Page 117 of Dangerous Intent

“Help?” he asked. “Listen to me, and I really need you to hear this. I am not my brother.”

“I know that.”

“You’re not listening.” He sighed. “You love him with everything you have, and he feels the same way, which is why he doesn’t always use his best judgment when it comes to you. I’ve come to love you like a sister.”

“You have?” I whispered.

“I can protect you in ways my brother can’t because I’m not sleeping next to you every night. Chello told you that you’re on a need-to-know basis. That’s for good reason.”

“So I don’t act on impulse and open my mouth when I shouldn’t.”

“Exactly.” He paused for a moment. “I have a feeling you didn’t keep quiet when he got arrested.”

“I thought if I told the police that the altercation happened because of me, they would let him go.”

“How did that work out for you?” he asked.

“I get why I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Then you also get why you’re on a need-to-know basis.” The slam of a car door sounded in the distance. “I have to go. I’ll see you soon. Stay out of trouble.”

“Bye,” I said into the dead line. “Trouble keeps finding me.”

I dropped my phone on the coffee table, swiped my shoes off the floor, and headed to the bedroom. While I changed into my pajamas and took off my makeup, I tried not to think about what Marchello was doing. I wasn’t successful.

Did they fingerprint him? Were they interrogating him? Did he get a mugshot taken?

This situation was my father’s fault. If he hadn’t sold me to Diego, none of this would be happening. Marchello and I would be in bed, waiting for room service and watching a movie like a normal married couple.

Except we weren’t a normal married couple. Marchello was running an illegal business and dealing with dangerous cartels and enemies in his own territory. He constantly worried about his father and the future of their empire. Then he had to keep me safe and out of the hands of men like Danny and Diego.

I had given him nothing but stress since the day he took me hostage.

He could have let me go long ago, but he didn’t. Instead, he gave me his last name and loved me more than anyone ever had. The trust he placed in me knew no bounds.

It was time for me to step up and do my part. I had to stop creating havoc for him. He needed me to be stable and in control. I had to prove I was worthy of being an Accetti.

After I tossed my hair in a messy bun and brushed my teeth, I stared at the bed.

No way.

I wasn’t getting between the sheets until Marchello was back.

Calling Ricardo would be my best bet. He would talk me off the ledge and keep me from acting on impulse.

I hurried out of the bedroom to get my phone, but as I hustled down the short, dimly lit hallway, a rustling outside caught my attention. The only way anyone could have access to the villa was with a keycard.

Dom and Marchello were the only two who had one. I didn’t have my own because I was always with one of them.

I leaned against the wall as my heart pounded against my chest. Much like the other night when I gazed out into the darkness of the beach, an odd sensation, almost like a premonition that something was coming for me, took over.

Dom was outside the back of the villa, but he could have come around. It was probably him.

But what if it wasn’t? Marchello couldn’t be back from the station already. Could he?

I grabbed the vase off the table by the door, being careful not to get too close to the windows in case I didn’t know the person on the porch.

The clicking of the automatic lock pushed the fear from my stomach to my throat.