Page 61 of Vicious Vows

“She sees us both very clearly.”

“Where is she?” he asked. “I want to see Lissia.”

“Are you going to apologize for what you did to her?”

“You let me think that she…” He gritted his teeth. “I thought she was dead.”

“Serves you right.”

“I told you the night of the auction to stay away from her. Now look where your arrogance has gotten us all. Shouldn’t you be worried about your father?”

“Don’t talk about my father.”

When Milo came back into the room, Gian pointed toward him.

“Your father should have left him in charge,” he said. “He has to have more sense than you.”

“You have a set of balls on you to come here,” I said. “But you know I can’t kill you out in the open.”

“I’m not worried about you, but I’m terrified for my daughter.”

“She’s better off with me.”

“I need to see that Lissia is okay,” he said. “I know she’s here.”

“What if she doesn’t want to see you?” Milo stood next to me. “You’re a poor excuse for a father.”

“Don’t judge me.” Gian moved farther into the room. “I’ve looked out for her since the day Rosalie found out she was pregnant.”

“Were you looking out for her when you tried to marry her off to Collins?” I stepped toward him. “Did you have her best interest at heart when she called you and asked you to come and get her, and you sent Collins instead?”

“I miscalculated.” He tightened his jaw. “I should have come for her. If I had, she never would have gone back to you.”

“Did you miscalculate when you sent that fucking scum to kill my brother and me?” I shouted. “Was it a mistake when your daughter, who you claim to love, got shot instead?”

“That never should have happened.” Gian flapped his hand in the air. “If she wasn’t with you, none of that would have happened. This is your fault.”

“I’m not the one who shot her.” I lunged for him, but Milo grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “You get that honor all to yourself.”

Lissia hurried into the room. “Daddy? What is he saying?”

The shock on her face gutted me.

“Lissia,” I said.

“Why would Marchello accuse you of shooting at us?” She touched her forehead. “I don’t understand. What do you have to do with what happened in Miami?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Gian’s confusion matched his daughter’s.

“I didn’t have to.” I glared at him. “You did that by coming here.”

“Is it true?” When she put herself in between us, I couldn’t escalate this. “You were the one who shot me?”

“Lissia.” I reached for her, but she backed away.

“You knew?” She looked at me and her voice cracked. “Marchello, how could you keep that from me?”

“I can explain.”

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