Page 79 of Dangerous Intent

“You put a lot of thought into this.”

“This is standard, princess.” His chiseled face looked as if it might crack from the tension in it. “Having you here isn’t.”

“I won’t distract you.”

“You already have.” He took my ice-cold hand in his, warming my flesh. “But I’m used to it.”

“Do you think you’ll have to…” I nodded toward the gun. “Use that?”

“Don’t think about that.” He placed his palm on my face. “Know that whatever I have to do is all on me.”

He lowered his lips to mine and possessively claimed my mouth, kissing me until the knot in my stomach dissipated. Whatever happened in this room wasn’t going to define us. It was going to strengthen us.

“Get your fucking hands off me.” Angelo’s gruff voice brought me back to reality.

“Here we go,” Marchello said as he placed the gun in his inside jacket pocket.

I quickly moved out of Milo’s way as he pushed Angelo into the room.

“Angelo.” Marchello’s low voice carried a menacing tone. “Thank you for meeting with me.”

“Did I have a choice?” Angelo glared at me, then back to Marchello.

“I’d say you had plenty of choices.” Marchello took his time crossing the room as Milo stood in front of the exit. “Starting with the one where you decided to work with Gian.”

“You’re digging deep,” Angelo said. “Ancient history. Just ask your father.”

It struck me as off that Angelo would remain so calm, knowing there was a very good chance he would be leaving wrapped in the plastic beneath his feet.

“Then let’s fast-forward.” Marchello closed the space between the two of them. “When Gian was eliminated?—”

“By your father.” Angelo glanced in my direction. “You’re sleeping in a house owned by the man who destroyed your family.”

“Don’t talk to her.” Marchello shifted his stance, blocking me from Angelo’s sight. “When Gian was killed, you could have walked away. His business is useless for you now that Milo and I have taken control.”

“You stole it!” Angelo gritted his teeth.

“It was ours to take,” Milo said as he stood behind Angelo. “We control the territory.”

“Because your father is too busy with other ventures.” Angelo laughed. “He doesn’t care about this territory. If he did, he wouldn’t leave it to a son who would choose pussy over power.”

Marchello hauled his hand back and punched Angelo so hard he stumbled, but Milo kept him standing.

“That’s the last time you’re going to disrespect my wife.” Marchello leaned into Angelo. “You should have walked away when Gian was taken out.”

“I don’t have time for this show,” Angelo said. “We all know that you don’t have the authority to take me out. So, whatever it is you dragged me down her for, spit it out. I have things to do.”

“I admire your show of strength, I really do.” Marchello stepped back, creating some distance between him and Angelo. “You have one shot to get out of this alive. If you fuck it up, that’s on you.”

My heart pounded faster than I would have liked, and I clasped my hands together to try to get them to stop shaking. That didn’t work. I wanted to scream for Marchello just to let Angelo go. I had known Angelo my whole life. We spent holidays and vacations with his family.

Why couldn’t he have left Marchello alone?

Because he was loyal to my father. He would show that honor until his death. Marchello would have probably forgiven him anything, but if Angelo came for me, all bets were off.

“There was an explosion in the driveway today,” Marchello said. “The car that transports my wife.”

“How tragic.” Angelo pressed his hand to where Marchello had punched him. “I bet that hit a little too close to home.”