Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 232 -

James.

"All is well, James," Giovani said, looking over the list he made on his phone. He glanced up to give me a reassuring smile, but I wasn't buying it. Something was wrong. I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair, letting out a sigh.

"You're sure? I have noticed a lot of odd going-ons lately," I said. Giovani tilted his head as if confused by this. At the moment, we were sitting at our kitchen table in the compound. Giovani took a long sip from his coffee and nodded. "I am," he said, giving me a smile. "I have yet to let you down, James, and I don't intend on starting anytime soon," he said. He leaned back in his chair and then asked, "What odd going-ons, then?"

"The feeling of being watched, which I suppose I should get used to. I caught people in dark clothing staring from the distance, however, before scurrying off like rats," I said, a frown plastered on my face at the memory of that. Becca had been around when that happened, and I'd apparently had a very concerned expression on my face. She was chatting away about the wedding and baby shower, so excited and wonderful. I wished I could pay more attention there. Instead, I was worrying about these things. "Not to mention, random intervals of my security reporting suspicious people near the premises, never close enough to confront," I said, taking a sip of my coffee and sighing. "Paranoia, perhaps?" Giovani said, shrugging. "But, I am always one to say trust your instincts. However, if your family has merit, you trust that, too. I believe I have a lot of merit now. Like I said, whatever it is concerning you, let me take care of it."

I shot him a skeptical stare and finally nodded, trying to at least take his word for it. I had a feeling he was hiding something, withholding information, but why? "You would tell me if there was a problem, right Giovani?" I asked slowly. "Would I?" Giovani said, giving me a soft smile. I really hoped he wasn't playing around. This was serious, and after all the shit I went through, I needed to know there wasn't something else going on that would be a rug pull like Allison. Then, he continued. "Why overstress, James? You have this ordeal to worry about. A new child on the way. You may be worried about your children and soon-to-be-wife, but rest assured, I have many bullets I would feed to people who cross you wrong."

Well, that was true. Giovani took our relationship very seriously. We were very close as cousins, even if we hadn't spoken too much over these past few years. He took family that he deemed worthy seriously, and well, he deemed me worthy. Still.

I sighed and eventually nodded. "Relax, right. Well, I will try to do so. But Giovani, please. If you discover something, tell me right away. I need to help take care of this and protect my family. You know how important that is more than anyone." "I do," Giovani said. "Which is why I would be the one to take care of it, if there was a problem. Though, since you're very concerned right now, I'll have some of my associates look into it. I will give your security a list of my people so they know what to look for."

"Thank you," I said sincerely, and Giovani smiled in response as if he knew something I didn't. I opened my mouth to say something more, but he downed the rest of his coffee in a few gulps, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and stood.

"I should be going, though, James. Much to do. Have a business 'transaction' to settle that may need to be settled less than peacefully. Focus on Becca and the kids, alright? Again, I have it taken care of," he said. I watched him leave and grumbled.

Eventually, I returned to my office, working on Don business briefly, but then discovering a lot of what I had to get done had been covered by Giovani. He left a few notes on the shared documents we were in regarding how he had most pieces covered.

I took care of a few stray items and then focused on the other part of my business. Investments were going well, at least, and I would have even more sustainable income here soon. Not as streamlined as in the United States, but more pleasant.

A knock came on my door, causing me to look up. "Come in," I said. Becca entered, giving me a big smile and rushing over to wrap her arms around me. I chuckled and returned her hug, beyond thrilled that she was so excited. "James!" she said, letting out a soft sigh. "I need help deciding between two invitations. Can you join me outside for some lunch? I'd love your opinion." She was dripping with enthusiasm, which warmed my heart.

"Of course, love," I said, then leaned down and gave her a kiss on the lips. I put aside my work and worries, for now, standing up to go join Becca outside. The sun was shining above with not a cloud in the sky, allowing the atmosphere to be very warm.

