Chapter 2
Two
Lissia
Chaos.
That was what I found in Marchello’s mocha-colored eyes. Beautifully irresistible mayhem that should have scared me off.
But it didn’t.
Instead, the expression thrusted me into his path.
When he took his gaze away from me, I put some distance between us. His presence created an overwhelming intensity within me that I didn’t know what to do with.
I ran my hand along the smooth paint of the black Corvette. If I could get my father to buy one for me, I would have an excuse to see Marchello again.
A loud snap blasted through the room. A firecracker?
“Fuck.” Marchello drew his gun but didn’t make eye contact with me.
I followed his gaze to a muscular man with neck tattoos trailing up his jaw. The frightening guy pointed his gun in my direction.
The room exploded into confusion. People who had been laughing and drinking a few seconds ago now screamed and took cover behind the cars.
Everything unfolded at a rapid pace. The imminent danger didn’t occur to me.
“Get down.” Marchello shoved me, knocking the wind out of me when my bottom hit the ground. “Stay there.”
I glanced up at him just as he pulled the trigger. Crossing my arms over my chest, I closed my eyes, hoping this would be over soon.
Glass shattered around us, followed by more wails of terror. I pulled my knees to my chest and leaned against the driver’s side door.
When.I opened my eyes, Marchello dropped down next to me and peered around the corner of the car, aiming his gun across the room.
I inched closer to him. “What the hell is happening?”
“Milo’s got it.” He looked me over. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” I wasn’t hurt, but my stomach churned and my body trembled like when I was in school and I had to stand up and speak. I fucking hated public speaking, but I disliked being shot at more.
“Come on.” He stood amid people fleeing toward the exit.
“You said to stay down.”
“Now I’m telling you to get up.” He placed his gun back in the holster. “Let’s go.”
“What? Where? Get down. You could get shot.” I looked around wildly, waiting for the next round of bullets to fly. “You could get me shot. Are you crazy?”
“My brother and our security team are handling the situation.” He extended his hand to me. “I took out the first shooter. The second one has been disarmed.”
“You did?” Did I want to take the hand of a killer?
If the killer looked like him, I did. Call me shallow, but I was a slut for a dark and dangerous older man who knew how to wear a custom suit. Well, maybe not a slut since I’d never actually cashed in my V-card, but still, I could be his slut.
I took his hand and tried to get off the floor with some dignity as I tugged on my dress. My shaky legs were no help, and my heart beat faster than normal.
All I wanted to do was win the Gucci bag. I should have left with my mother.
“Your ass was hanging out before you hit the floor.” Marchello guided me around the Corvette, not at all affected by the fact that the people who were supposed to be here for an important evening were now leaving. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Why were you looking?” I asked. You crass jerk.
“Isn’t that why you flaunt it?” He guided me up the grand staircase and to the landing that overlooked the showroom floor. “So men like me can admire you?”
“No, I dress like this for me.”
He glanced over his shoulder and gave me a yeah, right look.
Why is he so sexy?
“Wait.” I turned and pointed across the room to the body on the ground. “There’s a dead man on your floor. Doesn’t that concern you?”
“The police will be here soon.” He punched in a code on a keypad, and a door opened. “We’ll pull the security footage, and they will see I acted in self-defense. My lawyer will take care of it. I pay him enough.”
He nudged me into a large, fancy room with a mahogany desk and black furniture. The crisp aroma of leather and spice surrounded me.
“Sit down,” he said.
“Is this your office?” I asked.
“It’s my father’s, but I’m using it while he’s away.” He stalked to a set of built-in shelves in the corner of the room and took out a bottle and two glasses from the cabinet.
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.” He poured the amber liquid into the crystal glasses and then joined me on the couch. He handed me one. “Drink this. It will settle your nerves.”
“What is it?” I took the drink and sniffed the fruity contents. “Is it sweet?”
“Brandy.” He chugged his. “It reminds some people of apples, but it’s alcohol to me. I prefer vodka.”
When I pressed my lips to the rim of the glass, his gaze followed my mouth. I closed my eyes and sampled the liquid before slinging my head back and finishing the drink in one gulp like he had.
Despite the sweet, woodsy flavor, the liquid burned my chest and made my stomach ache. I crinkled my nose and set the glass on the coffee table. Too strong!
“Not up to your standards, princess?”
“I broke a nail.” I held up my finger. “So no, I’m not.”
