Page 108 of Vicious Vows

“How does your father feel about you sleeping with my son?” he asked.

“Given the current climate of our families, how do you think he feels?” I got down on the floor to look for the brown boots that would pair so well with the green dress. “I’m trying to find a solution.”

“You’re trying to find a solution?”

“Am I supposed to sit around and do nothing?”

Yes, that’s exactly what you promised Marchello you would do.

“Hasn’t Marchello warned you that there is no resolution?”

“I don’t believe that.” I opened the box with the boots, breathing in the fresh new scent of the imported leather. “There has to be a solution for all of us. What if my father could…”

Marchello told me to drop this.

“What is it you think your father can do, mafia princess?” Nico’s smooth voice dripped with sarcasm and was laced with the same smugness I’d grown to love from Marchello.

“What if the families joined forces? Used both of their resources to figure out how to get you home?” Didn’t that make sense?

“Then I would be indebted to the man who tried to murder both of my sons, and that isn’t a position I would ever want to find myself in.”

Okay, that made a little more sense.

“That’s a fair point, but your odds are looking pretty slim.” I leaned against the wall and pulled my knees into my chest. “Mine aren’t looking that great either.”

“Your father can’t help me, and if he says he can, he’s lying to get you to come home.”

How did he know that?

I didn’t want to believe that because I wanted more than anything to reunite Marchello with Nico. Running this business was putting too much stress on Marchello. He needed his father’s guidance.

“Your father is predictable, which is why he doesn’t have the power I have. So, if my son hasn’t already told you, don’t do him any favors.”

“Marchello needs you,” I said. “There’s too much going on. He carries it all on his shoulders.”

“When I left him, we weren’t at war.”

“You blame me for that.”

“No, it’s not your fault, but the situation has become dire. My son has developed feelings for you.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“These feelings are clouding his judgment.”

“That’s why you need to come home and do what he can’t. You’re not done teaching him.” I rested my head against the wall. “He needs you.”

“Marchello is smart and calculated, and with Milo’s help, they will figure this out.” He cleared his throat. “You have to stay out of his way and let him do his job. I will get myself home without your father’s help.”

“Do you think my father was lying to me when he said he has information that will help you?”

“Even if he has information, I wouldn’t trust it.” He paused for a moment. “Gian came after my family. I realize you want to believe he will help you, but that help will cause you a great deal of suffering.”

“He might back off if I can get him to see how much Marchello means to me. I know there is bad blood between our families, but I’m his daughter. I’ll make him understand that helping you and letting me be with Marchello will go a long way in restoring our relationship.”

“He ordered a hit and shot you in the process.” He sighed. “Before that, he tried to force you to marry an arms dealer. I’m not certain that deal is off the table. Your father has big plans for my territory. As long as I’m out of the country and my sons are no longer in the picture, he believes he can succeed.”

“He won’t go after Marchello again. I’ll make sure of that.”

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