Page 128 of Dangerous Intent

“Marchello.” Lorenzo stood in the hallway. “We just got here. I don’t have the details yet, but Collins is dead, and I’ve taken the guards that didn’t belong into my custody. We will question them and figure out how they ended up here.”

“Who took Collins out?” Milo stood at my side. “I need all the details.”

“Where is Lissia?” I pushed past Lorenzo to get a clear shot of the scene. She was huddled in the corner on the floor.

The frigid room reeked of death, and the bright coastal colors, immaculate counters, and floor were splattered with red streaks.

When I made eye contact with Lissia’s tortured gaze, the massacre in front of me didn’t seem to matter. I didn’t care about protocol or contamination of the area. The police would never see it anyway.

I plodded through the blood and stepped over Collins as I made my way to her. I had more questions than answers, but she was breathing, and that was all I occupied myself with.

“Chello.” She reached out her quivering, bloody hand for me. “You’re okay.”

“Don’t worry about me.” I joined her on the floor, pulling her into my chest, trying to stop her from shaking. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

I yanked my jacket off and covered her with it.

“Marchello,” Lorenzo said. “We have to get this situation under control. The quicker, the better.”

“Not now,” I snapped. “Clear this room.”

“You heard my brother,” Milo said, his voice raised. “Everyone outside.”

Milo ushered everyone out of the villa as I tried to piece together what had occurred.

“Danny is…was…” She inhaled slowly. “Working with Diego.”

“He told you that?”

“He had a keycard. He let himself in and told me he would kill Dom if I tried to run.” She looked around the room. “Dom was here. He’s okay.”

“I saw him.”

“This wasn’t his fault.” She held onto me. “Don’t take this out on him. I didn’t manipulate him or try to leave. I did what you said and stayed put.”

I kissed the top of her head, thanking God that Collins didn’t hurt her.

“Diego was able to get to Lorenzo’s people.” She stared up at me. “The security, getting into the villa. He’s more dangerous than we thought.”

“It’s okay.” I stroked her hair, cursing myself for underestimating Diego. I looked her over, tracing my finger over the welt on her cheek. “You need ice.”

“No.” She gripped the collar of my shirt. “Don’t leave me.”

“Never.”

“I thought…” She sucked in a breath. “He was going to…you know?”

“Did he?” My chest constricted as I shoved back the rage threatening to break free.

“He got pretty close.” Tears flowed down her cheeks. “He said he wanted to hurt me and then take pictures so you could see.”

“I should have killed him that night in the club.” I wiped her face. “I left you vulnerable. Unprotected.”

My worst fucking fear. All my posturing over keeping her safe, and I let the biggest enemy we had walk right in and harm her.

“It’s not your fault,” she said. “This is on my father for bringing Danny, and now Diego, into our lives. What are we going to do about Diego?”