Page 67 of Vicious Vows

“Your father came after me and my brother. You got hit in the process. It’s my job to keep you safe. I didn’t tell you because I’m protecting you.”

“From my father?”

“He’s the immediate threat right now. I couldn’t have you running to him to try and make this right.”

“He didn’t mean to shoot me,” she said.

“What?” When I stepped forward, she stepped back. “He did mean to shoot my brother and me. He doesn’t get a pass because he missed.”

“I know.” She held up her hand. “Do you think I’m okay with any of this? This is a lot to process.”

“Then process it, but do not defend him.” I paced in front of the desk. “I could have lost you or Milo in Miami.” The rage twisted in my chest, sucking the breath from my lungs. “Your father has lost his mind. Taking me out is one thing, but doing it with you practically in my arms? Do you know how careless that is?”

“He didn’t pull the trigger.”

“You’re defending him again!” I punched the wall, flattening my hand against it. “What is wrong with you? He sent the people who did.”

“I’m not defending him.”

I didn’t turn around because I couldn’t stare into her eyes now. Not if she was going to choose Gian over me.

“Then explain what it is you are doing, because I’m having a difficult time seeing where you are coming from.”

“I’m saying I wasn’t the intended target, but does that really matter? Should he be trying to kill you in the first place? Don’t I matter in any of this?”

“Not to him,” I said.

“That can’t be true.”

When was she going to see that her father would put his organization before her? Why didn’t she get that by staying with me, she was a traitor in his eyes. She made her choice. She couldn’t regret it now.

“That’s the nature of this business,” I said. “It’s harsh and ugly, but it is what it is. Can you accept that?”

She stood behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and allowed her touch to radiate through me. My tight muscles retreated as I tried to calm down.

“We can’t live like this,” she whispered. “I don’t want to live like this.”

“It’s a little late in the game for you to decide that.” I turned to face her, my agitation getting the better of me. Her lack of comprehension when it came to her father only made me more furious. “Isn’t it?”

“Marchello, you lied to me.”

“Like you don’t lie to me every time you plot behind my back?”

“That’s different.”

“No!” I wrapped my arm around her waist and slammed her into my chest. “I made a decision not to tell you who your father really is. I shouldn’t have done that, because you deserve to know what kind of person he is.”

I held her small frame against mine. I should protect her from the truth, but where had that gotten me?

“If he had succeeded, my father would have lost two more children in addition to the wife and child he already lost. And you could have suffered far more than a graze to the hip. Why can’t you see who he is?”

She looked down, shaking her head, but I tilted her chin and gazed into her tear-filled eyes.

“I’m not going to let your tears stop me from telling you the truth.” I wiped her cheek with the back of my hand. “You can’t stop this war. It’s too late.”

“That can’t be true.”

“Your father is dishonorable. He won’t listen to your pleas, so don’t beg on my behalf. I don’t know how many more times I can say I don’t want your fucking help.” I held her tighter. “I don’t need it.”

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