Chapter 2
TWO
Lissia
With wobbly legs and an accelerated heart rate, I willed my feet to take me in the direction of mafia royalty, acutely aware that Nico Accetti had spotted me as he spoke to Marchello.
If Nico was in the foyer on the day of my father’s funeral, there had to be a damn good reason.
I took my time, making the trek down the long hallway as Nico continued to stare at me with his dark brown eyes set deep into his handsomely rugged face. Marchello had inherited his father’s solid jawline and imposing height. But the one feature that stood out the most to me was his meticulous, thick silver hair and matching manicured beard.
“Marchello.” I stopped next to him, putting me face-to-face with the man I had heard so much about. The man who had made Marchello who he was today. “Nico, you’re here.”
I hadn’t expected Nico to invade my space and tug me into a strong hug, but when he did, my body relaxed. Marchello’s father was home, and for the first time in months, it seemed as if everything was going to be okay.
Then why did my reaction to Nico make me feel like I was betraying my own father?
When Nico released me, Marchello put his arm around my waist.
“Lissia,” Nico said, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” I looked into Nico’s eyes, finding a fatherly comfort in them. “Your sons have missed you.”
“And I have missed them.” Nico’s smile softened his tough features. “I’m sorry we couldn’t meet under better circumstances.”
Marchello tensed against me. He had been so worried about me these past few days, but after today, I hoped we could get back to normal. Whatever that meant.
“I’m glad you came,” I said. “It means so much to me.”
“Lissia.” My mother joined us with her mouth slightly agape as she took in Nico. “You’re back.”
“Rosalie.” Nico extended his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“That’s very kind of you considering the animosity between you and Gian.” My mother leaned in and kissed Nico’s cheek. “I’m surprised you’re here.”
“Ma.” I wanted to shut her down before she said something she would regret.
“Our children are engaged to be married,” Nico said. “I’m where I’m needed.”
“Such a gentleman.” My mother hooked her arm in Nico’s.
The biggest wave of secondhand embarrassment I’d ever known hit me.
She flashed Nico a smile. “I see where your sons get it. They’ve both been so helpful through this ordeal.”
Milo couldn’t conceal his smile and whispered, “She’s a little obvious.”
“Subtlety was never her strong suit,” I said. “I hope your father doesn’t mind.”
“Let me show you to the buffet.” My mother escorted Nico down the hall, pausing for a split second to call over her shoulder. “Marchello, Lissia still hasn’t eaten.”
Marchello glared at me.
“I was getting to it, but someone said your father was here, and I wanted to see if that was true.” I shrugged. “I’m still not hungry.”
“I’m going to rescue Dad,” Milo said. “No offense.”
“None taken.” I motioned toward my mother and Nico as they walked to the dining room. “My mother can be very determined when she wants something.”
Marchello leaned me against the wall and placed his hands on either side of my face. “You have to eat. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“You can’t force me.”
“You don’t think so?” His lips tightened into a firm line. “You haven’t learned anything about me.”
“I’ll eat today.” I traced my finger down his jaw. “I promise.”
The last thing I wanted to do was argue with him, which was kind of strange. Whenever we were in a difficult situation, we fought. It was our comfort zone. But that wasn’t what I needed today.
I needed him to take care of me. To be all the things he wanted to be for me. My protector, my friend, my future husband.
“I’m going to hold you to that.” He held the side of my face. “I’m concerned for you.”
“I appreciate everything you’re doing. You’re taking such good care of me.”
“If you want some space.” He gazed into my eyes. “I’ll try to give it to you.”
“I don’t need space from you. I just need room to breathe and do things like eating on my own terms. Once we’re out of here and away from all these people, I’ll be more like myself.”
“You can be however you want to be. Losing a parent isn’t easy.”
“You know where I’m coming from.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Even if the circumstances aren’t the same.”
“Grief is grief.” He swept his lips across mine. “I’m here to listen, and if you don’t want to talk, I’ll just be here. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“It isn’t your fault.”
