Page 45 of Chasing Kit

“You lied to me. You were the reason I needed protection.”

Dad laughed sardonically. “I gave you the best life you could’ve had. You should be thanking me.”

Hurt streaked through me. “Go to hell, Derek Uhlig.”

Riccardo cleared his throat behind us. “Ah, the joys of family drama. As fun as this is to watch, Derek, you and I need to discuss your other son and my cousin. Their situation is cause for concern.”

Gaia made a sound of disbelief. “That’s an understatement. If our dear Francesca finds out about her husband’s affair, all hell will break loose. Not just in the South, either.”

I observed Dad and how he processed his emotions. Before, I thought I could gauge his anger, pride, and happiness, but the man in front of me was a stranger. He remained stoic, his lips pursed in displeasure.

“Sir—” War shifted beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, but Dad’s sharp glare cut him off.

“Don’t speak to me right now, War. You’re on my shitlist.”

“Don’t talk to my boyfriend like that,” I snarled.

Dad faltered and genuine surprise flickered across his face for a short moment—long enough for me to see and recognize it. “Your boyfriend?” His attention slid from me to War, alight with fury. “You took the chance to fuck my son after I sent you to bring him home?”

“That’s not how it happened,” War said, but Dad could be stubborn once he got an idea into his head.

He strode forward, shoving War’s chest, and I yelled in frustration.

“Don’t touch him!”

Dad ignored me, pushing War backward, forcing him to step away from me, even as I grasped Dad’s shirt and tugged him. At least his guards and the Sabbatinis didn’t get involved.

“You fucking little weasel. I should kill you for laying a finger on him.” Dad shoved harder, and War didn’t resist, allowing Dad to back him up against Riccardo’s desk.

I’d had enough. War might’ve decided to let Dad manhandle him, but I wouldn’t permit it.

I swung my fist, and my knuckles slammed into the back of Dad’s head. Dad grunted and flew to the side, catching himself on a chair before he could fall to the floor. Behind me, I heard snickering, but I ignored the assholes.

I jumped in front of War and pointed at Dad as he turned to us. “Don’t fucking touch him. He respects you so much that he fought what he felt for me, but he cares for me, and I’m not going to let you treat him like shit. He’s mine.”

Dad touched the back of his head, eyes wide.. I’d never hit anyone and he knew it. A sense of pride swept through me, making me feel ten feet tall.

War touched my shoulder. “Kit, don’t.”

“No.” I laid my hand on top of his and glanced at him. “He doesn’t get to touch you like that. You should’ve laid him out like I know you can.”

Dad exhaled loudly. “Fucking hell, Kit. There are better men out there for you.”

“Probably.” I met his gaze with a hard stare. “But you wouldn’t let me talk to any of them. I choose him now. He’s my boyfriend, and if you want me to go home to New Gothenburg, you’ll respect him as he respects you. You decide. It’s either me and War, or no one.”

Dad’s nostrils flared, and he shot a glare over my shoulder as more laughter erupted.

“Makes me glad I never had kids,” Riccardo said from behind me. I ignored him.

“Wait until Mamma decides it’s time for you to get married,” Gaia said, and Riccardo laughed again.

“Non succederà,” he retorted, and it took me a moment to realize it was Italian. While my nonna was Italian, I’d never learned the language, and Dad hadn’t either. It was a shame, as it might’ve helped him. Gaia murmured something back, and they began to argue in their second—or was it first?—language. Their Louisiana accents at least told me they’d been raised here.

“Fine,” Dad said, straightening. “If you have to have a boyfriend, War is a good one. You can come home now.”

I snorted. “Can I? Gee. Thanks, Dad.”

“As touching as this is, I believe you owe us something, Uhlig.” Riccardo held out his hand, prompting Dad to glare at him.