“Are you kidding me?” He raised his deep, sexy voice. “You almost got shot, and you’re worried about your nails?”
“I just got this manicure today.”
“You’re as spoiled as I thought you were.” He went back to the cabinet. “Probably more, if that’s even possible.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you don’t have the street smarts to take cover during an active shooting situation.” He poured himself another drink. “Isn’t that basic training for those of us who grew up in this environment? Hell, these days, everyone knows to get away from the threat.”
“Obviously, my father has the skills to keep us safe, because I have never been shot at before.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I know where my father is. You can’t say the same.”
“Don’t talk about things you know nothing about.” He drained his glass and then slammed it on the counter, causing me to jump. “You have no idea what my father has done for his family.”
I’d hit a nerve, and considering he did save my life, I probably should be nicer.
“You’re right.” I slipped the wrap from my shoulders before getting up and joining him by the shelves. “I’ve never been in a situation where I was being shot at. I guess I panicked. It’s a blur.”
“You were stupid.”
“Seriously? Are you always so rude?”
“Are you always so clueless?”
“You’re impossible.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m trying to thank you for helping me.”
“Helping you?” He quietly laughed. “Try keeping you alive.”
“You’re a little dramatic.”
“Was there supposed to be gratitude in there, princess? Because if there was, I didn’t hear it.”
“Maybe you weren’t listening.”
As I turned away from him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. This time, when my heart raced, it wasn’t from fear. His dark gaze burned into mine as he tightened his grip.
“Try again.” He let go of me.
“Try what again?”
“The gratitude.” He loosened his tie, revealing some of the ink sprawled along his neck. “For saving your life.”
“Thank you.”
I touched my throat, trailing my thumb to my lips and biting down when I thought about what the rest of his body looked like. Was his chest covered in tattoos? Would I ever get to see the six-pack abs I was certain were beneath that shirt?
“What’s got you so quiet all of a sudden?” He inched closer to me, dropping his gaze to my lips. “The next time you hear gunfire, your best bet is to take cover.”
“If it ever happens again, hopefully I’ll be with you.”
He brushed his fingers over my shoulder, and I swore the temperature in the room spiked. He traced a finger along my collarbone as he lowered his lips to mine.
Should I protest? Pretend I’m offended? Slap him? Give in? Let him kiss me?
“Lissia.” His warm, brandy-scented breath danced across my lips. “I don’t want to see you back at this dealership unless it’s to buy a car. Are we clear?”
“Hmm…” I tilted my head, pressing my heels into the floor and steadying myself. When he tucked my hair behind my ear, my stomach fluttered with anticipation. “You should know something about me.”
“I live for the fucking moment. Tell me.”
“I talk back.” I ran my fingers along his stubble-covered jaw, drawing his face closer to mine. “And I don’t listen.”
“I never would have guessed.”
“Marchello.” Milo tapped on the office door.
“What?” Marchello stepped away from me, and the door opened.
Poor timing, Milo!
“The police are here,” he said. “Most of our associates left before they arrived.”
“That’s a good thing.” Marchello adjusted his tie, covering all that glorious ink. “I don’t need them thinking they can’t do business here without getting caught up in a bullshit investigation.”
“Lucas is taking their questions, but they’re going to want to see you about the shooting.” Milo smiled at me. “Are you okay?”
“Thanks to your brother, I am.”
“Glad to hear it.” Milo winked.
Marchello stared between the two of us.
I said, “I can give a statement and let them know I was in the line of fire and Marchello did what he had to do.”
That should earn me some points.
“No.” Marchello glared at me. “You’re not getting involved.”
“I’m already involved.” And if his attorney and the police needed more information, I would have a reason to see him again. Although, I still wanted to buy the car. “You’re going to need my help.”
“It might help the interrogation go faster,” Milo said.
“I said no,” Marchello barked. “She’s not talking to the police.”
“I would have to agree,” my father said from the doorway. “Lissia?”
“Daddy.” As I joined him, Danny Collins, his newest associate, wasn’t far behind.
My dad looked at the Accetti brothers. “What happened?”
“Oh my God!” I screeched. “There was a shooting. Everything was going well. People were having such a great time and then, well, thank God I was with Marchello. He saved me.”
Marchello and Milo stood in front of their father’s desk, as if they were guarding the space.
“Sounds like quite the ordeal.” My father caught my wrist in his hand. “Are you injured?”
