Coveting the Mafia King's Princess - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

I took a steadying breath, trying to organize my scattered thoughts. “Back in the dining room, you called me Cheryl Swanson. And you mentioned my parents…”

Vincent’s expression shifted, a calculating look crossing his features. “What about them?”

“You know something.” My hands twisted in my lap. “About my adoption, about who I really am. The Rivers family told me my birth parents died in a car crash, but you-”

“I never said they were alive.” His voice cut through my words like a knife. “Only that they didn’t die in a car crash.”

The room felt smaller suddenly, the air thicker. “What do you mean? How do you know this?”

Vincent stood, crossing to a wooden cabinet near the window. “The Rivers family fed you many lies, Cheryl. The car crash story was just one of them.”

“Then what really happened to them?” My voice cracked.

He turned back to me, something dark passing behind those blue eyes. “Are you sure you want to know? Some truths can’t be unknown once they’re revealed.”

“I’ve spent my whole life not knowing who I really am.” I stood up, squaring my shoulders. “I deserve the truth.”

“Deserve?” A harsh laugh escaped him. “Life isn’t about what we deserve, little bird. It’s about what we’re willing to fight for.” He moved closer, his presence overwhelming. “How badly do you want these answers?”

The question hung between us, heavy with implication. I thought of Thomas, of the Rivers family, of all the lies I’d swallowed over the years. Something inside me hardened.

“Tell me everything.” crash story was just one of them.”

“Then what really happened to them?” My voice cracked.

He turned back to me, something dark passing behind those blue eyes. “Are you sure you want to know? Some truths can’t be unknown once they’re revealed.”

“I’ve spent my whole life not knowing who I really am.” I stood up, squaring my shoulders. “I deserve the truth.”

“Deserve?” A harsh laugh escaped him. “Life isn’t about what we deserve, little bird. It’s about what we’re willing to fight for.” He moved closer, his presence. overwhelming. “How badly do you want these answers?”

The question hung between us, heavy with implication. I thought of Thomas, of the Rivers family, of all the lies I’d swallowed over the years. Something inside me hardened.

“Tell me everything.”

Vincent’s lips curved into that dangerous smile again. “Everything comes with a price.”

“The marriage proposal?” I asked, connecting the dots.

He inclined his head slightly. “Smart girl.”

My heart pounded against my ribs as I forced the words out. “Yes. I’ll marry you – but only if you tell me everything right now.”

Vincent’s laugh filled the room, déep and rich. He settled back in his chair, crossing one ankle over his knee. “Bold move, demanding terms before accepting my proposal.”

“I need to know.” My fingers twisted in my lap. “Please.”

“Your parents-” He paused, watching my reaction. “They sold you to the Rivers family. Twenty–five thousand dollars. That’s what your childhood was worth to them.”

The room spun. I gripped the armrests of my chair to steady myself. “They… sold me?”

“They wanted quick cash, an easy life. The Rivers had connections, money, influence. It was a simple transaction for them.” His voice held no sympathy, just cold facts.

Bile rose in my throat. “But why would the Rivers want-”

“Because of who you really are.” Vincent leaned forward. “Your grandfather was Dominic Swanson. The name means. nothing to you, I’m sure, but to people like me?” A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “He was legendary. My teacher, my mentor. Until I surpassed even him.”

“Grandfather?” The word felt foreign on my tongue.

“The mighty Dominic Swanson’s blood runs through your veins. The Rivers knew exactly what they were buying – a connection to power they could never earn on their own.” Vincent’s eyes gleamed. “They just never expected me to come collecting what’s mine.”

My head spun with questions, each revelation hitting harder than the last. The family I’d thought abandoned me had instead sold me. The grandfather I never knew existed was some sort of criminal legend. And now his former student sat before me, demanding marriage.

“Did my grandfather know?” My voice cracked. “About me being sold?”

Vincent’s laugh sent ice through my veins. Not amusement – this was darker, deadlier.

“Your grandfather was furious when he found out. Called it an unforgivable betrayal of blood.” Vincent’s eyes locked onto mine. “He gave me my first real assignment that day secure his granddaughter and eliminate the threat.”

My stomach lurched. “The threat?”

“Your parents.” He said it so casually, like discussing the weather. “I put two bullets in your father’s chest while he begged for mercy. Your mother tried to run.” A cruel smile played at his lips.

“She didn’t get far.”