Page 22 of Vicious Vows

“I’m well.” The brute put his arm around my girl. “It’s been too long.”

“I knew you were bringing a companion, Marchello, but I had no idea it was Gian’s daughter.” Mateo sipped his drink. “It’s usually hard to surprise me, but this is pretty shocking.”

“There was an interesting turn of events, which is how I ended up intercepting your shipment.” I glanced at Lissia who was now telling the bartender what she wanted to drink. “That was never my intention.”

“I see.” Lorenzo glanced at Mateo. “I knew Gian was having trouble in his organization, but I didn’t know what the problem was.”

“It’s me.” Lissia raised her flute full of prosecco. “I’m the problem.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Lorenzo stared at her longer than I would have liked. “You were always getting into trouble when you were younger. Running around causing mischief.”

“I’d like to say I’ve outgrown that but…” She sipped her drink and then smirked at me. “I can’t.”

Lorenzo and Mateo hung on Lissia’s every word while Lucas and my brother stayed in the background and watched the story unfold.

“As I said.” I lifted my glass from the bar. “Things got complicated, but we’re back on track, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to set things right with your organization.”

“We can discuss business tomorrow.” Lorenzo inched closer to Lissia. “Tonight, I’d like to get to know you and your associates a little better, and I’d love to get reacquainted with my old friend. We have so many memories of our adventure-filled childhood.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it.” I tightened my fingers around my glass.

“But first,” Lorenzo said, “I’d like to know how Lissia ended up in the middle of all this.”

Before I could formulate the appropriate explanation, Lissia stepped in between me and Lorenzo.

“My father promised me to Danny Collins without my consent. Can you believe that? An arranged marriage?” She gazed into my eyes, then glanced back at her two attentive admirers. “As if. Do I strike you as the type of woman who would agree to something like that?”

Fuck.

“Anyone who knows you should know you wouldn’t,” Mateo said. “What was your father thinking?”

“Right?” She patted my chest. “If it weren’t for Marchello, I would be in absolute hell.”

“Collins let you walk away with his intended bride?” Lorenzo asked me. “This war I’m caught in the middle of is because you took Lissia from him?”

“We’re sorry that you got thrown into all of this,” I said. “That’s why we’re here. We want to make it right.”

“I want Danny out of our lives.” Lissia set her glass on the bar. “Can you believe he held me hostage in a gross cabin last week? He even knocked me out.” She pointed to her fading bruise. “He did this. I tried to cover it with makeup but it looks terrible.”

Why is she talking?

“What?” Lorenzo glared at me. “Is this true?”

“I told you it was complicated, but I’m working it out.” I tried to control the twitching in my palm, but all I could think about was throwing Lissia over my knee and making her shut up. “You’re the first step, but I will handle Collins.”

Lissia nodded toward the table of men in the corner. “Is that your dad’s guard? Anton?”

“Do you remember him? I’m sure he’d love to say hello to you.” Lorenzo turned to me. “Would it be okay if Mateo and I took Lissia over to say hello?”

Not at all. But what am I going to do? Alienate a possible ally?“Of course.”

“I’ll be right back.” Lissia kissed my cheek. “Can you believe I know these guys?”

As she hurried off to greet another old friend, I chugged my vodka.

“Can my brother get another one?” Milo pointed to my glass. “I need you to control your trigger finger. We cannot take out a cartel member in his hotel.”

“You don’t think so?” I glared at him before returning my attention to Lissia who had captivated six brutal, merciless men in a matter of two minutes.

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