Page 4 of Crimson Vows

“Nice?” Marco’s gaze narrows. “You know the protocols we are under right now. No one comes up without clearance. You don’t take orders from her.” He jerks his chin in my direction, his authority unquestionable.

“Marco, stop!” My protest slices through the tension. “Don’t yell at him. It wasn’t his fault. I asked him to help me, and he did—out of kindness.”

“Kindness? We don’t have room for kindness right now, and he knows that.” Marco’s lips twist into a cold semblance of a smile. “Back to your post.”

Nico hesitates, glances at me, then nods once—a soldier following orders. His retreat is silent.

The doors slide shut behind Nico, leaving me alone with Marco’s piercing stare.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t ask him to do things like that. He is taking over my old job as head of security, and there is no room for mistakes,” Marco explains, his tone softer now.

Marco turns without another word and heads toward the living room. “Excuse me, I was talking to you,” I snap, racing after him.

He slows, allowing me to catch up and walk beside him as we enter the living room and sit on the sofa. Papers and books are strewn about the coffee table in front of it.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little distracted right now. Had I known you were coming, I could have maybe made some time.”

“Well, I came so we could finish the conversation we started over text. I thought it was better to have it in person.”

“Is that right?” he asks, looking me up and down. “And what conversation is that?”

“You know, the one where we talk about you being a liar,” I say, my voice steady despite the tremor of anger beneath it.

Marco’s eyebrows rise, his curiosity piqued. “A liar?”

“I stopped by the auto-body shop,” I press on, crossing my arms to match his closed-off stance. “This isn’t what you promised me.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“You said I would be able to run things, and Patrick made it quite clear that isn’t the case.”

“Gia, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t spoken to Patrick since your father’s... well, you know,” he states, unable to maintain eye contact with me.

“Well, someone sure as hell talked to him because he told me when it comes to any off-the-books activities, he has been told it all goes through you.”

Marco sighs. “We talked about this.”

I close the gap between us, my resolve hardening like ice. “We never talked about any such fucking thing! You told me if I agreed to entertain the idea of a possible relationship with you, I would get all of my father’s enterprises.”

“And you will . . . in time.”

“This is such bullshit!” I exclaim. “I saved your life, remember? I deserve to be treated better than this.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Well, make it simple, then,” I challenge. “Tell me the truth, Marco. No more lying.”

He sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair. The vulnerability that flickers across his face takes me by surprise.

“I have never fucking lied to you, and I never will.” His tone is sharp. “The truth is, there is no way the capos will let Vincent hand over all of Anthony’s more lucrative operations to a woman, even though you are his daughter. If you are going to step into the role we discussed, it will take time, and that’s all there is to it.”

Marco’s words are like a punch to my gut, stealing the breath from my lungs.

“So what? You think I’m supposed to simply accept that?” I ask, my voice strained with anger and hurt.

“It doesn’t matter if you want to accept it or not,” Marco replies quietly. “It’s the reality of the situation.”

I scoff bitterly, feeling the sting of betrayal claw at my heart. “If you never intended to hand my father’s businesses over to me, why bother pretending you want a relationship with me?”

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