Page 22 of Dangerous Intent

“Your father already took care of that when he… My father is no longer a threat.”

“Your father wasn’t the only threat,” I said. “Collins practically offered a bounty for you. And there are a few stupid people who might ignore who I am and what I could do to them if they try to come for you. If you’re my wife, that ups the consequences. If anyone comes for an Accetti, they know what will happen.”

“Marchello, there is too much to consider. We buried my father only yesterday.” She shook her head. “Your dad is leaving again, and you have to focus on your business. Now is not the time to be making rash decisions.”

“I can’t focus if I don’t know you’re safe.” I ran my hand along my jaw. “I can’t have the distractions I had last time. A new enemy could emerge at any time, so I need you with me on this. You’ve already accepted my proposal. I don’t see what the problem is.”

She turned away from me and gazed out the window. I knew this would be a hard sell, but Iwouldmake her my wife today. She needed to understand. I had given in to her impulses and excused her behavior too many times. This decision was for her own good.

“I don’t want to force you into this,” I said.

“But you will if you have to.”

Don’t make me force you.

She sucked in a breath. “Don’t you see how wrong this is?”

“I think it’s the mostrightthing I’ve ever done.”

“Because you don’t think you’re ever wrong.” Her voice was low and almost defeated. “It’s always me that screws up.”

I didn’t want this version of her. I wanted her fire and determination, but I also wanted her to pour all of her passion into us. I wanted her to see we were stronger together than we could ever be apart.

“Come and sit with me.” I guided her back to the loveseat and coerced her into my lap.

She plopped down on me but didn’t look at me.

I said, “I’m sorry about everything that has transpired these past few days. The fight with your dad, the way the two of you left things, his death. It’s all taken a toll on you.”

I tensed when I thought about my father pulling the trigger on Thanksgiving. Not because it wasn’t warranted, but because my family would always be a reminder to her that he was murdered.

How could I expect her to be comfortable with taking my last name?

“Since hooking up with me, we’ve had one shitty thing after another happen to us,” I said. “If I could take away your pain, I would.”

“That’s not your responsibility.”

“You’re my responsibility.” I wrapped my arms around her. “Please, don’t fight me on this. I can’t do my job if I don’t do everything in my power to protect you.”

Her silence was more jarring than her sassy mouth. Who would have thought there would ever come a time when I would prefer her argumentative side? I certainly didn’t.

“Sweetheart,” I said. “I know this is not the wedding of your dreams, but I promise you, I’ll give you all of that and more. I’ll take you to Italy and have one of your favorite designers make you the most spectacular and expensive dress.”

I caressed her cheek, but she still didn’t make eye contact with me.

“I love you more than anything else in this world. If I could give you six months to plan a wedding, I would. We both know that’s a luxury we don’t have right now, but it doesn’t mean we won’t.”

“Marchello, you’re not being fair.”

“Will you marry me today?”

She gazed down at her engagement ring and then into my eyes. I silently willed her to give me this one thing, but in true Lissia fashion…

“I don’t want it to be like this,” she said.

SIX

Lissia