Page 1 of Dangerous Intent

ONE

Marchello

Broken,shattered, and traumatized. I couldn’t stand seeing Lissia this way.

But even worse than experiencing her pain, I had to live with the knowledge that my family was the reason she buried her father today.

Business associates gathered at Gian’s estate to show their respect. Lissia didn’t know most of them, but I recognized the important players.

My presence was a stark reminder to all of them that the Accetti family was in control. Their glances displayed terror mixed with admiration that Milo and I had the balls to show up after what had happened to Gian.

The only one who seemed to be in the dark was Lissia.

She greeted and thanked each person who offered comforting words with grace and strength. Dressed in her expensive and elegant black dress, she held her head high and accepted each person with a subtle smile and a kind response. Her actions were a mask that I saw through.

The funeral preparations had not been easy for her. I’d offered to have someone plan and execute this day, but she’d insisted she had to be the one to do it. Gian had put her through too much pain, but she chose to make sure he had a proper burial and a dignified send-off.

I would have thrown him in a ditch and called it a day if he had done to me what he had done to her, but she had a bigger heart than I did.

“Are you okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine.”

“You haven’t had anything to eat all day.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“How about a glass of water? You’re probably thirsty, and those shoes have to be killing your feet.”

“I said I’m fine.” She waved to someone across the room. “You don’t have to hover.”

“I’m not hovering.”

“Yes, you are. You’re almost as bad as Ricardo.” She glanced down the hall toward the kitchen. “I should go check on the caterers and make sure lunch is ready.”

“Your mother is handling that.” I gazed around the family room as more people entered the house. “Ricardo is helping her.”

“I can help her too.”

“Stop it!” I snapped. “You’re not fine. Don’t pretend with me.”

Watching her grieve put me on edge. Knowing there wasn’t anything I could do about her pain tore me up inside, but I shouldn’t have been taking out my frustration on her. None of this was her fault.

“I’m sorry,” I said, lowering my voice. “I’m worried about you.”

Placing my hand on the small of her back, I led her into her father’s study, away from the crowd.

“Why are we in here?” She slipped off her black stilettos and rubbed her heel. “We should be out there greeting our guests.”

“You could use a break.” I placed my arms around her waist. “It’s been a long few days. You can take a few minutes for yourself.”

“After today, we can put all of this behind us.” She rested her palm on my cheek. “You can get back to running your business.”

“My business isn’t important now.” That wasn’t true, but even if it was business as usual, my main focus was her.

“Why not? This war is over. You can concentrate on what needs to be done without my father’s interference.” She gently kissed my lips. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Not at the expense of your pain.”