The Godfather's Daughter (Horsemen Mafia Romance Series), page 1
Table of Contents
The Godfather’s Daughter
Except for
Elijah
(Horsemen Romance Series, Book 1)
Horsemen Book List and Release Dates
Contact Information
The Godfather’s Daughter
By
Terry Towers
Description
Living as the daughter of the most powerful man in Italy comes with a lot of responsibility and restrictions. My life was never my own; my first priority was always what was best for the family. Being accepted to an Ivy League School in the United States was my way to freedom.
I wanted to keep a low profile; I really did. But when my gaze locked onto Professor Von's, I was doomed. Maybe it was the way he looked at me that made my heart skip a beat or maybe I was simply being rebellious. Regardless of the reason, I couldn't stay away from him – potential consequences be damned.
I should have known that there are always consequences when you’re the Godfather’s daughter, for both myself and the man I should never have gotten involved with...
Welcome to Helka Island!
Crystal blue waters and a thriving nightlife.
Helka Island is the most sought-after vacation destination in the world.
At first glance, a girl might think it's paradise...
But even paradise has its underworld. And four dangerous men who rule it.
The Horsemen have united four of the most powerful organized crime families of North and South America and Europe and brought them together on a remote island in the Caribbean, creating an unstoppable force.
The four rulers of the island are a woman's fantasy, but a nightmare to anyone who defies the rules. They're sexy. They're single but untouchable. Expanding their empires comes first for them... sex a close second... Love... well, that hasn't even been a blip on their radar.
But that’s all about to change...
The Godfather’s Daughter
Copyright May 26, 2022
By Terry Towers
Cover By: Temptation Creations
All rights reserved. With the exception of brief quotes used for critical reviews and articles no part of this book may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the author Terry Towers. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via internet or other means, electronic or print without the authors permission. Criminal copyright infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov.ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.
To hear about Terry's new releases and upcoming specials and promotions, please sign up for her newsletter. Rest assured we will not spam your inbox.
Newsletter Sign-up
Prologue
Sophia
My eyes narrowed at my father. I was not about to be swayed. One way or another I was going to get what I wanted. He may be the most feared man in Italy, but I was his daughter and at twenty-one, I was no longer scared to speak out. I wanted my freedom way too badly to let this go and bow to his will – yet again. If I had to, I’d go without his consent. He couldn’t keep me trapped in this fortress that I’ve called home in the name of my safety any longer.
“It’s too dangerous right now, Sophia,” said my brother, Isaac who was standing to the right of my father. My stare shot over to him. He was such a piece of shit. The oldest child, heir to the organization and the biggest kiss ass I’d ever seen – aside from my other brother to the left of my father – Alonzo, who was only a couple of years older than me. Yet there he was standing at my father’s side attempting to be some big man with control over what I did. I used to kick Alonzo’s ass when we were kids, and I was betting that I could still do it if push came to shove.
“Oh, so what makes your precious island so much more secure? You went to college in the States. I want to too and none of you can stop me.” My gaze shot back at my father, challenging him to say no.
My father sighed and leaned forward bracing his elbows on the massive monstrosity of a desk of his and eyeing me down. “You’ll go if and only if I say you can. Are you clear?”
The fury swirling inside me begged to be unleashed and it was taking every little ounce of control I had in me to contain it. “No. No, we’re not clear. I’m done with being told what I can and can’t do. I’m done with this overbearing family. I’m done with being the daughter of the great Pierto Marinotti. And I’m done not being able to leave this house that I’m practically a prisoner in. Isaac lives across the world and Alonzo goes wherever he pleases. But me? Nope, I can’t go anywhere. I’m done with this double standard.
The anger surged again.
I tried to control it, but between the bored look on Alonzo’s face and the smirk on Isaac’s I couldn’t contain it any longer. “You know what Papa? You’re sexist.”
While my brother’s expressions turned to shock, while my father’s turned to stone.
“You keep me and mother locked up here. All the time. And if we go out then we need escorts for our own protection! What is that about? Isaac and Alonzo don’t need bullshit guards!” My hands balled up into fists, and I refused to look away. “I’ve lived this life because I was a child and my mother can make her own decisions, but I’m not a child anymore and I refuse to be treated as lesser than my brothers!”
“Is that so? You feel I’m sexist?”
My resolve momentarily faltered, but the words were already out of my mouth, might as well march forward. “Yes, I think you are. I’ve been overlooked my entire life, treated like some sort of porcelain doll. I’m not some delicate doll. I’m a human being and want a life outside of this family. I need to experience life! I’d rather be dead than continue living under your rule!”
