The Don's Daughter

Chapter 29

RIA'S POV

The sun wakes me up. I groan and bury my face in my pillow. My head is pounding and my entire body feels like I got hit by a truck. It takes a second for me to recognize my surroundings. I realize I'm back home in bed. The events of last night flood back to me but I dont remember getting here, or even leaving the concert. Shit. That means my father 100% knows what happened.

It's Sunday too. Cole's getting initiated into La Famiglia now that he is 18 and he'll take over officially as the boss at 21. There is no longer an option leaving at this point unless Sergio grants it. Which he won't. It makes him look weak.

This is the first initiation ceremony I'm allowed to attend and I get hit in the face. MY FACE! I get up and run to my bathroom to look in the mirror. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. It's not good by any means but it's not too bad all things considering. I have a bruise on my cheek and jaw. I have a cut on my cheek too but it won't scar. It's swollen right now so my face looks puffy, but I've seen worse. My eye socket got broken during training once and I had blood vessels burst in my eye so this is nothing.

The next thing I notice about my appearance is my clothing. I'm draped in one of Cole's oversized t-shirts. Which means he brought me home last night. Great. I roll my eyes.

My mind drifts back to those two guys from last night. That had to be the biggest botch of a job ever. Didn't drug me right, didn't manage to kidnap me and couldn't even hit me in the face properly. I decided to brush my teeth, get dressed and go to the warehouse today. I'll get my work out in like I planned on doing in the morning and if Sergio is going to reprimand me he can do it in his office there.
~~~~~~~
I'm practicing my kicks on the heavybag when I notice Cole standing there, his dark brown eyes glaring at me and he's holding his arms out. He has to be handsome? Why could I not find him ugly now? I ignore him and keep kicking. He comes and rips my airpod out.

"I was listening to that. I never did get to see them last night." I snap and attempt to snatch it out of his hand. He quickly pulls it away before I can grab it.

"You need to stop running out on me. I was on your couch last night in case you needed anything and once again, I wake up and you're gone. At least this time I knew where you were."

"Didn't notice you." I keep my tone flat and go back to kicking the heavy bag. "Should have stayed in one of the guest rooms. Sergio has like 80 on his compound" I stop kicking. I want to get some distance from him so I move to the speed bag.

"What are you doing?" Cole says following me.

"My workout" I say coldly.

"You should be in bed."

"I wanted to start fighting competitively again now that I'm almost 18 so I need to make sure I maintain my weight and my skills. I can't do that if I don't work out."

"Sergio is never going to let you do that now. I'd be surprised if he doesn't put you back in homeschool." He said sounding worried.

I get angry. Why is he acting like he'd give a shit? Wouldn't me not being around be better for him? "Maybe I should." I say switching hands to hit the speed bag. "I've been out a little over a month and look what happened! I get roofied and pistol whipped by some asshole with a small dick complex, and I gave my virginity to a bipolar fuckboy." I punch the bag hard to emphasize my last point.

Cole looks hurt but I can't get sucked in to his gorgeous Italian charm again. Stay strong Ria.

"I'm not a fuckboy, well I was but nothing hap..

"You don't owe me an explanation DeLuca" I cut him off. I can't fall in again. "You wanted me to be sure. I was. I don't have any regrets. You clearly do, but I don't. I'm not going to be one of many though so if you want that Guilia girl go have her. I'm taking myself off the roster." I turn to walk away from him again.

Cole grabs my arm and spins me around. "Ria! would you just stop and listen?"

"VICTORIA!" I jump startled by my father's voice. "Three rounds with Rocco now!"

Shit. I'm in trouble. Rocco is the best fighter and he is Sergios personal trainer. Going 3 rounds with him would be brutal on my best day. This is my father's way of knocking me around without him laying a finger on me.

"But I train with Rocco?" I hear Cole say.

What is he doing? I have never seen Cole interact with my father before. Cole is so casual with him.

"What? You can't share DeLuca?" Sergio snaps at him.

Cole looks pissed now. "Your daughter was drugged and assaulted last night. Don't you think three rounds with Rocco is too intense for her at the moment? She should be in bed." He is red faced and glaring at Sergio.

I definitely have NEVER seen one of my father's men talk back to him. Remo won't even do it. I'm in a state of shock right now.

"My daughter you say? Well MY daughter was taught not to go out unprotected. My daughter was also taught keep her tracker on, and I know for a damn fact that MY DAUGHTER would never let some random white boy get the best of her." He yells at Cole not even glancing at me. "So it seems my daughter needs a reminder of who the hell she is."

Now Sergio shifts his gaze to me. "Three rounds, go."

I nod. He stops me as I go to walk by him. My father grabs my chin and lifts my face examining the bruise and releases me.

He turns his focus back to Cole. They both have heated rage filled expressions on their face. I scurry to the octagon not wanting any part of that.