Page 40 of Ruthless Oath

“Your brother is here?”

“Yes.” Milo came into the room. “And I’m wondering what the fuck you’re doing here.”

“Marchello kidnapped me.” Lissia kissed Milo’s cheek as if it was the most natural act for her. “He’s a caveman.”

I glared at her for kissing Milo. Didn’t I tell her not to act up?

“What brings you here, Milo?” I pointed at Lissia and then to the chair across from the desk. “Sit.”

“I’m not a dog.” She gritted her teeth. “I won’t be spoken to that way.”

“Then I won’t speak to you.” I gripped her shoulder and shoved her into the chair. “Don’t open your mouth again.”

“What were you thinking?” Milo asked me. “Were you thinking at all?”

“Not really.” I hated to admit that, but Lissia clouded my judgment. “It all happened so fast, and I just reacted. The next thing I knew, I had a hostage and we were on our way here.”

“Did you know that your hostage was promised to Danny Collins in an arranged marriage deal?” Milo banged his hand against the wall. “Do you know you fucking set off a mob war last night?”

“What?” I shouted at Lissia. “Why didn’t you tell me about the arrangement between your father and Collins?”

She stared at me but didn’t say anything.

“Answer me!”

She pressed her lips together and continued to study me.

“What are you doing?” I yelled.

“You told her to keep her mouth shut, remember?” Milo looked as if he might punch me. “This is ridiculous.”

“You pick now to fucking listen?” I lunged in her direction, swiftly taking her throat in my hand. “This is not a game. This is my family, my territory, my life.”

“I tried to tell you.” She tugged at my wrist. “You didn’t want to hear me. I came to you to help me get out of the arrangement, but you said I didn’t have anything to say that you wanted to hear.”

“Marchello,” Milo said. “You need to focus.”

“This is your fault.” I released her neck. “If you would have stayed away like I told you to, none of this would be happening. You provoked me, and now look at what you’ve made me do.”

“No one makes you do anything.” She stood. “Least of all me. You came after me last night because you wanted to. You took me hostage because it benefitted you.”

“I was protecting you, but if I had known about the arrangement, I would never have gone after you. I would have let Danny handle you.”

How could I have been so careless? How did I allow myself to get caught up in her drama?

“I told you to drop me off somewhere, but you wouldn’t let me go.” She pushed at my shoulder. “You made me your problem when you drove me here.”

“You’re going to wish you were someone else’s problem.” I advanced on her, but she backed away and ran toward Milo.

The rage unleashed within me when she sought out Milo’s protection. I knocked over the floor lamp, sending it smashing against the floor.

“That’s enough.” Milo stood in front of her. “We have bigger problems to deal with now.”

I couldn’t take my eyes away from Lissia. After I protected her from the arms dealer, she had the audacity to use my brother as her shield. From me?

“Ricardo,” Milo called into the hallway.

“You brought Ricardo?” I asked.

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