“No, it all happened so fast.” I glanced back at Marchello. “I wasn’t in any danger.”
“That’s not true.” Danny entered the room. “You must be traumatized.”
“I’m fine.” I straightened my posture when he stood beside me. “I didn’t realize you would be with Daddy tonight.”
“I didn’t realize your guard would leave you alone.” Danny shook his head. “Gian, you’re going to have to do something about that. It’s unacceptable.”
“I told Michael to leave me here to wait for you. Mom had other plans.” I inched away from Danny and bumped into Marchello’s chest. “I didn’t want her to be alone in the city.”
“So, instead, you were alone,” my father said. “Your mother should know better. What is wrong with that woman?”
“She wasn’t alone.” Marchello acknowledged my father’s presence. “I told Rosalie I would look after her until you arrived.”
Actually, my mother told Marchello he would look after me, but did that really matter?
“I’d say you didn’t do a very good job,” Danny said.
“Would you?” Marchello asked. “Because I don’t remember asking your opinion.”
I smiled at Marchello. “Marchello pushed me out of the line of fire and still managed to shoot the guy. He was extremely brave.”
“Mr. Gallanti.” Milo motioned to the door. “Can I offer you and your guest a drink? I’m sure we can salvage something from the bar downstairs.”
“No, thank you,” my dad said.
He placed his hand on my back and ushered me closer to Danny and away from Marchello. Did he do that on purpose?
“Mr. Accetti,” my dad said. “I appreciate the assistance you offered my daughter this evening. I don’t want to think about what might have happened if you weren’t there.”
“Maybe if her guard was with her she wouldn’t have needed his protection?” Danny’s large form was so close to me, it sucked the air from my lungs. “Perhaps I should take over her security?”
Eww.
My dad remained focused on Marchello. “In any case, I appreciate what you did this evening. I’m sure your father would be very proud of you.”
Uh-oh…sore subject.
“Myself and the other families are all praying for his safe return.” My dad nodded at Danny. “If there is anything we can do to help with that matter, please don’t hesitate to ask us.”
“We appreciate that,” Milo said.
“I didn’t realize you and Mr. Collins were associates,” Marchello said. “It’s an interesting dynamic.”
“Well.” Danny’s gaze trailed along my body, landing on my cleavage. “I go where the business leads me.”
“I’m sure,” Marchello said. “If you’ll excuse us, my brother and I are needed downstairs.”
“How unfortunate for you that the police are crawling all around your place of business,” Danny said. “That can’t be good.”
“We will be fine.” Marchello pointed toward the exit.
My father stood in the center of the room, imposing his authority. “I have one more thing to say. While I appreciate what you did for Lissia this evening, I hope you understand that I’m going to request that you stay away from my daughter.”
“What?” I gasped. “Why?”
“Given our family history, there would be no reason for the two of you to cross paths again,” my dad said to Marchello. “I’m sure I can trust you to honor that request.”
“Of course,” Marchello said without even looking at me. “I have no interest in your daughter. But I agree with Mr. Collins that perhaps a new guard is in order.”
What the actual fuck?
“That’s not your concern,” Danny said. “Lissia, we should go.”
“Agreed,” my father said. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t I get a say in any of this?” I set my hand on my hip. No way was I letting all these testosterone-fueled idiots dictate my life. “You’re all standing there talking about me like I’m not even here.”
“Lissia.” My father glared at me. “We are leaving.”
“Fine.” I thought better of arguing with him, but I stepped toward Marchello, ignoring Danny’s disapproving sigh. “I want to thank you again.”
“It’s not necessary,” Marchello said. “I did what I had to do.”
“You saved me.” I rested my hands on his lapels, delighting in the strength of his broad shoulders. “I owe you.”
“No, you don’t.” He gazed into my eyes as if we were the only two in the room. “You should go.”
“Maybe one day you’ll think of something I can do to repay you.” I stretched up on my toes and kissed his cheek, lingering a few seconds longer than necessary to whisper in his ear. “I’ll be waiting.”
As I slowly removed my lips from his stubble-covered jaw, he caught my hip in his hand and smirked at me with his sexy, full lips.
“Lissia.” My father cleared his throat as he grabbed my wrap from the couch. “I’m not going to say it again.”
“I’m ready now.” I joined my dad by the door, glancing over my shoulder and smiling at Marchello.
Mr. Accetti, you are worth breaking all the rules for. No matter the consequences.