He looked down, giving me a glimpse of his broody, dark side. If we were anywhere else, I would have goaded him into telling me what he was thinking. But deep down, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“You’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met, but I can see where you get it.” I winked. “Daddy Accetti can wear Armani.”
“That’s a little disturbing.” He smirked. “But it’s the first glimmer of you I’ve seen in days, so I’ll take it.”
“I’ll get back to normal soon.”
“You take all the time you need.”
“I know how much you’ve needed your father. I’m happy he’s finally home.”
“Hmm…” He glanced at his feet again. “Yeah.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course. I’m just surprised that he would come here.”
“I know he and my dad were enemies, but like he said, we’re engaged. We’re going to be family.” I draped my arms over his shoulders. “You must be so relieved.”
“I am.”
“Does that mean he figured out what happened to Miguel? Is that why he came back?”
“I’d rather not discuss my father’s business here,” Marchello said.
“I get that, but can he stay?”
“I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to him about any of that. This is the first time I’ve seen him since he came home.”
That was odd. Why would Nico show up without letting Marchello know he was coming or that he was in town?
“Let’s get you something to eat.” He stroked my hair. “Then we can go home.”
Was he pushing me to eat so he could change the subject? Did I want to know what was going on?
“How about we make a platter to take home?” I asked. “I don’t feel like eating with all these people staring at me. It’s been a long day, and I’ve seen enough people. I just want to take off my dress and shoes and get into our bed and cuddle. I could probably sleep for two days.”
“That sounds like a solid idea.” He kissed me softly. “We can go to the kitchen and make a plate. They have tons of food in there, and no one will bother you.”
“Can you do it?” I asked. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Sure.”
“Can you also tell the staff they can take food home to their families? We have so much. I don’t want it to go to waste. We should pack up some for the guys too.”
“Whatever you want.” He ran his finger along my bottom lip. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” I smiled. “You’re taking such good care of me.”
“I always will.”
“Bye.” I waved as he went to the kitchen.
As sad as today had been, I got through it because Marchello had been with me. He was attentive and protective, making sure no one got too personal or said anything offensive. People offered a quick word and moved on. Most of them seemed afraid to approach me with him standing next to me.
I didn’t know many of the people here today, but my father had been in this business a long time. He had many associates. Allies, acquaintances, and enemies.
Speaking of which…
I wandered down the hall and peeked into the dining room, curious to see how people responded to Nico.
He was huddled in the corner, drinking vodka with several men I didn’t recognize. Maybe they had spoken to me earlier, but everyone started to blend.
Nico shook hands with a few, and it appeared that some were lining up to speak with him.
What were they talking about?
Milo stood by his side, occasionally whispering into his father’s ear. Nico would nod and then the next person would take their turn shaking his hand and getting a few minutes of conversation with him.
Why did these interactions intrigue me?
“Don’t you find that disrespectful?” Angelo, my father’s second, stood next to me.
“What is?” I asked.
“The way Nico is conducting business in your father’s house three days after his death.”
“I’m sure that isn’t what he’s doing.” I wasn’t sure of anything, but I had no reason to believe Nico was holding a business meeting in the middle of my father’s funeral luncheon. “He just returned from being away for a long time. He’s probably catching up.”
“You can’t be this naive.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Your boyfriend has been conducting business all afternoon, practically right in front of you. And now, Nico has shown up and is making sure everyone knows he is in control.”
“Isn’t he though? My father’s death didn’t change the order of things. The Accettis have always been the lead family.”
“Your father died in the middle of a war. There were power struggles because you managed to get yourself kidnapped.”
“There was a war because my father thought it was a good idea to marry me off to an arms dealer.”
“He was trying to make an alliance.”
“In an effort to take territory from the Accettis.” I held up my hand. “I don’t want to discuss this with you. Not today of all days. Not ever, really.”
“You’re going to have to discuss it with me,” Angelo said. “We should go to the study. There are things you need to know, and I should be the one to tell them to you. Your father would want me to protect you.”
