God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 21

Aiden

     I am not a good person. I've maimed, hurt, killed, whatever it is that people look down on. I always thought my actions would come back and punish me in some way.

     But have I ever really done something bad enough to warrant this?

     Next to my sweet angel of a daughter. Stands a 6'5 mafia heir with his hand on her hip.

     Don't kill him yet, not in front of Alicia at least.

"It's a pleasure to meet the people who have raised Alicia into the wonderful woman she is today." He says, my frown deepens.

Spare me the bullshit. Elsa smiles and thanks him for the compliment. Staying silent, my glare deepens.

I hate him. Now, hate is a strong word, I know but fuck that, I hate him.

"Would you like to join us for dinner, Vaughn, dear?" Elsa asks politely. My eyes ticks. Sweetheart, what the hell are you doing?

       Do not invite this daughter-stealer to dinner.

       The bastard smiles and nods. "It would be an honor."

       I wonder if a punch to the face would wipe that smile off. Elsa nudges me and whispers. "You haven't said anything, Aiden. Be nice."

       "You're not good enough for my daughter." Alicia hides her face in her palm and I hear a snicker come from Eli.

        Elsa looks up and glares at me. I raise an eyebrow. What? She's the one who told me to say something.

        The bastard is unfazed, he simply continues to smile. "I'm aware, Mr. King. I'll spend my life trying to be worthy of your daughter's love."

        Elsa coos at the admission and my frown just intensifies. Oh, what a fucking joke.

        "Come, come. Dinners on the table, no, I didn't make it." Elsa says, ushering everyone in.

         "Good, wouldn't wanna poison the boyfriend on the first meeting with the parents." Eli comments.

           Poison. That would be a good way to get rid of him.

     As we shuffled into the dining room, I took my place at the table, positioning myself strategically to keep an eye on Vaughn. He strode in like he owned the place, a smug grin plastered across his face as he took a seat next to Alicia. My heart rate quickened, muscles coiled tight as if anticipating the moment when I'd finally get a chance to express my profound dissatisfaction with this entire situation.

     The dining room overflowed with warmth and laughter—a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My wife, Elsa, was fussing over the spread prepared, and Eli sat opposite me, smirking at my anger, completely oblivious to the chaos beneath my calm exterior. I shouldn't have let him get to me. After all, I was not a man easily rattled. Yet here I sat, feeling like a lion caged in a zoo, watching the trespasser flaunt around far too close to my cub.

     "So, Vaughn, what do you do?" I asked, my voice steady but laced with ice. It was time to rattle his cage, too.

     He looked at me, cocking an eyebrow in that annoyingly confident way. "Oh, you know, my family runs a very successful business." The way he sneered that last word made my blood boil. I could see right through him. It was all a façade, a way to mask the darkness that lingered just beneath the surface.

    "Is that so?" I leaned back, folding my arms. "And what exactly does this 'business' entail?" I could feel Elsa's eyes on me, urging me to keep it civil, but Vaughn was practically begging for a fight.

     He didn't hesitate. "We deal in various industries—transportation, logistics, local clubs. You could say we keep the city running smoothly. But it's really an honor to share in Alicia's world. She's the bright spot in my otherwise murky life."

     The words hit me like a slap. How dare he refer to Alicia and this 'murky life' in the same breath? My daughter was not part of his dark world or the mess he called a family.

     "So you're telling me that it's the same businesses that keep the rest of us awake at night, eh?" I shot back, a biting sarcasm dripping from every syllable. The room fell into a thick silence, my challenge hanging in the air like the tension before a storm.

     "I understand your apprehension, Mr. King," he said smoothly, as if my words only strengthened his resolve. "I'll do everything in my power to make Alicia happy."

     I glanced at her, her eyes bright and hopeful, looking at him as if he were the sun at the end of a long winter. I could feel my heart twist, knowing that she saw something in him I didn't—a potential for love that I was hell-bent on dismantling.

     And then, as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Elsa chimed in, her voice light and soothing. "Alright everyone, let's eat! No point in dwelling on the past right now."

     I pushed my plate away, my appetite gone. I wanted to scream, to shut this whole charade down before it began. Vaughn's hand was still on Alicia's hip, an intimacy that turned my stomach. I can only imagine what plans he had, how he intended to wrap her in chains that I had no control over.

     As the chatter resumed and the food was passed around, I kept my eyes locked on Vaughn, unyielding. He might have won Alicia's heart, but he would never earn my respect. And the longer he sat there, the more I plotted how to put an end to this twisted fairy tale before it could ever take root.

     There had to be a way to protect her—because no matter how charming he appeared in front of her and the family, his darkness would inevitably seep through. And I would be damned if I let my daughter slip through the shadows unguarded.

      As dinner went on, I pushed more and more. Insulting the bastard at any chance I got. He isn't good enough for her and he never will be.

      Dinner ended and as I stood, I feel someone tap my shoulder. Alicia.

     "Daddy? Could we talk?" She asks, voice soft. Now, who am I to deny my perfect daughter?

     I nod and we go to the living room, closing the door behind us.

    "Little angel, you know I love you. I don't approve of this. He is a Morozov. It's dangerous, he's dangerous." I state, words firm.

     "I know! I... daddy, please, he's so wonderful to me! He's helped me through some dark moments and has been nothing but patient with me. He's kind and attentive and- please, don't dismiss this. Because even if you don't approve, I'll still go out with him and I... I can't stand the thought of you being mad at me, daddy." She says, voice cracking near the end.

      Oh, fuck me.

      I pull her into a tight hug, smoothing her hair. "Okay... okay, if you say so. But, if he hurts you. I will skin him alive." I reassure, trying to put my personal hatred aside.

      She chuckles slightly, the sound warm and kind. "Yeah, I figured you would." She mumbles, staying cocooned in my embrace. Right then, I can't help but seeing her as the little girl as she used to be.

      And God, do I hate that she's all grown up now.

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A/N:
I have been looking forward to this chapter for soooo long! It was so fun to write!
Well, Vaughn won Elsa over. Aiden's gonna try to be diplomatic with him for Alicia. Everything seems to be wonderful! Nothing could go wrong... right?
Thank you so much for the support!
Don't forget to vote and comment <333