Page 16 of Ruthless Oath

“I don’t need a spoiled, inconsiderate brat in my life.” I kept my voice low as I got in her face. “Your games could distract me from bringing my father home, and I’m not going to let the enemy screw with my head.”

“You’re wrong.” She squirmed against me. “I’m not your enemy. I don’t have anything to do with your feud.”

“You’re so naive if you believe that.” I let go of her, pulled her off the desk, and pushed her in the direction of the door. “There is nothing here for you. Get out of here.”

“You’re crazy.”

“You have no idea how crazy I can be, especially when you fuck with my family.” I stormed around my desk and took a seat.

“My father was right about you,” she huffed. “You’re a thug who doesn’t have the smarts to keep your family in power.”

“Get out!” I clenched my fists. “Go back to the arms dealer.”

She picked up the pink box and hurled it at me. The cardboard hit my chest, and the cookies flew out to land on the floor. She turned and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

“Enjoy your cookies,” she yelled from the other side of the door. “Bastard.”

Four

Lissia

If my fatherthought I would comply with his latest request, he was out of his mind. Demanding I stay away from Marchello was bad enough, but this?No way!

“Lissia?” My father said from behind me as I tossed one shoe at a time out of my closet, trying to find the perfect pair for my new red dress. “Did you hear me?”

“I heard you.” I dug through a few boxes I had bought last spring when I was in Paris. None of them were right.

“Lissia,” my father barked. “Get out of the closet and look at me so I know you understand.”

“Fine.” I crawled out from the back of the closet with the box that contained the black ankle Manolo Blahnik boots.

He extended his hand and helped me off the floor. I hurried over to the bed with the box and lifted the lid.Perfect.

“Your lack of interest isn’t going to get you out of this,” he said. “You are going to marry Danny.”

“Please stop saying that.” I slipped one boot on, trying to block out this absurd conversation. The thought of his ridiculous demand made me sick. “I don’t want to marry Danny. Why would you even suggest something so off-the-wall?”

“Lissia, I give you everything you want,” he said with a sigh. “How much are those shoes you’re putting on your feet?”

“I don’t know.” That was the truth. I never looked at price tags. “I always do everything you ask, but I can’t do this. I can’t marry that man. We’re not compatible. I don’t even like him. He’s creepy.”

“You’ll grow to like him.”

“Why do you need me to do this?” I put on the other boot. “This is life-altering.”

“For all of us.” He sat next to me on the bed. “If Danny and I join forces, the Gallanti family becomes much stronger.”

“How much more power do you need?”

“You leave the business matters to me and you will continue to reap the benefits.” He patted my thigh. “Danny has assured me he will treat you well. I’ll make sure that he does.”

“I still don’t understand why I have to marry him.”

“Because what Danny has to offer me is very valuable in terms of business, but he needs reassurance that I won’t double-cross him. He’s not stupid.”

Yes, he is.

“By offering your hand in marriage, he knows I’m serious about this partnership. A man doesn’t just hand over his daughter to anyone. You’re far too precious to me.”

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