day. Other than that, I took care of her.
And Marco kept his fucking distance, as he should.
She’d asked for him several times, but I’d told her he was busy in the city, helping my father track down the fuckers who had tried to poison him. Of course, we knew who was ultimately responsible, but we couldn’t go after Gabriel Costa until someone turned on him. Whoever had tried to poison Dad had to say they were working under Costa’s orders. Otherwise, we’d be the ones instigating the war, and the family might not survive that. It was essential that my father came out on top, with the family intact and as powerful as ever.
I was grateful that the task of finding the traitor kept Marco away, but part of me wanted to help. Twice, Marco had returned with blood on his hands, his knuckles split. He got to be out there, hurting the people who had hurt Ashlyn. And while I didn’t like my violent lifestyle, I wouldn’t mind beating the shit out of whoever was responsible for almost taking her from me.
As it was, Marco only showed his face if he was bringing Ashlyn’s meals to her in the bedroom. He wisely left them on the nightstand and let me feed her. If he tried to pull any Daddy shit with her in front of me, I’d punch him again. He didn’t get to be her Daddy. He didn’t get to take on that responsibility. He’d lost the privilege.
Ashlyn seemed upset when he’d leave, but mostly, she slept.
Today, she was brighter, more alert. She’d been awake for nearly three hours this afternoon, and she was sitting in bed, propped up against the pillows. I’d brought a TV in from one of the guest bedrooms so we could watch Sons of Anarchy together. I sat in bed beside her, and she rested her head on my shoulder.
I couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t stop feeling her warmth and inhaling her light, floral scent. I’d almost lost her, and I had to reassure myself that she was alive and safe in my arms.
Marco knocked on his bedroom door, waiting for me to invite him to enter. When I did, he stepped into the room, carrying two steaming plates of pasta. He’d been cooking blander dishes for Ashlyn, making sure she could keep the food down while still getting enough calories.
He set the plates on the nightstand, not looking at either of us.
“Marco,” Ashlyn said, her voice soft and pleading. “Come sit with us.”
He tensed, but he jerked his head in silent refusal and turned away. She reached out and caught his wrist.
“Wait. Don’t go. I want to talk to you.”
“I’m sorry,” he rasped and pulled his hand free from her weak grip.
“Come back.” I was sure she meant to sound firm, but she was still too weak to put any real force behind the demand.
He kept walking, his movements stiff but determined.
“Daddy, please. I need you.”
He froze, and I tensed.
“It’s okay, angel.” I tried to sound soothing. “Marco can’t stay.” I made that sharper, letting Marco know he wasn’t welcome.
“No!” she insisted. “I need you. Both of you. Please stay, Marco.”
My arm firmed around her. “He doesn’t deserve to be here.”
Marco turned to face her. His eyes were tight with anguish, but his distress did little to melt my icy rage.
“He’s right,” Marco said. “I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry.”
“Of course you do,” she said. “We’re supposed to be together. All of us.”
“You don’t know what he did,” I ground out.
“Whatever it is, I don’t care,” she declared. She reached for Marco, her fingers straining toward him, beseeching. “I love you, Marco. Please, don’t go.”
All the air left my chest, but before ugly jealousy could rise, she turned her sapphire eyes on me.
“And I love you, Joseph. I love both of you. I need both of you.” She looked back at Marco. “Please, Daddy. Don’t go.”
He groaned and closed the distance between them, unable to resist her allure when she admitted her need for him. He knelt by the bed and took her hand in both of his, holding her carefully.
“I can’t be with you, babygirl,” he forced out. “You’re supposed to be with Joseph. I’m not good for you.”
“I’ve told you before, but I guess you forgot,” she said, her voice gaining a little strength. “You deserve to be loved, Marco. And I love you, just the way you are. No matter what.”
His eyes were dark with pain and longing. “But