Page 18 of Dangerous Intent

“Do you need anything else?” He pulled on a pair of black sweatpants.

“Can you hand me my bag?” I nodded toward the sitting room. “I want to check on my mom.”

We had left so abruptly from the luncheon, she probably wondered what happened to me.

Marchello brought me my bag, and then gently took my chin between his fingers. “I’ll be back soon. Do you think you can stay out of trouble?”

“I won’t move from this bed.”

“That’s my girl.” He winked at me, and a sense of normalcy flowed through me for the first time in days.

I dug in my bag for my phone and then settled into the pillows as he left the room. Maybe things would be okay. We could do this.

My phone rang with an unknown call. I wasn’t in the mood for a telemarketer.

“Hello,” I answered. “Whatever you’re trying to sell me, I don’t want it. Go scam someone else.”

“Are you sure about that?” a hauntingly familiar voice responded.

“Danny.” The few seconds of solace drained from my body. How could it ever be okay with Danny Collins still walking this earth?

“She got it on the first try.” He laughed. “You deserve a prize.”

“What do you want?”

“I want a lot of things, but we’ll start with what you owe me.”

“I don’t owe you shit.” I pushed myself into a seated position. “You shot at me.”

“I wasn’t shooting at you. But hitting you was a bonus.”

“Why are you calling me?” I asked. His rough voice irritated me.

“Well, it certainly isn’t to offer my condolences for that scum father of yours.”

“Screw you!” Adrenaline raced through my system. I should hang up, but the fire inside me wouldn’t allow it.

“Oh come on. You know he was a dirtbag, but we don’t need to discuss that now.”

“Marchello is going to kill you,” I said.

“He has to find me first.” His laugh was menacing. “And getting to him is a lot easier for me now that I know he’s moved you into the main house.”

My stomach churned. “You’re not getting anywhere near us.”

“The Accettis can’t protect you. They’re in the business of killing, and your father knew that better than anyone. That’s why you put him in the ground today.”

“Shut up.”

“You chose the wrong side, and you’re going to regret that.” He blew into the phone, probably exhaling the smoke from his filthy cigarette. “The one good thing your father did was not disinheriting you before he died. I know what you’re worth, and I intend to collect.”

“You’ll get nothing from me.” My steady voice surprised me.

“You’re wrong. I’m going to get everything, but first, I’ll be the one killing Marchello, and you’re going to watch me do it.”

“You stay away from him! I’ll kill you myself if you try to hurt him.”

“I look forward to the fight, baby girl. I’ll be in touch.”