Chapter 4
Four
Lissia
If my father thought I would comply with his latest request, he was out of his mind. Demanding I stay away from Marchello was bad enough, but this? No way!
“Lissia?” My father said from behind me as I tossed one shoe at a time out of my closet, trying to find the perfect pair for my new red dress. “Did you hear me?”
“I heard you.” I dug through a few boxes I had bought last spring when I was in Paris. None of them were right.
“Lissia,” my father barked. “Get out of the closet and look at me so I know you understand.”
“Fine.” I crawled out from the back of the closet with the box that contained the black ankle Manolo Blahnik boots.
He extended his hand and helped me off the floor. I hurried over to the bed with the box and lifted the lid. Perfect.
“Your lack of interest isn’t going to get you out of this,” he said. “You are going to marry Danny.”
“Please stop saying that.” I slipped one boot on, trying to block out this absurd conversation. The thought of his ridiculous demand made me sick. “I don’t want to marry Danny. Why would you even suggest something so off-the-wall?”
“Lissia, I give you everything you want,” he said with a sigh. “How much are those shoes you’re putting on your feet?”
“I don’t know.” That was the truth. I never looked at price tags. “I always do everything you ask, but I can’t do this. I can’t marry that man. We’re not compatible. I don’t even like him. He’s creepy.”
“You’ll grow to like him.”
“Why do you need me to do this?” I put on the other boot. “This is life-altering.”
“For all of us.” He sat next to me on the bed. “If Danny and I join forces, the Gallanti family becomes much stronger.”
“How much more power do you need?”
“You leave the business matters to me and you will continue to reap the benefits.” He patted my thigh. “Danny has assured me he will treat you well. I’ll make sure that he does.”
“I still don’t understand why I have to marry him.”
“Because what Danny has to offer me is very valuable in terms of business, but he needs reassurance that I won’t double-cross him. He’s not stupid.”
Yes, he is.
“By offering your hand in marriage, he knows I’m serious about this partnership. A man doesn’t just hand over his daughter to anyone. You’re far too precious to me.”
He was serious.
“Do you know what year it is?” I stood and paced the room. “I’m twenty-one and have a college degree. I don’t need an arranged marriage. I have plenty of time to figure out my life.”
“A college degree you have no intention of using.”
“That’s not true.” I had a degree in fashion design because it seemed like that was the direction I was heading in when I was eighteen. But who can pick a career path right out of high school? “You said I could take a few months off to find myself.”
“It’s been more than a few months.”
“I graduated early.”
“And I’m extremely proud of you, but now I’m setting you up for life.” He checked his phone. “Trust me, this is the best decision for all of us.”
“It isn’t for me.”
“Lissia, this isn’t up for discussion.” He stood from the bed. “I’m telling you that you will marry Danny.”
“Does Mom know this?” I asked. “She won’t let you do this to me.”
“Don’t go to your mother and try to have her talk to me. It won’t work.” He kissed my cheek. “I know what’s best for you. You need to trust me.”
I looked into his icy blue stare, but his eyes were vacant. His mind was made up. I would have to figure out a way to get out of this on my own.
“I have to make a call.” He looked me over. “The shoes are a perfect choice. Danny will be here soon, and I’m sure he’ll approve of the outfit.”
“I didn’t put on this dress for Danny. I chose it for me.”
“Such a stubborn girl.” He grinned. “That’s my fault.”
Once my father left the room, I checked my face in the mirror. There was no sense in throwing a temper tantrum just yet. No one was forcing me down the aisle today. I had time to come up with a plan.
My mother wouldn’t agree with this. Well, she might if it meant my father would cut her off financially if she didn’t take his side.
The kiss I had shared with Marchello flashed in my mind. His lips were all I’d thought about since I stormed out of his office yesterday. If there was any man I would wear a dress for, it would be him.
I took the back stairs that led to the kitchen. My father was on a phone call out on the patio. He usually took calls outside when he didn’t want to be overheard. Was he talking to Danny? Were they conspiring to marry me off?
