Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Marchello
The thought of settling the score with Gian had plagued me for days. Taking down an enemy was always complicated, but when you were sleeping with that enemy’s daughter, well, that brought intricate to a whole new level.
This is why you don’t get into bed with rival families.
Eliminating Collins wouldn’t be a problem. He had no affiliation with the other crime families in the city. And now that I had Lorenzo’s backing, I didn’t have to worry about cartel retaliation for any business moves I made when it came to Collins.
Gian was a completely different animal. If I took him out, it wouldn’t be a cartel I would have to worry about. The consequences of killing him would follow me forever. His daughter would never forgive me. I’d have to make sure she never found out who was responsible.
Could we survive such a betrayal?
Lissia took her time folding her expensive clothes and putting them into the suitcase, treating each one with care and respect. She was still recovering, and although she insisted she wasn’t in any pain, her tranquil demeanor said otherwise.
Her pale green sundress complimented her tanned skin and silky, dark hair. This was the first time she had worn anything other than her pajamas since her father tried to kill me and shot her in the process.
“Why are you staring at me?” she asked.
“Because you’re beautiful.”
“I’m a wreck.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I don’t have any makeup on.”
“I prefer you just the way you are.” I slipped my watch on my wrist. “Your natural face is stunning.”
“You’re being extremely nice to me.”
“I can be nice.”
“You do realize you haven’t yelled at me or disapproved of anything I’ve done in two days.” She tapped her fingertips against one another. “How come?”
“Maybe you haven’t done anything to provoke me.”
“You’ve been taking such good care of me. I thought I would give you a break.”
“That was very generous of you.” Now that she had gotten some of her energy back, something told me our truce was about to end.
“I wish we didn’t have to leave.” She folded a black dress and placed it in the suitcase. “I like it here.”
“You were shot here.” I knotted my tie. “I would’ve thought you’d never want to come back.”
“I was almost shot in New York and I’m going back there.” She put a pair of shorts in the suitcase. “Do you avoid every place you’ve gotten shot?”
“I try not to get shot.”
“That’s a smart plan.” She ran her hand over her injured hip as her face twisted in discomfort. “I’ll have to remember that next time.”
I hated that she was uncomfortable because I was the target in her father’s misguided attempt to prove a point.
“Hey.” I took her hand and brought her to me. “There isn’t going to be a next time.”
“I’d feel better if you knew who the bullet was meant for.” She traced her fingers along my jaw. “Wouldn’t you?”
I couldn’t tell her who shot at us. Knowing the order came from her father would break her heart. Then when the time came for me to go after Gian, Lissia would know it was in retaliation for coming at me and hitting her instead. She would never forgive herself.
Or me.
“You don’t need to worry about any of that.” I ran my hand through her hair. “I will handle it.”
“How can you handle it if you don’t know who the threat is?”
“I’m meeting with Lorenzo and Milo in a few minutes. Why don’t you take Ricardo and sit by the pool until I’m done?”
“Does that mean you don’t want me to eavesdrop?”
“The last time you did that, you contacted your father and tried to negotiate a deal. We both know how that ended.” I tightened my grip on her hair. “I do not want a repeat of that, and neither do you.”
I pressed my lips together, trying not to think about her stepping in between all of those guns that day in the woods.
“I get it,” she said. “Getting shot the other night was not my fault, you know? I was minding my business.”
“I’m well aware.” I released her and went back to getting dressed.
There was plenty of blame to go around for her getting caught in the path of a stray bullet. Most of it belonged to me. If I had let her walk out of the dealership the night I took her hostage, she wouldn’t be in this situation.
Then again, she would be in a far worse position. Her father would have forced her to be Collins’ bride. Was being married to a madman safer than pledging her loyalty to me?
She came up behind me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
“You’re brooding,” she said. “What’s wrong?”
“I always brood.” I smiled. “You should be used to it by now.”
“I am, but your mood has been really intense since the shooting.” She wiggled around until she stood in front of me. “You have a lot on your mind.”
“I don’t like being shot at.”
“Then you need to pick another line of work.” She straightened my tie and motioned toward my gun that was on the dresser. “If you did something that didn’t require you to carry that, maybe people wouldn’t shoot at you.”
