Page 5 of Dangerous Intent

“Dad.” I stepped forward and accepted the hug and hard pat on my back.

“Marchello.” He held me for a few seconds before releasing me and doing the same to Milo. “I’ve missed you both so much.”

“Not as much as we’ve missed you.” Milo let go of him. “It’s good to have you back.”

“I wish it were under better circumstances.” He pressed his lips together as most of the guests filed down the hall to the dining room. “But Gian had to be stopped.”

“I didn’t expect you to come here today,” I said. “I should have though. You’re an Accetti.”

“Where else would I be?” He gazed down the hall. “You didn’t think I would take such drastic measures to regain control of our organization and then go back into hiding, did you? It was time for me to show my face. I’ve been away too long.”

“Milo and I got your silent message.”

We’d known immediately that the hit on Gian had been carried out by our father. He got his start as an enforcer and an assassin, and he always let the intended target see him coming. That was his signature.

“I knew you would.” He gripped my shoulder. “I’m impressed with how you’ve handled business the past few days. You didn’t hesitate in letting all the other families know we don’t tolerate infiltrators and hostile takeovers.”

“It isn’t that I’m not thrilled to see you, but given the circumstances, why are you here?” I nodded to the two men who walked past us. “If the other families know we’re back in control and this war between us and the Gallanti family is over, was it necessary for you to be here?”

“Chello?” Milo nudged me. “It’s a show of strength. A bold move.”

“Your brother knows that, Milo.” My father shot me a hard stare. “I think what he means is, given the delicate situation of his relationship with Gian’s daughter, is it really wise for me to be here?”

“I meant no disrespect, Dad,” I said, feeling incompetent. “It’s just that now might not be the best time.”

“It’s the perfect time.” My father looked over my shoulder. “I’m here to offer my condolences to your future bride.”

“Marchello.” Lissia joined us in the foyer, locking her gaze with my father’s. “Nico, you’re here.”

My pulse increased because this was not how I envisioned their initial meeting. The brutal assassin who took back control of his empire and the heartbroken, impulsive mafia princess who just buried her father.

What could possibly go wrong?

TWO

Lissia

With wobbly legsand an accelerated heart rate, I willed my feet to take me in the direction of mafia royalty, acutely aware that Nico Accetti had spotted me as he spoke to Marchello.

If Nico was in the foyer on the day of my father’s funeral, there had to be a damn good reason.

I took my time, making the trek down the long hallway as Nico continued to stare at me with his dark brown eyes set deep into his handsomely rugged face. Marchello had inherited his father’s solid jawline and imposing height. But the one feature that stood out the most to me was his meticulous, thick silver hair and matching manicured beard.

“Marchello.” I stopped next to him, putting me face-to-face with the man I had heard so much about. The man who had made Marchello who he was today. “Nico, you’re here.”

I hadn’t expected Nico to invade my space and tug me into a strong hug, but when he did, my body relaxed. Marchello’s father was home, and for the first time in months, it seemed as if everything was going to be okay.

Then why did my reaction to Nico make me feel like I was betraying my own father?

When Nico released me, Marchello put his arm around my waist.

“Lissia,” Nico said, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” I looked into Nico’s eyes, finding a fatherly comfort in them. “Your sons have missed you.”

“And I have missed them.” Nico’s smile softened his tough features. “I’m sorry we couldn’t meet under better circumstances.”

Marchello tensed against me. He had been so worried about me these past few days, but after today, I hoped we could get back to normal. Whatever that meant.