I wanted to scream or vomit. Maybe both.
Trying not to make any noise, I opened the slider door just a crack as I shielded myself behind the curtain. I needed details of this crazy plan so I could formulate my own.
“As long as Nico Accetti stays where he is, we should have no problems securing that shipment and getting it through the ports,” he said.
Marchello’s father. Did my dad know where he was?
“The longer we can keep Accetti on the run, the better off we’ll be.” My father walked across the patio. “Marchello and Milo are not ready for what’s coming. We have to strike now.”
“What are you doing?” said a voice from behind me.
I jumped and turned to see Danny had entered the kitchen.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked.
“I’m here to see you.”
“Great.” I stepped away from the door, annoyed that I couldn’t eavesdrop on the rest of the conversation. “What do you want?”
“Why are you lurking behind the curtains?” He gazed out the window.
“I’m not lurking.” I sat down at the kitchen table. “Why are you sneaking up on me?”
“Didn’t your father tell you I was coming?”
“He mentioned it.”
“You look fantastic.” He sat across from me, stretching out his long legs. “Red is definitely your color.”
He wasn’t bad-looking. Most women would probably find his tall, lean form appealing. His blond hair and blue eyes were cute in a boyish way, but I preferred muscles, tattoos, dark hair, brooding eyes, and a confident swagger. Kind of like…
Not now.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Did your father also mention our arrangement?”
“He did.” I rested my hands on the table. “It isn’t something I’m interested in.”
“No one asked if you were interested.”
“That’s part of the problem.”
“Sweetheart.” Danny placed his large hand over mine. “I’ve gotten to know you pretty well these past few months.”
“Have you?” I glanced at our hands. “Because I don’t know anything about you.”
“That will change, but first, you’re going to have to make some changes if our relationship is going to work.”
“Like that’s going to happen,” I mumbled under my breath.
“That’s one of the things that will change.” He pointed at me. “Your disrespect. Your defiance. Your tantrums. I won’t be putting up with any of those things.”
“Then I guess you won’t be putting up with me.” I tugged my hands out from under his.
He grabbed my wrist.
“Let go of me.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” He squeezed my arm. “Your father is in an important territory dispute. One that will be beneficial if he gains total control. I’m going to help him do that, but I’m also going to help him get you under control.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
“I like your fire, Lissia, but in small doses. When we’re married, I’ll let you express yourself in certain ways, but I will be in control.”
“You’ll let me?” I jerked against his hold, but he wouldn’t relent. “I’m not marrying you.”
“Your father says otherwise.” He flashed a demented smile. “It’s only a matter of time, so get used to it.”
He released me, and I rubbed my wrist, grinding my molars as I glared at him.
“There’s also something else you’re going to have to get used to,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“No more visits with Marchello Accetti.”
“That’s none of your business.” I leapt out of my chair. “I’ll go where I want and when I want.”
He got up and came toward me. “I know about the cookie visit.”
“You’re following me?” This was out of control. What could my father be thinking?
“I’m keeping an eye on you.” He shrugged. “Making sure I know what you’re up to and who you’re up to it with.”
“I’m not marrying you.” I shook my head. “I won’t.”
“You already said that.”
“Then get it through your head.”
“Your father is having a party for us in a few days. I’ll propose that night in front of your family and some associates. Once our engagement is announced, he and I will form a partnership that no one will be able to stop.”
“You don’t need me for that alliance.”
“It’s the only way I can make sure your father stays loyal to me and he can trust that I won’t turn on him.” He tugged on the end of my hair and brought his lips close to mine.
I turned my head, forcing my cheek on him.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered into my ear. “I’m going to wait until our wedding night before I touch you. I’m traditional that way.”
“Leave me alone.”
“Your father speculated you’re a virgin.”
My breath hitched in my throat when he caressed my cheek.
“I’m going to make sure that’s true.”
“What?”
“Before the party, you and I will visit my doctor, and he will make sure you’re pure.”
