Page 115 of Vicious Vows

“Lissia, now is not the time to act entitled.” Milo grabbed my arm and spun me to face him. “Don’t make me force you back into that car.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“Trust me. Go home. That is what Marchello would want.”

“Why are you here?” I studied his dark expression, seeing Marchello’s familiar features in his. “Where is your brother? Is he inside?”

My stomach churned up shards of dread. Nothing positive could come from Marchello and my dad being in the same room without me. Were they alone? Why were the guards out here?

“For once, you need to stay out of his way.” Milo shook my arm. “If you love him, you’ll get the hell out of here and let him do his job.”

“IfI love him?” I struggled out of his hold. “Everything I do is for him. If I don’t protect him from himself, who will?”

Milo chased after me as I ran up the porch steps.

“He doesn’t need your protection.”

“Get out of my way.” I shoved the guard standing in front of the door, but he didn’t budge. “This is my house.”

“Lissia.” Milo joined me, waving off the guard. “Chello has given you everything. Has he not?”

“Do you think I care about clothes and shoes right now?”

“I’m not talking about material items.” He reached for my hand. “My brother has given you his life.”

“I’ve reciprocated.”

“He has sacrificed and gone against his instincts for you.” Milo gazed at the sky. “There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for you.”

“I feel the same way about him.”

“You have to understand the lengths he would go now that you’re one of us. He would die to protect you.”

“I don’t want him to die.”

“Neither do I, which is why you have to let him do his job.” He nodded toward the SUV I came in. “I need you to get back in the car and go to the penthouse. Marchello will call you when he can.”

I stood for what seemed like too long. Marchello would want me to make the right choice, but I didn’t know what that should be.

Milo held my gaze, staring impatiently. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to be here when Marchello came out. Maybe he would tell me that the war was over. If he could do that, I would walk away from this house and never come back.

I could make that choice. I wouldn’t get in the middle of his business.

“I choose Marchello.” I sucked in a breath. “I always will.”

“I know.” Milo squeezed my hand. “I’ll walk you back to the car. I can have Dom take you to the main house. Ricardo is there. You two can do whatever it is you do.”

“But what about my father?”

“I don’t want you to worry.”

“You’ll make sure Marchello is okay?” I asked. “You won’t let anything happen to him?”

“Nothing is going to happen to him on my watch.” He grinned. “I’m too arrogant to let that happen.”

“Huh.” I smiled. “That trait runs in your family.”

“Just trust us, okay?” He ushered me toward the steps, but my body coiled in a tight, protective response when a loud bang, followed by another blast, came from inside the house.

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