Page 132 of Vicious Vows

My breath caught in my throat because I understood the finality this message would cause. Once I hung up, there was a possibility that I would never hear my father’s voice again. He was too proud to forgive such a betrayal, especially coming from one of his own.

“Anyway, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I want Marchello to be wrong about us never having peace because I want that for all of us. Bye, Daddy.”

I ended the call before I sobbed into the message.

My father is there somewhere.I wasn’t sure how, but I wished with all my heart that someday we could find a way to come to an understanding. We wouldn’t have the relationship we once had, but I refused to believe that this was it for us.

I didn’t think I could ever forgive him, but maybe there would be some kind of chance for us in the future.

* * *

Marchello

The first job my father took me on, I was sixteen. Vulnerable and impressionable, I wanted more than anything to be just like him.

“Don’t tell your mother,” he’d said as we turned the corner. “She has other plans for you.”

At thirty, I was still striving to be him. And tonight, he proved I wasn’t there yet. Because if I was, Gian would have been looking into my eyes before he died. My father would not have had to come home and finish the job I started.

“Chello.” Milo’s voice pulled me from my grim thoughts. “What’s our next move?”

I had forgotten I was on the phone with him.

Fuck!I had to stay focused.

“We have to take responsibility for this,” I said. “The other families will fall in line once they realize the Accettis ended this war.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”

I didn’t want to have to do it, but I had a responsibility to my family. Lissia was my family too. Once the dust settled, she would understand why this had to be done.

“It’s what I have to do.”

I gazed down the hallway, dreading what I had to do next. Telling Lissia that her father was murdered tonight wasn’t going to be easy, especially not after the way they left things. She was going to need a lot of therapy after this.

“Once we restore order to the organization, we’ll regain control,” I said. “The Feds will back off, and we can start moving shipments again. We have to get both cartels to trust that we can do what they need us to do.”

“I’m sure Dad knew we would figure it out and take the next steps.”

“He would be disappointed if we didn’t.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll bring Lissia to the main house tonight. It’s more secure there. I don’t want to take any chances.”

“With Collins?”

“He might use Gian’s death as an opportunity. He’ll think we’re too distracted to protect her. She’s going to have enough to deal with.”

“I don’t envy you,” Milo said.

“Just make sure we have enough security.”

“I’m on it.”

“Thank you.” I leaned against the banister. “Have Lucas meet us there. It’s going to be a long night. We have to make sure the other families know we’re not after them. I want business as usual.”

“I’ll call Ricardo too. He’s still at his mother’s, but I’m sure he’ll want to be here for Lissia.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said. “She leans on him.”

“Do you think I should make sure Dad’s room is in order?” Milo asked. “In case he comes home.”

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