“So, you feel you’re locked away and that you’re treated like a possession? Death is a preferable option to all the luxuries I’ve provided for you?”
I hesitated, but then lifted my chin and continued to meet his stare. “Yes. I think that I haven’t been given the opportunities that the boys have been given. Isaac was given an entire island.” I hooked my thumb at my other brother, “Faccia di culo there helps run the organization here. I’m smarter than the two of them put together, yet I’m stuck here. What do you plan on doing? Marrying me off in an arranged marriage or something equally as barbaric?”
The silence and tension became so thick in the air that it could be cut with a knife. A part of me feared I’d overstepped, but what I said and how I felt couldn’t be taken back.
Finally, a roar of laughter erupted from my father as he fell back in the chair. “I had someone already lined up, but considering you seem to find that distasteful, I’ll just cancel it.”
“That’s not funny Father.” I really didn’t know if he was joking or hot. I was ninety percent sure it was a joke.
He swiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “Listen, since you seem to be hellbent on the idea of going to a university in the States, how about you apply and we’ll see when the time comes. Maybe for the winter term or perhaps next year, once I’ve given it some thought.”
I grimaced. “I already applied and was accepted to the school Isaac went to.”
The humor left his eyes again. “You applied?”
“And was accepted,” I confirmed feeling a sense of pride wrap itself around me bolstering my confidence in what I was about to do.
“Behind my back.” His expression turned stony again, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. That was one of the worst of my father’s traits, I could never tell what he was thinking. I only got to see what he allowed people to see.
“As I just said, I want to be independent, and I plan to go whether you allow it or not. You may have been able to control me as a child but I’m not a child any longer.”
“You forget, I control everything in Italy. I know everything that goes on here.” He cocked a brow at me, his eyes as dark as mine staring into mine. “Why should you be any different?”
I chewed my inner cheek a moment before responding. “You can’t know that much. You didn’t know that I’d applied to and been accepted to Isaac’s old college. You also didn’t know that I already had a room booked in the dorms and my tuition paid.”
“How? Did your-”
“Mother didn’t pay, I’ve been storing money away for years for this day to come. I planned and was prepared for the worst.”
“The worst being?”
“Being that you’d say no and I’d just do it anyhow. You can’t keep me confined here any longer.”
He cleared his throat, his jaw clenching. “You’ve never been a prisoner here, Sophia.”
I chanced a look up at Isaac, hoping he’d come to bat for me, but like a true soldier to our father he said nothing. He just stood there with a disapproving look on his face.
“Fine.” My father threw up his hands in defeat.
My mouth dro
But there was a look in his eyes that told me he had something up his sleeve. “But there are conditions. You think you can make it on your own? Fine. You’ll not get a single cent from me for the duration of your time there. You want to be independent?”
I nodded.
“Then show me what you’re made of. You have the money you’ve squirreled away – make it last. Maybe even get a job over there. But you must make it work.”
My win was bittersweet. I celebrated that I was going to get to go to college overseas. But at the same time, my brother had had everything handed to him. He didn’t have to skimp and save and make do. He’d had access to our family money and influence, I was going to be completely on my own.
But it was a good thing. It would only prove how self-reliant I can be.
I didn’t need to rely on my father or our family. He was right I wanted to show him and myself what I was truly made of. While I knew he loved me, he always favored the boys when it came to giving them independence and freedom. It would no doubt be tight, but I could make it and when I did, it would prove to him that I was not only stronger, but more capable than my brothers who didn’t have the balls to stand at my side.
“Fine.” I flashed him a smile, before standing. “I can do it myself.” Turning, I marched from the office slamming the door behind me; happy and pissed at the same time.
I was making my way down the hallway of the museum I called home when I heard the door to his office open and footsteps rushing up behind me. I knew the footsteps, it was my brother Isaac. He was larger and more heavy-footed than Alonzo.
“What do you want Isaac?” I snapped, looking up at him as I continued to walk, not slowing my pace.
“That was quite a display you put on there.” His emerald-green eyes, eyes he’d inherited from our mother, locked onto mine.
“Yes, thank you for stepping up and having my back on that.”
“You handled yourself fine. You got what you wanted. You’re going to school in the States. I didn’t feel I needed to fight your battles for you.”
“It would have been nice if you’d at least given me support on the matter. I felt like I was at the inquisition there. And you and Alonzo are such suck-asses. It’s disgusting. Leccaculo.”
“Whoa, whoa.” He threw his hands up in mock dismay, “Let’s not get nasty. I am not a leccaculo.”
“Then what are you?”
