Page 76 of Ruthless Oath

Maybe I would pay later for running my mouth and walking away from him, but at that moment, I didn’t care.

Let him try his worst.

Seventeen

Marchello

I had to strike back.But was it the right move? Did I come from a position of strength, or had I inserted my family deeper into this battle?

What is my father going to think?

“Marchello,” Lucas said. “There’s a key shipment coming into the port tonight. Collins is overseeing it.”

“The one they have been waiting to move,” I said.

“That means it is important to Gallanti and Bello.” Milo handed me a drink. “Our intel has the three of them working together to bring this shipment in. The port authority is going to look the other way.”

“This operation cost them a fortune to set up.” I leaned back in my chair. “I’m starting to think the three of them working together wasn’t an accident.”

“Someone set them in motion,” Lucas said. “I’ve been going through your father’s papers, and I’m trying to see if anything stands out. Any unusual requests he may have had before he left.”

“Do you think whoever Gallanti is working with may have approached our father first?” Milo asked.

“It’s possible.” Lucas glanced at me. “It might help explain the threats your father received.”

“Let me know if anything jumps out at you,” I said. “Gallanti is a threat, but if he isn’t the reason my father was forced underground, I need to figure out who is.”

“Gallanti has to be dealt with,” Lucas said. “Is that a task you’re prepared for?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

I gazed out the window as Ricardo hurried across the wet lawn.Why is he walking around in the rain?

Both he and Lissia had kept their distance from me in the past twenty-four hours. Or maybe it was me who kept my distance from her. I found it difficult to focus when she was in my presence. Taking the next step in retaliation against her father required a mindset I didn’t have when I was with her.

“Have you considered coming back to the dealership?” Lucas looked at Milo and then to me. “Your presence in the city is required.”

“We’ve been over this,” I said.

“Chello.” Milo set his glass on the table. “If you’re not going to listen to me, listen to Lucas. He knows what Dad would want.”

I respected Lucas. And Milo was right when he said Lucas would know what our father would want, but our father wasn’t here.

“Lucas, I’ll hear you out, but I have other factors to consider. It’s not as easy as me walking out of here and resuming my life. I’m sure you can appreciate that.”

“You have gotten yourself into a mess,” Lucas said. “But it isn’t one we can’t get out of. We can probably negotiate something with Gallanti.”

“Negotiate what? He sabotaged one of my shipments and vandalized my dealership. I’m supposed to make a deal with him and forget everything?”

“I didn’t say that.” Lucas held up his hand when Milo offered him another drink. “This problem you created with his daughter has to be resolved.”

“How do you suggest I do that?” I asked.

“Let her go,” Lucas said. “Gallanti and Collins will deal with her, and you’ll get back to business. No more distractions.”

I glared at Milo.

“I didn’t tell him to say that,” my brother said.

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