Page 48 of Dangerous Intent

“You don’t think I’ve tried fucking some sense into her?”

“Try harder.” He laughed. “I know you can do it.”

“And I know you can handle the Collins problem, but I don’t want you to have to do it alone.”

“Let’s sleep on it, and we’ll reevaluate in the morning.”

We had to eliminate Collins. If I could do it tonight, I would, but after the public altercation, I had to be patient. I couldn’t afford to act irrationally and make a mistake. Ridding my family of Collins was too important.

“I’ll touch base later,” I said as I went to find my wife.

As I reached the bar, Lissia turned her back to me and continued her conversation with Ricardo. That brat knew I was behind her, but she chose to instigate a fight.

“I’m going to see if Milo needs me for anything.” Ricardo kissed Lissia’s cheek and quickly whispered into her ear.

Lissia reached for his hand. “You don’t have to leave. Don’t let Marchello scare you away.”

Their friendship irritated me, but I also admired it. She needed him, and he was loyal to her. Despite the fuck up at the safe house, I believed he would take a bullet for her. I hoped it didn’t come to that.

I made eye contact with Ricardo, suppressing the urge to be rude. That was a surprise.

“You need your husband right now.” Ricardo smiled at me. “Be gentle with her.”

I didn’t acknowledge his request as he scurried away to find Milo.

“He’s still terrified of you,” she said. “Only you can fix that.”

“He should be afraid of me.” I gripped her stool and spun her to face me. “I won’t hold a conversation with you while you have your back to me.”

“Is that disrespectful?”

“Lissia.” I let out a frustrated breath. “It’s been a long night.”

“This place has so much bad energy.” She waved her hand around. “I’ve been off since we walked through the door. Maybe it’s haunted.”

“It’s not this club that has you off.” I caressed her cheek with the side of my hand. “I could think of several other circumstances that have led to your current state of mind.”

She bit the corner of her lip. “Like you going to Miami?”

“Among other things.”

“I really meant it when I said I was sorry for provoking you.”

“I believe you think you meant it.” I tilted her chin up and kissed her, letting my fury go. “I’m sorry I got so angry.”

“I tend to find all your rage, don’t I?”

“You just know how to trigger me. Your timing isn’t always the best.” I shrugged. “You push buttons when I’m already so close to blowing up.”

“I want to say I’m going to work on it, but…”

“We both know that isn’t true.” I traced a path along her wrist and to her palm, drawing small circles on her hand. “We need to get to a place where I’m not furious all the time.”

“You have so much to deal with, and I… Well, I don’t want to add to that stress.”

Too late.

“I’m trying to do better, but it just feels like it’s always one thing after the other.” Her lips trembled, but she held it together.