“See, by me not taking your side in there, if you ever need me to take your side in the future, Father will hold my opinion in higher regard. You’re welcome.”
“A fanabla.” He could go to hell for all I cared. He was so damned full of shit it was sickening.
“Besides, if you think that he won’t ensure you’re watched at all times you’re quite mistaken.”
“I’ll be in the States.”
“Yes, and what would you rather? Think hard on this. Your brother who doesn’t fucking care what you do over there and lives on Helka Island in the Caribbean? Or would you prefer one of Father’s lackeys who will be stuck to you like glue? We both know he’ll send them. Maybe he’ll even call the Dean and have one of his spies in all of your classes to watch your every move. I could keep that from happening.”
I groaned inwardly. Of course, yet another deal. I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him and crossing my arms over my chest. “What do you want in return? I know by now that nothing you do for me is for free.”
“Nothing.”
“Non dire cazzate.” Bullshit. I didn’t believe that for an instant. Isaac didn’t do anything unless there was something in it for him.
“I really don’t. But there may be a time, somewhere down the road, it could be years from now, or could be days, where I’ll need a favor. So, since I’m going to do this for you, you agree that you owe me one.”
I didn’t doubt that my father would do as he was suggesting. He and the Dean of the school were close friends. My brother hadn’t gotten in for his grades, that’s for damned sure. Like everywhere in the world, money talked louder than anything else. I should have gone to a different institution, but I had something to prove, and I wanted to prove it where our family had gone for several generations.
“Fine. Deal.”
He extended his hand to me. I eyed it with suspicion for a moment before begrudgingly accepting it. “Deal.”
“And in the spirit of helping you out. If you need money, I can give you a hand with that. I suspect you plan to outshine me with marks so you’re not going to want to work if you want perfect grades. It’s not an Ivy League School for nothing.”
“I’m fine, thanks.” That being said, it was good to know that the offer stood if I needed it. Even if there were strings attached.
Chapter 1
Sophia
This had to be one of the happiest days of my life – hands down.
Nothing could bring me down today.
As the plane touched down on the runway, I took a peek out of the window and grinned so wide it felt like my mouth was going to split my face in two pieces. Just outside of the plane was my first taste of freedom and I couldn’t be more excited. It wasn’t going to be easy, this I knew. I was accustomed to living in the lap of luxury in a house full of servants and guards around the clock. All I needed to do was hit a button and I’d have people at my feet to do my bidding within a few minutes.
But it was also a jail. One big, luxurious jail.
My new life was going to be different. I’d even insisted that I fly to the States in a regular airplane, in the economy section instead of using my father’s private jet. Despite my father saying he wasn’t going to help me, he’d offered the jet. But I refused. I wanted everything about this experience to be authentic. I couldn’t prove to him or anyone else that I was strong and could make it on my own if I accepted handouts straight out of the gate.
However, the man beside me reeked of alcohol and beef jerky and was snoring so loudly that even my earphones weren’t blocking out the sound, so I was reconsidering my intelligence in making that decision. But this all came part and parcel with what I was trying to accomplish – freedom and independence from a life of being sheltered and controlled.
Half an hour later I was grabbing my baggage and making my way outside in search of a taxi, which wasn’t hard to find. There was a huge line-up and I groaned inwardly, the heels I was wearing were making the long wait a challenge to my feet. Lines and waiting, it was something I’d need to get used to.
Twenty minutes later, I was in a cab, the balls of my feet screaming at me for not wearing sensible shoes. Was I that out of touch with the real world? A part of me felt ashamed despite the fact that I hadn’t had a choice in the matter. Pietro Marinotti controlled everything and everyone with an iron fist – including his family. My mother enjoyed being royalty and didn’t seem to mind the control being exerted over her in exchange for the perks. But I wasn’t my mother, if I were to be honest with myself, I was more like my father than my mother, but I refused to admit it to anyone.
“Here we are, ma’am.” I looked up from my mobile phone and out the window to see the large building before us with the name Carrington Hall posted over the doorway. Looking back down at my phone, I confirmed that Carrington Hall was where I was supposed to go to get my room assignment and class schedule.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I murmured under my breath, opening the door, and stepping out of the vehicle.
Entering the building, I felt a sense of excitement and independence that I hadn’t felt once in my entire life. I kept looking over my shoulders expecting to see one of my father’s guards over my shoulder. But they weren’t – I was completely alone, well aside from the thousands of other students rushing up and down the hallways.
After a moment of searching, I finally found the office of the register and was confronted by another obscene line, straight out the door of the office and down the hallway. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I grumbled under my breath as I got in line behind everyone else.
