Sensual Redamancy

Chapter 52

•Dominic•

"The panic on your face tells me you and your questionable companions were up to something I'd strongly disapprove of, Dominic," my father said, slowly pacing towards me with a smirk on his lips I found entirely diabolical.

I presumed the questionable companion he referred to was Natalie as he began walking in more of her direction than mine, his attention anchored on her.

"Now, sweetheart, did you really think you could cheat your way back into New York City and I wouldn't find out about it?"

Natalie scrunched up her face, her neck veins jutting out. "One more step towards me and I won't be held responsible for my explosive reaction," she spat venomously at him.

He laughed, clearly unfazed by her threat. "You've always despised me the most, Natalie, even more than Sofia, I've figured. Does this immense hatred perhaps have something to do with me being the man your mother chose to so dearly submit to and allow to fulfil her darkest desires your father was never able to attend to?"

She stepped closer to him furiously. "As long as she is your filthy lover, I refuse to acknowledge her as my mother because she is a disgrace to our family."

"Or maybe you simply wish it was you in her place," he retorted.

Natalie was so triggered she attempted to leap at Teodoro for a physical altercation, but I knew better than to let her jump into the lion's den. Hence, I held her back by her elbows, dragging her backwards.

Teodoro seemed beyond pleased. "Take some notes from my son before you become another sad victim of my temper with that unclever, sharp tongue of yours. Certainly, Dom knows better."

As much as I wanted to disagree with him, he was right in warning her. Clearly, she had a fierce temper herself and I understood why my father disliked her so much.

She reflected his fierceness in a way just without his cruelty. He hated being challenged so boldly.

Natalie broke free from my grasp, moving forward. "Fuck you," she cursed in Teodoro's face before storming out.

"You already lost that chance, sweetheart," he said after her, smiling devilishly as he watched her leave.

I gave Raquel a slight nod, signalling her to go after Natalie and she did so.

Teodoro turned to me, his gaze certainly not something I enjoyed. "Now, back to you, Dom. Where were we again?"

I softly sighed, my shoulders sinking. After the things I'd found out, I didn't know how to approach any conversation with him without the fear of fucking up somehow and letting him know I now knew of the truth and couldn't act in a way he expected me to.

He was a father whose favourite child had been ripped away from him so cruelly and in a way, his anger was justified. He simply directed it at the wrong targets and the fact that one of those targets was someone I deeply adored didn't make things any better.

"Your mind isn't here," he spoke again, following my eyes.

"You didn't tell me you were coming over," I spoke before he could say more. "I'm not very fond of unexpected visits."

"Well, the good thing is it is not you that I'm here for so you will not be bothered."

I slightly cocked my brow. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"That I'm here for Sofia, Dominic. I heard she caused quite the ruckus when she disappeared into thin air after our conversation which didn't go quite as planned. I'd like to finish up a couple of things with her."