Page 23 of Dangerous Intent

Standingat the top of the stairs that led down to the foyer, I gazed at myself in the ornate mirror hanging opposite the steps. Marchello had managed to have the most gorgeous dress delivered to the house within an hour of me reluctantly agreeing to marry him.

The garment was exactly what I would have chosen—imported silk, crystal beads, sexy yet classy.

But while I was dressed in white, there was nothing pure about these nuptials.

“Marchello, you’re not being fair.”

“Will you marry me today?” he asked, so full of hope.

I looked at my engagement ring, remembering the promise I made when I said I would marry him. I wanted to marry him just as much as I had when he asked. But life was different now. I was different.

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

Was I truly ready to belong to the Accetti family so soon after learning the details of my father’s demise?

“Now who isn’t being fair?” He stared into my eyes, and all of the tenderness that had been there a few seconds ago evaporated. “You already said yes. I only want to make it official.”

“I want it to be official too.” I rested my palm on his jaw. “But I want to do it because it’s what we both want. I need it to be right. I don’t want you to do this because you’re fulfilling a duty.”

“I do have a duty.”

I sighed.

“I have a duty to protect you with everything I have. Giving you my last name provides me with a sense of peace. When we first started getting close, I didn’t want a relationship with you because I feared you would suffer the same fate as my mother.”

“I know you won’t let that happen.”

“I was so certain that if I fell in love with you, I would be signing your death certificate, but now I realize that falling in love with you was inevitable. It was the most natural thing that could have happened to me. I can’t breathe without you. I don’t want to.”

“That’s exactly how I feel about you.”

“Making you my wife is what I need to do to keep you safe. Please, give me that security. Let me be your husband. Let’s start our future today.” He took my hand. “I can’t stand another minute of you not having my last name. I want to give you all of me. The good parts, the bad parts, and everything in between. You’re mine, and the world needs to know that.”

“We belong to each other.”

“Ride or die.” He smiled. “Let’s start this ride.”

I nodded as tears trickled down my face.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes.” I brushed my lips along his. “What’s a king without a queen?”

“He’s nothing without you.”

“Lissia.”Ricardo’s loud whisper drew me from my thoughts.

“What?” I turned.

“What are you still doing upstairs?” He stood at the bottom of the steps, dressed in a stylish gray suit and holding a spectacular bouquet of fuchsia roses.

“I needed a minute.” I took my time on the steps, being careful not to take a tumble. The dress wasn’t too long, and my Jimmy Choos were no higher than usual, but today would not be the day to fall.

“Wow!” Ricardo took my hand when I reached the bottom. “You are stunning.”

“Thank you.” I straightened his tie. “You look pretty sexy yourself.”

“Your hair and makeup are flawless.”