Page 112 of Ruthless Oath

“This safe house is useless to us,” I said. “It’s been compromised. We have to clear it out.”

“I’ll have a team in here tomorrow.” Milo held Ricardo up by his arm. His bruised face swelled, and he looked as if he might pass out. “I’ll get your things moved back to the penthouse.”

I pointed at Ricardo. “Make him your priority. I don’t care where you keep him, but until I know she is safe, he doesn’t see the light of day.”

“Marchello,” Ricardo said. “She was trying to make things right for you.”

“Shut up.” I headed up the stairs. “You should worry about yourself, because if anything happens to her, I’ll make you suffer a long, slow, and painful death.”

Once I reached the bedroom, I kicked open the ajar door and looked around. Did I actually think she was going to be in here waiting for me?

Fuck, why isn’t she waiting for me? I told her to behave. Why didn’t she let me handle this?

A note rested in the center of the bed, mocking me. She left me a note? That was a punch in the gut, wasn’t it? Knowing she had planned all of this out made it worse. She had been working Ricardo and biding her time. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape.

I shouldn’t give her the satisfaction of reading her goodbye. Whatever she had gotten herself into she deserved.

Pacing the room, I stared at the folded piece of paper on the bed. I scooped it up and crumpled it in my hand.

Milo, Lucas, and my father warned me not to get involved with the Gallanti family. Why didn’t I listen? I was arrogant enough to think I could save her. That she would choose me over her father.

I sat on the edge of the bed, holding the crinkled piece of paper in my hand. Did it matter what she wrote? She was still gone. If I read this letter, then I would know she walked out of here willingly. Her words would confirm that I had given her the power to rip my heart from my chest while it was still fucking beating.

Her betrayal cut deep.

I took a breath and then slowly exhaled. I had to get my head back in this game. I would read her letter so I could put all of this behind me. I unfolded the note, taking in her girly handwriting.

Marchello,

You’re mad, and I don’t blame you. I didn’t behave. Not because I didn’t want to listen to you, though. It was more that I couldn’t listen to you. Not this time.

You think I’m a spoiled, selfish, entitled brat. That’s true most of the time, but I’m trying to do better. I’m trying to be better for you. I didn’t need you to change me. I wanted to change for you and be the woman you deserve to have by your side.

How could I be that woman if I stood by and let you go to war with my father? What if I had the power to stop all of this? Shouldn’t I try?

We’re going to find a way out of this. If we have to be apart while the dust settles, it will be worth it. I’m determined enough for the both of us. When I want something, I get it. I want you, Marchello. I have since the night of the auction. I didn’t stop then, and I won’t stop now.

I can do this for us. Trust me.

Your willing hostage,

Lissia

She had no idea what she had gotten herself into. Her father would never listen to her side of things. His hatred for my family was too strong for him ever to see the possibility of a relationship between me and his daughter. And the arrangement Gian had made with Collins was far more important than his daughter’s happiness.

We were doomed before we even started. Everyone except Lissia understood that.

She placed too much faith in her father, and now she was going to pay a steep price for leaving me.

In the end, everything came back to choices. The hardest ones were the most crucial. I had responsibilities and obligations while I kept the throne warm for my father. I didn’t have time to search for her and bring her back.

I had to make things right with the Argentina cartel and keep our cartel happy. We had to investigate Bello and figure out what happened to the nephew of a very dangerous man, all while trying to get my father home.

These were the things that required my full attention, but why were none of them at the top of my list? Because it all came back to Lissia. Without her by my side, none of it mattered. If I didn’t get her back, I didn’t stand a chance.

A mafia prince would be stronger with his princess by his side. I found a woman who was willing to sacrifice it all for me. Only a fool to let her go. And I was no fool.

I would do whatever it took to get her back, no matter how bloody it got or how many men came for me. If Gallanti wanted a war, I’d bring it to him. Accetti style.

---