Page 114 of Vicious Vows

“She’ll know I destroyed the monster that hurt her.”

We both took aim, staring at one another with an unwavering determination. Which one of us would shoot first? My choices had brought me to this moment.

Kill or be killed.

TWENTY-SIX

Lissia

The drivefrom the penthouse to my childhood home took longer than expected because of an accident on the turnpike. The longer I sat in the back of Marchello’s SUV, the more anxious I became.

What am I hoping to accomplish?

Falling in love with Marchello had been the best experience of my life. But why did the trade-off for finding my soulmate have to be walking away from my father?

Because you fell for a man just as ruthless as your father.

Dom, who hadn’t said anything to me the entire ride, drove up the driveway leading to the house. He slowed the car and peered out the window. Three luxury cars lined the edge of the driveway.

“Do you recognize any of those cars?” he asked.

“Should I?” I glanced out the window. “Maybe my father has company.”

Two men got out of one of the cars and approached Dom’s window. I didn’t recognize them as either my dad’s men or Marchello’s team. Actually, I didn’t see any of my dad’s people surrounding the property.

“You have to turn around,” one of them said. “It’s not a good time to be here.”

“I have Lissia Gallanti with me.” Dom nodded toward the backseat. “She wants to see her father.”

“That’s not going to work,” the other guy said.

I lowered my window. “Why not?”

Neither man looked at me. How dare they dismiss me!

“Obviously, you’re new here, but I can assure you that my dad will see me, and if you don’t let me through, he’s going to be pissed,” I said. “Dom, just get me to the front door.”

“Turn around and take her home.” The taller of the two pointed down the driveway.

As Dom tried to get an answer from them, I peered out the front window of the SUV. Several men stood by the front door, keeping watchful eyes on the property.

Milo?

If Milo was here, then so was Marchello. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

I wanted to come here, inform my dad I didn’t want his help, and then start my life with Marchello.

As long as you and I are together, there will be no peace.Marchello’s words echoed in my head like a twisted mantra. The more I tried to deny his grim outlook on our future, the louder his words became.

I scooted along the seat and let myself out of the opposite door. I hustled up the driveway, ignoring the scary glances from the men in front of the house. I dealt with Marchello every day; no one could intimidate me more than he could.

“Lissia.” Dom swung open the driver’s side door. “You need to get back in the car.”

Dom’s shout must have caught Milo’s attention because he hurried down the steps and met me in the driveway.

“Not today, princess.” He held up his hand. “You have to go home.”

“This is my home.” I continued to the path that led to the house. “Or at least it used to be. I have every right to be here.”

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