“I guess we’ll never know.” I circled her in my arms and brought her closer to me. “Once we’re home, I’ll settle down.”
“When I’m locked in the tower?”
“At least I know you’re safe in the tower.”
“I don’t blame you for what happened the other night.”
No, you should blame your father.
“I thought you liked being my prisoner.” I took her chin between my fingers. “Don’t you?”
“It has its advantages.”
“We’ll have to investigate those advantages later.” I lowered my lips to hers and slowly explored her mouth with my tongue. “When you’re feeling better.”
“I’m feeling much better.” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “Cancel your meeting and I’ll show you.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I’m going to have to decline.” I stole a kiss before releasing her and guiding her to sit on the bed. “I want you off your feet now.”
“You’re bossy.”
“I know.” I caressed her cheek. “You like that about me.”
“About your mood…”
“This again?” I turned and reached for my suit jacket that was slung over the chair. “I told you I’ll calm down once we’re home.”
“I just wanted to say that whatever is on your mind, you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”
I kind of do.
“You can talk to me,” she said. “I’m here for you.”
“That’s sweet of you.” I pulled on my jacket and fastened the middle button. “I don’t want you to worry about me.”
It was my job to take care of her. Keeping her safe was my main concern, but protecting her from ever finding out what her father had done was front and center.
“I can be more than the woman you sleep next to every night.”
“What?” I faced her, fighting the urge to yell at her for bringing this up now when I had so much to deal with. “You are more than that.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
“You’re wrong.” I dropped down in front of her and took her hand in mine. “I have to focus on my business and concentrate on keeping us all safe, do you understand?”
“That’s why I want you to know I’m here for you.” She squeezed my hand. “I still want to stand by your side, but you’re so conflicted.”
“Can you blame me?”
“I’m here, Marchello. I’m not going anywhere.”
She meant that, but sometimes circumstances were beyond our control. I could lose her in an instant. How would I ever come back from that?
For the past twelve years, I had witnessed the torment and agony my father experienced every day since losing my mother. She died at the hands of his enemy, and he never forgave himself.
“You might not mean to leave.” I stared into her eyes, willing her to drop this.
“I want to understand you. Help me do that.”
I let go of her hand and stood. “Ricardo is waiting for you by the pool.”
“Don’t dismiss me.” She winced and held her side as she got off the bed. “I want to be here for you.”
“Don’t.” I held up my hand. “I can’t do this now.”
“There’s never a right time for you, is there?” She hurried toward the door, but I grabbed her wrist. “Ricardo is waiting for me, remember?”
I kept my hold on her, but I didn’t look in her eyes. Instead, I focused on my gun. The gun I would have to use to avenge the shooting. An act that I would never be able to come back from. How could I allow her to comfort my tormented soul when the very thing that brought me so much anguish would also be the one thing that would destroy us?
“It’s difficult for me to let you in.” I kept my voice low. “But I know you’re here.”
“Chello, we’re here,” Milo called from the other room.
“Your brother’s timing sucks.” She let go of my hand and left the room in a huff.
Maybe it’s our timing that sucks.
I put my gun in the holster and straightened my jacket over it before joining everyone in the front of the suite.
Lissia hugged Lorenzo, then kept her hand in his as they spoke.
“How are you feeling?” Lorenzo asked her.
“Marchello is taking very good care of me,” she said. “I’m not an easy patient either.”
She could be demanding, but there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. When had I become so taken?
“Hey.” Milo plopped down on the couch. “What about me? I binged watched all three Godfathers with you yesterday, and the third one was very painful to get through.”
I stared at my brother, still trying to figure out how he sat through that many hours, but then I remembered Lissia could be persuasive.
“You’re my very best friend.” Lissia blew Milo a kiss.
He pretended to catch it while smiling at me. “Did you hear that, Chello? I’m her best friend.”
“Lissia, Ricardo is waiting for you.” I opened the patio doors, ignoring Milo’s goading. “It’s a beautiful morning. Not too humid.”
“I guess that’s my cue to leave.” She kissed Lorenzo’s cheek. “Will you come to New York and visit us?”
