Page 6 of Vicious Vows

“Because I said so.” He put his phone in his pocket. “I have to go.”

“Wait.” I got up and moved closer to where he stood. “Tell me Ricardo is safe.”

“Do you think your father would have spared Ricardo’s life if he worked for him?”

“You’re not my father, and Ricardo didn’t work for him.” A knot of dread settled in my stomach. “Just tell me where he is.”

“Where was all this concern for your friend when you were manipulating him into letting you use his phone?”

I looked away.

“That’s right, brat.” He swiped a strand of hair from my face. “I know what you did, and you should be embarrassed.”

“I didn’t want you to hurt him.”

“Is that why you told him to lie to me?”

“He told you that?”

“He tried to take the blame.” Marchello laughed. “As if I didn’t know you were the mastermind behind your absurd plan to get your father to come for you so you could negotiate a truce.”

“I thought I could do it.”

“You were wrong.” He stroked my cheek, but his touch offered no comfort. Maybe it was the vacant gaze in his eyes. “If negotiating a truce was that easy, do you think I would be in this fucking mess?”

How did we end up arguing?

“I used Ricardo, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about him. I told him the truth—I wanted to help you. He wanted that too.” I reached for Marchello’s hand. “He cares about you and your family.”

He glanced down at our joined hands and his scowl softened.

“He told me about what happened,” I said.

“What did he tell you?”

“About your mother.” I swallowed hard and prepared myself for the anger that was coming my way. “He’s grieving too, and being close to your family helps.”

“He had no right to discuss any of that with you.” He let go of me.

“You’re right.” I placed my hand on his bicep. “You should have told me.”

“I should have told you what?”

“That you watched as your mother was murdered.” A hint of doubt invaded my overly daring inquiry. I’d taken this too far, but if he opened up to me, maybe we could work from there.

“I didn’t have to tell you anything, and Ricardo shouldn’t have either. As if I wasn’t already furious enough at him.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” I said. “I asked, and he opened up because he’s hurting too. If I had a phone, I would have looked it up myself, or if I wasn’t your hostage, I could have asked my mother and she would have told me what happened.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m glad I found out from Ricardo. It’s his story to tell too.”

“Why? Because his father didn’t have control of the person he was guarding either? If he hadn’t let my mother manipulate him the way you influence everyone around you, maybe she would still be alive today.” Marchello clenched his fists. “Control your impulses and maybe I can keep you alive.”

“Oh,” I whispered as I realized what this was really about. “Do you blame yourself for your mother’s death?”

“What? No.” He stepped away from me. “We’re not talking about this. Ricardo is an idiot. The only reason he’s on the payroll is because my father felt sorry for his mother and her kids. He vowed to take care of them, and now Ricardo is my problem.”

---