Page 87 of Ruthless Oath

“You’re right.”

“I know, but say it again so I can record it.” He held up his phone. “Tell me I’m better-looking than you too.”

I swatted his phone out of his hand, sending it across the room.

“Fuck.” He went to retrieve it. “And here I thought sex was going to make you less grumpy.”

“I did have sex before I met Lissia, you know.” It wasn’t as fulfilling, except I didn’t know that until I had been with her. “Can we get back to business?”

“Yeah.” He scrolled on his phone. “I’m going to forward you documents for the dealership. We need to transfer funds, and in Dad’s absence, both of our signatures are required. I also have to return a few calls and see where we are with replacing the cars Collins vandalized.”

“How’s that going with insurance?” I asked.

“They aren’t happy that our cameras weren’t fully operational that night.”

While that wasn’t entirely true, if we had handed over the evidence to the police, Collins would have been their problem and not ours. I would much rather take care of him myself.

“Our IT guys explained that a storm surge took out the cameras. They haven’t challenged us, so I’ll see about getting the claims expedited.”

“You’ve taken on a lot since I’ve been out here,” I said. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s my legacy too.”

“I like it better when we’re at peace.”

“This happens every few years. It’s harder this time because whoever wants this territory has enough power to force Dad underground. But we’ll figure it out.” He motioned toward the door. “I should get going if I want to be back in the city before the dealership closes for the night.”

Choices. It all comes down to them.I had to make a crucial decision if I wanted my family to remain in power.

“Milo,” I said. “Dad’s right.”

“About?”

“It’s time for me to come home and correct my mistakes.”

“You could get yourself killed.”

“Maybe. But this is the choice I’m making.”

Twenty

Lissia

Replayingthe conversation I wasn’t supposed to hear in my head filled me with anxiety.

Why did I eavesdrop? Why didn’t I go upstairs like Marchello had told me to? Then I wouldn’t know what was really going on.

“Dad agrees with you. As much as he doesn’t trust Gallanti, he doesn’t want to believe the man would sacrifice his daughter,” Milo said.

“He sacrificed her when he promised her to Collins.”

That was what had set this whole clusterfuck in motion. I threw a tantrum and ran straight into Marchello’s waiting, captive arms.

“How does a man do that to his own flesh and blood?” Marchello asked.

That was a very good question. One I planned to ask my father the next time I saw him.

“Dad originally thought I could use Lissia as leverage, but given the circumstances, I don’t think that’s an option,” Marchello told his brother.

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