Page 52 of Vicious Vows

“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.

TWELVE

Lissia

Being backin Manhattan didn’t do much for my current situation. Nico was still MIA, Danny hadn’t resurfaced after that day in the woods, and I was no closer to resolving this absurd war between Marchello and my father.

Being a mafia princess wasn’t always easy.

Gazing out at the city skyline, memories of my childhood seeped into my thoughts. My parents were never happily married. The amount of affairs both of them engaged in through the years were countless at this point. Looking back on their relationship with my adult eyes, I accepted that they were toxic for one another.

It was really sad—sad that they had stayed together despite their hatred for one another.

But the one thing that stood out now was how they had both managed to keep me happy and secure. Most of that was accomplished because they gave into my every whim and spoiled me beyond belief.

They didn’t do me any favors.

They created the woman I was today.

I never thought there was anything wrong with me until I met Marchello. I wasn’t in denial that I was a spoiled brat, but no one had ever challenged me. No one other than my parents had ever paid much attention to me.

Marchello wasn’t afraid to put me in my place. That was why I acted out with him. I craved his attention. I wanted him to notice me. But now that he had, I put myself in the middle of a senseless battle. One that I was determined to get out of.

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