Lorenzo walked her to the doors. “I have a feeling I’ll be coming there soon.”
So do I.
“I look forward to it.” Lissia gazed at me. “I’ll be outside following your orders like a good little hostage.”
She must be feeling better. She’s provoking me.
I caught her hand. “Don’t give Ricardo any trouble.”
“Ha!” Milo laughed. “She can’t help herself.”
Lissia flipped Milo the finger before hurrying out of the suite. I won’t forget your vulgar gesture, princess.
“I like her,” Lorenzo said. “If she’s ever too much for you to handle, I’d be happy to have her come stay with me in Argentina.”
“That’s never going to happen.” I closed the doors. “She’s quite content with me.”
“Content with being your hostage?” Lorenzo asked.
“It was either me or Collins. What would you have done?”
“I would have gone to war for her too.” His gold pinky ring shimmered in the sunlight streaming in from the doors when he gestured between me and Milo. “And that’s exactly where we all find ourselves.”
“Milo and I will handle Gian. I’m hoping you’ll keep a close eye on the Collins situation.”
“I believe he’s still in Miami,” Lorenzo said.
“That would be stupid.” Milo poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher on the bar cart. “But I guess he was never really that smart. That botched hit proved that.”
“What makes you think he’s still here?” I glanced out the window, keeping Lissia in my view.
“I locked down this city once we had confirmation Gallanti ordered that hit. There aren’t many places Collins can hide here. I have people all over this town.”
“Gian has resources.” Milo set his glass on the cart. “We can’t underestimate him.”
“We’re not going to,” I said.
“Collins will be dealt with.” Lorenzo joined me by the window. “But I have to ask, are you going to be able to handle Gian?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I asked.
“Given your relationship with his daughter, it might be a sensitive situation,” Lorenzo said. “I don’t mean to insult your position of authority.”
“We understand your concern.” Milo opened the refrigerator and grabbed three beers. He opened the bottles and nodded toward them. “But we are Accettis, and we do what has to be done.”
Milo had a way with negotiations. When he brought up our last name, he spoke in a code only I would understand. We needed to halt the conversation because we couldn’t take out Gian without an order from the head of this family. Although I stood in our father’s place, I couldn’t make that decision on my own. No matter how much I wanted to go home and blow Gian’s head off.
“When Lissia was hurt,” Lorenzo said, “I told you all of my resources were at your disposal. That offer still stands.”
“I appreciate that.” I gazed out to find Lissia laughing at something Ricardo said as he sat on the lounge chair with her. I would do everything in my power to keep that smile on her face. If it meant keeping Ricardo by her side, I would do it. Even though he didn’t deserve the position.
“I don’t envy the choice you’re going to have to make.” Lorenzo stared out at the pool. “But you know as well as I do that men like us have to make the tough decisions to protect those we love, even if they can never forgive us.”
“About that drink.” Milo tossed me a bottle. “I’m thirsty.”
Lorenzo joined him, picking up a bottle and raising it to me. “To our new partnership. I’m expecting a long and lucrative one.”
“So are we.” Milo knocked his bottle against Lorenzo’s. “We won’t disappoint you.”
I lifted my bottle and toasted with them before taking a chug of the cold drink as I stared out onto the patio. Seeing Lissia vibrant and alive should have been enough for me to be thankful that I was able to bring her back to New York laughing and breathing rather than accompanying her coffin.
Instead, my rage clawed to break free. I had been so close to losing her the other night. If fate hadn’t intervened so that the bullet grazed her hip, the circumstances could have been far worse.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Visions of Lissia doubled over in pain, bleeding and shaking on the humid, chaos-filled terrace crossed my mind. Her wide eyes were confused and afraid as she clung to me for reassurance. I cradled her head in my lap and promised her I would take care of her and make everything okay.
When Lorenzo asked me if I was capable of doing what had to be done, the answer would always be yes. Gian ordered a hit on my brother and me with Lissia standing by my side. She might not ever understand the consequences of the choice her father made, but he would. I had a vow to make, no matter how vicious it was.
Her father would answer for his transgressions against her with his life. I would make sure of that. No matter the costs.