“You’re vile.” I pushed him away from me. “I’m not going anywhere with you, and I’m certainly not going to prove anything to you.”
“Stop fighting me.”
My father came into the kitchen from the patio, and Danny stepped away.
“Good, you’re here,” my dad said. “Doesn’t Lissia look beautiful?”
“A vision.” Danny winked at me. “I’m a lucky man.”
“You are.” My dad smiled at me. “Lissia will make the perfect wife.”
“I need some air.” I took a breath. “I’ll be back later.”
“Where are you going?” Danny asked.
“Out.” I didn’t need to tell him where I went. If he was watching me, he would know. “I’ll be back later.”
“I would rather you stay here,” my dad said. “We’re going out to dinner, and I’d like for you to accompany us.”
“Us?” I asked.
“I’m taking you and Danny out so we can discuss the expectations of this arrangement.” My father looked at Danny. “But first, we have to take a meeting. I have some information that could be useful for our next shipment.”
“Don’t let me stop you.” I waved to them, but they already had their backs to me and were on their way to my father’s study.
I leaned against the counter. How had I gone from living a carefree and privileged existence to being forced into an arranged marriage with such a disgusting individual? A marriage I didn’t want or need.
Think, Lissia. Think . There had to be a way out of this. What would tank this alliance? A missing bride? That could work. How?
I could form my own alliance with the enemy. In exchange for the little information I had, he could protect me.
It was a long shot. But it was a shot I had to take.
I grabbed my bag from the center island and crept out the patio doors as I dug around in my purse for my keys. My plan needed to be implemented before my dad realized I was missing.
I hurried across the lawn and to the free-standing garage on the side of the property. The doors were up, so I slipped in quickly and made my way to my car. As I put my hand on the door handle, someone placed theirs over mine.
Screeching, I twisted to find Michael in front of me.
“What the hell are you doing scaring me like that?” I asked.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going out.”
“Alone?”
“It’s just a quick errand.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I don’t need you to go with me.”
“Where are you going?”
“Michael, I need to get out of here for a bit.” I liked him. He had been guarding me for the past few years. He was sweet and easy to manipulate. “I’ll be fine.”
“Your dad isn’t happy with me for leaving you alone at the gala the other night. If he finds out I let you leave here on your own, I’ll get into a lot of trouble.”
“Then don’t let him find out.”
“I can’t lie to him,” Michael said.
“I don’t want you to get into trouble, but this is something I have to do alone.”
“You’re going to see Accetti, aren’t you?”
“What? Why would you say that?”
Is everyone watching me?
“Danny told some of the team that we should make sure you don’t have any contact with that family. He made it clear that they were off-limits.”
“Danny isn’t in charge of me.” Who did he think he was telling my guards where I could and couldn’t go? “He’s not a good person.”
“Your father trusts him.”
“My father is making a mistake.” I placed my hand on Michael’s shoulder. “I’ve never given you any problems. Have I?”
“Um…” He pressed his lips together.
“Okay, other than being demanding and spoiled.” I rolled my eyes. “There was that one time I had that run-in with that girl at the club, but that was totally her fault.”
“The one wearing the knock-off Prada?”
“Yes, see what I mean? I’ve never gotten into serious trouble.” But what I was about to do could be serious. “You have to trust me.”
“The climate around here is changing. Now that Nico Accetti is MIA, people are making moves for territory. It’s getting dangerous out there,” Michael said.
“Accetti territory is in danger?”
That was why Marchello was on edge. That was why he told me he wasn’t going to let me distract him or mess with his head. Damn. Persuading him to help me was going to be a lot harder if he really thought I was the enemy.
“Just turn around and pretend you didn’t see me,” I said. “I need to leave right now.”
My father was going to make a move against Marchello and his family, even though Marchello had saved my life the other night. I couldn’t let that happen.
I opened my car door and got inside.
“Lissia,” Michael said. “Don’t do whatever you’re planning. It won’t end well for you.”
If I stayed here, I would have to marry Danny. If I warned Marchello, I would betray my family.
“I’m screwed either way.”