Page 59 of Dangerous Intent

FOURTEEN

Lissia

The serenityof my father’s house agitated me. I shouldn’t have felt at peace here, but I had spent my whole life in the comfort of this house.

Sitting behind his desk, looking at all the framed pictures of him and me through various stages of my life, I couldn’t help but mourn.

Contradicting memories haunted this place. The man who taught me to ride a bike and made every Christmas magical was the same man who tried to sell me like property. How could those two versions of him co-exist? And how could I mourn one without hating the other?

He viewed my relationship with Marchello as a betrayal. He never even gave me the chance to explain where I was coming from.

Now he was dead, and I didn’t know how to process that.

“My daughter is expecting me.” My mother’s voice echoed down the long hallway. “I don’t need to be announced.”

“Dom,” I called out. “It’s okay.”

“See, Dom.” My mother had my no-nonsense bodyguard’s arm in hers by the time they reached the study. “It’s all good.”

“Lissia,” Dom said. “I’ll be on the front porch if you need me.”

“Thank you.” I nodded as my mother approached.

“He’s a tough one, but very handsome.” She pushed her leopard-print Versace sunglasses on top of her head.

“He’s getting used to me.”

“Well, look at you.” She motioned in front of the desk. “Taking your father’s place?”

“Hardly.” I didn’t want to be here at all, but being the sole heir of this tainted estate meant there were things I had to take care of.

“What’s with all the extra security?” She tossed her Gucci bag on the desk before sitting on the chair by the window. “The whole perimeter of the property is covered with hunky guards with muscles and tattoos.”

“They’re supposed to be discreet.”

“I’ve been in this life long enough to know what to look for.”

“Danny made an appearance the other night, so Marchello is being extra cautious.” I pushed the papers about bank accounts and properties that were in front of me to the edge of the desk. “Marchello isn’t happy.”

“Is he keeping you safe?” She glanced out the window. “Is one guard on you enough?”

“Dom is more than enough,” I said. “Marchello wouldn’t let me out of his sight if he didn’t think I was protected.”

Actually, it took plenty of convincing for him to let me come to my father’s house. In the end, I promised no stunts and that I would do everything Dom told me to do. Marchello also sent the men for the perimeter.

“What was so important that we had to meet here? I could have come to Nico’s house.”

“Even though Nico, your new obsession, isn’t there?” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m not that infatuated with him, and I’m not looking for an entanglement with another mafia don.” She nodded out the window. “But I could get underneath your bodyguard.”

“Oh God.”

“What? He’s sexy.”

“Leave Dom alone.” I took the envelope from the top drawer. “The reason we’re here is because I want to give something to you. I had Lucas draw up these papers.”

“What are they for?”