

“The ARs?”

He nods sharply. “I know you weren’t there, but Ricardo took out three of his best men.”

I’m actually impressed. I’ve always thought of Ricardo as kind of an asshole, but I guess he can back it up after all. I do plenty of work for Elio, but I’m mostly the muscle. An enforcer, if you will. I’m technicallycaputoof this area. Elio delegates to me and I represent him in the city and surrounding areas. Further out, he has differentcaputos. Ricardo Juarez is one of them. Not Sicilian, but he’s been in and out of prison his whole life. Sided with the Italian gangs inside.

He earned his title. I’m not sure that I did. I was a couple years behind Elio in school, but always bigger than him. Meaner, too. Nobody messed with him while I was around.

So when my parents split and dropped me off in foster care when I was fifteen… it was Elio’s father who took me in. Said he appreciated my loyalty to his son.

I’ve tried to earn my keep ever since.

“We can’t make a move,” I warn.

Elio grits his teeth. “We can’t. But fuck, I want to. That’s mydaughter, Dante.”

“I know.”

“And now I’ll have to find someone to protect her.”

“I know.”

Elio looks up at me and I shake my head. “No, Elio, you can’t be thinking–”

“You’ll do it.”

“No!” I nearly shout and then sigh, lower my voice. “No. I’ve got too many collections to handle?—”

“You can do those when she’s home with me. Or I’ll take over again.” He shrugs. “Not like I everneededyou to do it.”

“I’m well aware you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, but you’re busy,” I argue, my heart pounding.

But you should have protected her. This is your chance.

“You’re the only one I can trust, Dante.”

That does it. I drag a hand across my face. “Fine. I’ll be a glorified babysitter.”

“She goes out a lot. You’ll have fun. Maybe meet a woman.” He pauses, a grin spreading across his face. “Youdostill like those, right? Women?”

My fist flies out to sock him in the shoulder and he groans dramatically. He holds out one hand as if in defense. “Just asking. Haven’t seen you with one since you got back.”

“There have been women.”

“How many?”