Page 98 of Dangerous Intent

“Nico would be proud.”

“How are you coping after the explosion?”

“I wish it didn’t happen, but I’m glad nothing happened to either of us.” I crossed my legs. “Thanks for taking such good care of me. I know it’s your job, but I still appreciate it.”

“It’s become more than a job.” He smiled. “When I was assigned to you, I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but now I know it was meant to be.”

“Dom!” I grinned. “You like me.”

“Very much.”

“I like you too.” I set my phone in my lap. “I’ve had several guards over the years, but not many of them liked me. My last guard at my father’s house, Michael, tolerated me and did what I said, but most of them ignored me.”

“I have a feeling you’ve matured these last few months.”

“I’m trying.”

Being with Marchello gave me a sense of purpose. He indulged in my spoiled behavior, but he also grounded me and helped me understand what it meant to be in a mafia family. Knowing he would never hurt me or sell me off the way my father had made it easy to trust him.

He could be possessive and impossible sometimes—well, most of the time—but we belonged to one another. There wasn’t anything we couldn’t accomplish when we were together. Our bond grew stronger as each day passed.

He was learning to lean on me as much as I depended on him. When we said our vows, we entered into a partnership that could never be broken.

While I loved the bustling frenzy of New York City, there was something to be said for the calmness of Lorenzo’s hotel. Miami was a wild city with the clubs and the music, but Lorenzo managed to create serenity in a secluded territory that removed his guests from the outside world.

Dom gazed outside, checking the perimeter, and occasionally communicated with the other guards in his earpiece as I scrolled on my phone. The rhythmic rush of the water spilling into the fountain settled into the background, along with the soft conversations of the hotel guests who had taken various seats around the tree.

“I’m going to circle the lobby,” Dom said.

“I’ll stay here.” I rested my head against the soft leather of the loveseat, breathing in the earthy, rich aroma. The scent reminded me of Nico’s study—the very room where I became an Accetti.

“I’ll be able to see you.”

“I don’t doubt it.” I laughed. “Aren’t all the dangerous men in that room with my husband?”

“You can’t be too careful.”

“I guess not.” I scrolled on my phone, checking out the holiday-themed pages with all the gorgeous trees and decorations.

A few minutes later, I glanced up as Dom blocked a man from my path. I had seen the attractive guy with the olive-colored skin and tattoos on his hand staring at me earlier in the evening. He had been sitting with the group that Marchello was meeting with.

I didn’t think much of it then and didn’t mention it to Marchello because he was already so keyed up over his meeting.

Maybe he was part of their security team.

When Dom took a more protective stance, I became intrigued. The man motioned toward me and raised his voice so I could hear him.

“I just want to introduce myself to Mrs. Accetti,” he said. “I won’t take up too much of her time.”

“It’s okay, Dom.” I joined my guard and the stranger who knew my name. “You’re here with the men my husband is meeting with.”

“I am.”

“And you are?” I asked.

“Diego Medina.” He extended his hand. “You’re Lissia Accetti.”

“You say that like I’m some sort of celebrity.”