The yard was clear and beautiful, something that would be great for the kids when they could come out here more. I considered suggesting a playscape for them at some point. I could have some of the people working for me build it. Sitting down at the table, I gave a nod to security, who were on guard as usual. Hopefully, they wouldn't see any suspicious behavior. I was tired of it and wanted to leave that behind to focus on my family's future. Becca brought out some sandwiches for us, a lighter lunch than usual that I was perfectly content with. I took a few bites, smiling at her. "Thank you, Becca," I said, telling myself to relax and enjoy my time here with her. "You're very welcome, James," she replied, bringing out a folder and putting aside her lunch for a moment to look at the invitations. They had a readable but wispy font, characteristic of something Becca would enjoy. One was decorated with pink roses, while the other one had a combination of roses and silhouettes of horses. Both were very well formatted and pleasing to the eye, with a light, whimsical color scheme. I studied both, then pointed to the one with less going on.

"The one with just the flowers looks a bit calmer, though the one with extras is rather eye-catching. I prefer the more simplistic approach myself. You can say a lot with slightly less," I said. Becca beamed at me and nodded, slipping the examples back into their folder.

"Thank you, James. I really appreciate your help with that. It was taking me far too long to decide. I will get more made and then send them out. Oh, this wedding is going to be wonderful!" she said, letting out a soft sigh. She reached out over the table and grabbed my hand, squeezing it. My smile widened back at her, and I returned her enthusiasm with a kind, affectionate tone. "More than happy to help, my love."

As we chatted more about the wedding, I got that odd feeling of being watched again. My eyes slid over to the woods behind the compound, but I couldn't spot anything. Then, I looked over to security, but there was no change in them either. A trick of the light, perhaps? I frowned, wondering if this all was just paranoia from never catching a break given mafia business. Giving a shrug, I returned to eating my sandwich and spending time with Becca, loving her enthusiasm. "My father is visiting, by the way," she said carefully, causing me to wince and raise a brow. I finished my sandwich in the next two bites, then let out a sigh. He did not like me one bit. This wasn't going to be fun.

"Oh?" I said, then nodded. "Maybe we can talk things out. I assume he still doesn't approve of this, or me, in general." Becca gave a sad nod, probably having not spoken to him as well extensively about it. She invited him to the wedding, though, that much I knew. They were very closer.

A few hours later, that talk was to be had, and I sat in front of him at the table. He stared at me coldly, confirming my worries and causing me to inwardly feel rather frustrated. I wished he would be more mature about matters and actually be happy for Becca and me.

Too much to ask, however. I opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off. "Look. I still do not approve of this, at all," he said, his voice dripping with venom, practically. He shook his head, clenching his jaw and letting out an annoyed sigh.

Then, he continued. "I just want you out of my life." That didn't make much logical sense, at all, if they still intended to see their daughter. I doubted they did, given how he was speaking. But, here they were, so they had some kernel of care. "I am glad you can be happy for Becca," I said very sarcastically, my stare equally as cold when regarding him. Honestly, I was growing tired of these games with him. Becca had made her decision, and his own inability to accept it blocked him from seeing what was best for her.

His lip twitched, and he looked as though he was going to snap something back. I, however, raised my hand to shut him up and shook my head. "You are here to support her. Not accept me. I get it. You can disapprove all you would like. Becca is happy now, which is what matters."

"That is all that matters. And that hopefully, we won't have to run into each other a lot in the future," he said through his teeth. "I still don't approve of your past."

If he were any other person, I'd take that part about my future as a potential death threat.

"Trust me, with how you continue to act, and what you continue to say, the feeling is mutual," I replied. "I believe this conversation is over." I did not feel like tolerating this close-minded, overly-protective father any longer, someone who couldn't accept his own daughter's happiness.

I told myself that with my children, I would be far more open-minded and there for them. I may not approve of their decisions, but I would be willing to change, unlike their grandfather, who had no more valid reasons to be this way. Everything he was worried about was over.

Becca's father slinked off after this conversation, possibly to speak with her, but I didn't care. I sat there, staring at a wall in annoyance for a minute before standing and returning to my office for more work.