Page 109 of Ruthless Oath

I mean, if it had been to Marchello, that would have been a different story. I would have still put up a fight, but mostly for show. Marchello was my soulmate. There had never been anyone who understood me the way he did.

He saw who I was and wanted me anyway.

But what if Marchello couldn’t forgive me? What if he couldn’t see the long-term goal in what I tried to achieve? Was I doing the right thing?

I’ll make him see. I’ll do whatever it takes. As long as he’s alive, my efforts will be worth it.

The wind kicked up as I reached the edge of the property, shaking the leaves that were more sparse than when I had first arrived at this house. The chrysanthemums were in full bloom and the grass wasn’t as green.

I waited a few minutes, but there was no sign of my father’s car. Would he send a guard? Maybe Michael would come for me.

Despite what Marchello and my father had done to one another over the last few weeks, I didn’t regret my choices. They were impulsive and hasty, but when had I ever thought anything through? That attitude seemed to work for me. Why stop now?

I hustled down the road. Was I doing something wrong? Why did I feel like a fugitive?

A black car pulled up a few feet from me and stopped. It wasn’t my father’s usual mode of transportation, but maybe he had sent someone else in his place.

I put one shaky foot in front of the other and made my way to the car. My heart raced when I thought about confronting my father. He wasn’t going to be pleased with me.

You can do this… You can do this…

Thedriver’s side door opened, but no one got out. Alarm bells went off in my head. The longer I waited, the more an urge to flee took over, but it was too late. I had already given up the location of the safe house.

If my father had double-crossed me, I could have made Marchello a target. Why didn’t I think this through?Damn impulses!

After a second or two, the car door widened, and the driver exited the vehicle. My throat went dry, and my cheeks burned with frightened tears. The confirmation that my father had double-crossed me stared me dead in the face.

“Hello, Lissia.” Danny came to the back of the car and leaned against it. “Surprised to see me?”

His blond hair was a little longer than a few weeks ago, but his blue eyes were just as icy. They still made my stomach churn. Through blurry eyes, I straightened my posture and sucked in an infuriated breath.

“Where is my father?” I asked, assessing my extremely slim options. My stubbornness refused to allow me to believe I had lost this battle.

“Daddy isn’t coming.” He tapped his fingers on the car. “He sent me to retrieve you.”

“Why?” I whispered. “How could my father do this to me?”

“Because he honors his deals.” Danny pointed at me. “You were promised to me. I intend to collect one way or another.”

“No.” I stepped back. “I told my dad I didn’t want to marry you. He said I could come home. He wouldn’t… I wouldn’t have to marry you.”

“Maybe you should have gotten that in writing.” He glanced at the path behind me. He had me cornered, and he knew it. “You never should have gone to Marchello that night. I don’t have time to deal with him now, but he’s going to get what’s coming to him.”

“No.”

“We might have been able to settle this like gentlemen, but because you interfered, I’m going to kill him slowly. I’ll torture him in ways you can’t imagine. Maybe I’ll make you watch so you’ll know not to fuck with me again.”

“You’re sick and twisted!”

“When I slit his throat, he can look into your traitorous eyes and know you’re the reason he drew his last breath.”

“That will never happen. If you take me, if you hurt me, Marchello will kill you.”

“Why? Because you mean so much to him?” He swept the hair that had fallen into his eyes away from his face. “He left you here unprotected and gave you the opportunity to escape. What kind of man is he? He can’t even keep his hostage in line.”

“That’s not what happened.”

“It doesn’t matter. The point is, he doesn’t care what happens to you. You mean nothing to him. His family will always come first. You’re coming with me as your father promised. You’re mine to deal with.”

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