“There is nothing you can tell me that Marchello won’t.” Defending Marchello came so naturally to me, but I couldn’t help but think I was dishonoring my father’s memory.
“Lissia, I don’t want to argue with you.” His voice wasn’t as sharp. “I’ve known you almost your whole life.”
“Then where were you when my father wanted to marry me off? Where were you when you could have intervened and stopped him and Collins from intercepting shipments? Or how about when he ordered a hit on Marchello and Milo and I got shot in the process? Where were you then?”
I didn’t want to rehash any of this. I’d tried to put the events behind me when I found out my father was dead. I wanted to forgive him for all the things he had done to me. But how could I when they would stare me in the face every day of my life?
“I regret many things that Gian did over the last few months, especially the things that hurt you, but what’s done is done. Right now, you need to listen to me.” He nodded toward Nico. “Can’t you see the blatant disrespect for the Gallanti family that is being carried out right now?”
“The fact that Nico is here shows respect. He came to offer his condolences to me, his future daughter-in-law.”
“He came so that everyone here knows he protected his territory and he avenged his sons.”
“What are you talking about?” A knot formed in my stomach. “What are you saying?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to have this conversation in private?”
“I want you to say what you think I need to know.”
“Always so stubborn.” He shook his head. “I thought you were smarter. Your father did you a disservice by sheltering you from his business.”
“Angelo.” I straightened, placing my hand on my hip. “Do you think coming at me on the day we buried my father is the right thing to do? Where is your loyalty?”
“My loyalty? You don’t ever have to question my loyalty. But I can tell you it will never be with you. Not as long as you stay in bed with the Accettis. Your father shielded you. Maybe that’s why you can’t see what’s right in front of you.” He laughed and nodded toward Nico. “He’s here taking responsibility for your father’s death.”
“What?”
“You can’t be this stupid.”
“You’re wrong.”
I stopped Marchello and my father from killing one another. Marchello chose to walk away. His father wouldn’t have done that.
“Look at your future father-in-law.” Angelo’s voice was laced with venom. “It’s business as usual for Nico and his heirs. He is an assassin, and he came home to avenge the attempted hit on his sons. They are using today to show they have always been in charge and will eliminate anyone who gets in their way. Even the father of Marchello’s intended bride.”
“Back off.” Marchello stood in front of me as Nico and Milo looked in our direction. “Or I will back you off.”
“Think long and hard about what I said.” Angelo pointed at me. “The truth is right in front of you.”
“Get out.” Marchello nodded for one of his security team to join us. “Do not approach Lissia again.”
“You’ve done a real number on this family,” Angelo said to Marchello as he pushed the guard out of his way. “I don’t need to be escorted out.”
Milo made his way across the room and followed Angelo down the hall. Nico nodded at Marchello before resuming his conversation with the men in front of him. In an instant, people went back to doing whatever they were doing, revealing Nico’s cold control over the room.
Marchello took my hand. “It’s time for us to go home. You don’t need to be subjected to anything else today.”
“What if I already am home?” I tugged out of his grasp.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me away from the crowd before stopping in the foyer. “Whatever Angelo said to you, I want you to forget.”
“Why is your family taking responsibility for killing my father?” I searched his eyes for any sign of remorse or regret. I found none. “Tell me the truth.”
There had to be an explanation. If the Accettis had done it, why wouldn’t Marchello tell me? He helped me plan the funeral and never said a word. I didn’t ask either. But I didn’t think I had to.
“Marchello.” That knot in my stomach twisted with fury. “What the hell is going on?”
“We’re not going to discuss this here.” He pointed toward the door. “I’ll get the car.”
“Why is your family taking responsibility for my father’s murder?” I raised my voice. “You need to tell me right now.”
“I don’t need to tell you anything.”
“Why won’t you?” I asked.
He had been so comforting through all of the funeral planning, keeping me sane and letting me feel my way through it. Did I misread him? Could he have betrayed me?
“Let’s go home,” he said.
“No.” I backed up when he reached for me. “Answer my question.”
“Because we are responsible.”