Rowan Marino

It starts with a phone call.

A simple ring cuts through the quiet evening in my office. I glance at the caller ID and freeze. It's a number I haven't seen in months.

My father.

He told me he was moving away, for retirement. He wanted peace, he said at least, but with him there is none, really.

I hesitate for a second, but I already know there's no escaping this. He wouldn't be calling unless he had something to say. I answer the call keeping my voice steady, emotionless.

"What do you want?"

There's a pause on the other end, followed by a familiar, cold chuckle that makes my blood run cold. "Is that how you speak to your father?"

"I don't have time for games, old man. What do you want?" I repeat.

"This isn't a game..." he starts.
"I've been thinking...about my mafia, and how you've disrespected my legacy. People talk Rowan, you're being fucking...soft. And it's spreading all over town. I figured I should get back in charge, to show you how it's done." He suggests.

I let out a low chuckle, the sound bitter. I've been keeping the organisation, without the unnecessary violence and brutal dominance my father was known for.
I'm being better than him and it's getting to him.
I have a life with love, respect and a future. He hates it.

That's different from the violent cycle he has lived in. And it's driving him crazy that I'm finally happy. Im proving him wrong. You can rule without being a monster.
And I'm doing it.

"No, I'm keeping my position." I say leaving no room for argument.

"Rowan don't fucking test me." He warns.

"You can do nothing you haven't already done. I'm not giving up my position, end of discussion." I say.

He laughs. An evil sound.
"That wife of yours, she's quite the fighter, isn't she? Such spirit. I can see why you're so protective of her." He says.

Why is he bringing her up...
My jaw clenches.
He's threatening me with my wife?
That mother fucker.

"If you touch her—"

"Oh, I won't for now. But you know me son, when I want something, I always get it. You can't keep her locked up forever, the second she's alone I'll take her from you. So be a good boy and get me back in my old position." He says.

"I'll fuck you up, you old fucking—!" I yell but the phone hangs up before I can finish shouting at him.

My blood boils. I know my father, if he says he'll come for her, he will.
And I can't risk that.

I push back from my desk, my movements sharp. I grab my jacket and head out.

"Rowan?" Scarlett's soft voice shakes me out of my thoughts.

I relax, letting out a breath. Immediately softening as I spot her.
Just the person I need. One look from her makes me forget everything else.

She walks up to me grabbing my hands. She guides them around her waist and I step closer to hold her.

"You're mad." She notices.
Her soft hands trace my face, and I lean into the touch.

"It's just...a lot of work." I lie. Why do I lie? Maybe because I don't want her to worry?

I know she doesn't believe that, she knows me too well.
"Where are you going?" She asks.

Another question I don't want to answer.

Fuck.

"Meeting up with the guys." I say. The lies just keeps getting more and more.

"And now you're lying? Great." She pushes back from me. Keeping distance.

Now I've made her mad. Great! I fucking suck.

She's been through so much lately, I don't want to add more to it. I'll handle my dad, and she doesn't have to worry. I know she hates it when I visit him, and if I tell her where I'm really going, she'll want to come with. I won't allow that.

I sigh. Shaking my head slowly. "I'm not lying. I have some unfinished work. Lucas and Theodore is meeting me at the training hall." I say.

When did I become so bad at lying. God it feels so wrong.

She looks hesitant. Almost...sad. Like she knows something's wrong.
"Alright...tell them I said hi then." She says before walking away.

I nod. Not stopping her. "I'll do."

I grab a few guards as we get in the cars.

***

The place is cold and dark. I step out of the car, my heart pounding. I'm not here to give up everything I worked for. I'm here to show him who rules.
He put me in charge, I'm the boss now. And I can't let him break me again. This has to stop. He can't threaten me, and my wife. I won't allow such thing.

"Leave the guards outside son. It's just you and me now." Father says at the door. Is this a trick?

I think for a moment before I turn and give my guards a quick nod. They stay where they are as I head inside his house.

He's alone? Or at least that's what he wants me to think. He's never truly alone. Today seems different though. He's calm and collected. Not angry.

I guess he believes I'll just hand him the contract and it'll all be like before.

"I'm surprised you came," he says, walking into the living room, then turning slightly to face me. "But then again, I suppose I shouldn't be. You've always had a weakness for her, haven't you?" He asks.

I grit my teeth, my fists clenching at my sides. "Leave Scarlett out of this."

Here we go...