Page 12 of Ruthless Oath

“Everything.” I leaned back in my father’s chair. “I have a lot on my mind, if you haven’t noticed.”

“I’m right there with you.” He ran his hand through his hair. “If you haven’t noticed.”

“I’m sorry.” The pressure of our father being away took a toll on both of us. “I was thinking about last night. What did you want to tell me?”

“The incident was between two insignificant players. They had been fighting over a woman for weeks.”

That’s why you don’t get distracted. I ran a hand over my jaw. “It had nothing to do with Dad and what he’s trying to accomplish or the turf war?”

“No, the guy you took out instigated the confrontation because the other guy brought the girl with him. They were both employees of Bobby Ciacci. He sends his apologies, and he will handle the employee that’s still breathing.”

“He should send the charity a huge check to make up for what we lost last night.” I clenched my fist. “I knew we should have postponed.”

“We’ll hold a bigger and better event in a few months. Dad will be home then. You’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am.” Milo held out his hand. “I’ll file the insurance claims.”

“Thank you.” I gave him the paperwork, grateful he would take care of it. I had enough to deal with. “I have to take a meeting with some investors this afternoon. Do you want to sit in?”

“Sure.” He glanced at his phone. “It looks like you have a visitor on her way up.”

“What?”

“See for yourself.” He turned his phone so I could see the security footage of the dealership.

I studied the live stream. “Are you fucking kidding me? Didn’t her father tell her to stay away from me?”

“She looks pretty hot.” He continued to ogle the screen. “She’s heading right for you.”

“I don’t need this.” I stood and buttoned my suit jacket.

“Do you want me to intercept her?” Milo taunted me like only he could. “No one told her to stay away from me.”

“I’m telling you to stay away from her.” I joined him on the other side of the desk. “She’s the daughter of a major player—one who doesn’t have the best history with the old man. Neither of us needs the aggravation.”

Angela, my assistant, approached the doorway. “Marchello, Ms. Gallanti is here to see you.”

“Send her in,” Milo answered for me.

“Didn’t you hear anything I said?” I asked my brother as Angela went to retrieve Lissia. “We can’t trust this family.”

“You don’t have to trust her to fuck her. Since she’s here, use the ten-minute distraction.” He shrugged. “It shouldn’t take you longer than that.”

“Funny.” I shoved him. “Maybe that’s your normal, but I can last a lot longer than ten minutes.”

Lissia appeared in the doorway. “What takes you longer than ten minutes? Maybe I can help.”

Milo held back a smile. “I’m sure you could.”

She had pulled her black hair into a high, sleek ponytail, accentuating her perfectly sculpted cheekbones and plump lips. She looked stunning last night, but today, her flawless face didn’t have as much makeup on. Her olive complexion looked more natural. Maybe it was the light of the day filtering in through the windows, but I preferred her this way.

“Lissia.” I leaned against my desk. “What brings you here today?”

“I brought you cookies. I wanted to thank you again for last night.” She raised the pink box she held, but her tight brown dress and thigh-high leather boots drew me in more.

“That’s not necessary.” Didn’t I already say that last night? “You shouldn’t be here.”

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