Page 65 of Vicious Vows

“Unbelievable,” Marchello muttered.

“He’s not holding you at gunpoint now.” My father lowered his voice. He motioned between me and Marchello. “The theatrics are over. This is over. I won’t put up with it anymore.”

“What makes you think you have a say in any of this?” I paced the room. I had to do something with this negative energy flowing through my veins. “How dare you call me a traitor. You were going to force me to marry that disgusting man.”

“You didn’t even give Danny a chance before you went running off with an Accetti heir.” My father followed me to the window. “You betrayed me. You ran off with the enemy, but I’m still willing to forgive you.”

“I betrayed you?” When I held out my hand to back him off, Marchello came to stand next to me. “How about when I asked you to come and get me? You sent Danny instead when you knew I didn’t want anything to do with him. He put his hands on me. He knocked me out.”

“He shouldn’t have done that,” my dad said.

“She should never have been in that position.” Marchello inched close enough that I could feel him against me. As angry as I was, I still wanted him to protect me. I still needed him to stand with me. “She shouldn’t have been shot at either.”

“That was a mistake,” my dad shouted. “Do you think I meant to hurt my daughter?”

“But you did hurt me.” My eyes stung as I tried to hold back the tears.I don’t cry. I don’t cry.“You didn’t listen to me when I told you I wouldn’t marry Danny. You didn’t hear me when I called you and asked for your help.”

My dad’s nostrils flared. I wasn’t a stranger to that look, but this time I wasn’t asking for a new dress or an expensive trip. What I wanted was more important than anything I had ever asked of him before. I wanted to be free to love Marchello.

“You’re definitely not paying attention if you think I’m leaving here with you,” I said.

“I’m paying attention.” My father looked between Milo and Marchello. “You will be coming home with me today. I will not have you in the middle of this war.”

“Stop the war.” I looked into Marchello’s eyes. “Please.”

“Lissia,” my father said. “I’m going to present this in a way I know you’ll understand.”

“I already said I’m not going with you.”

“If you don’t, I will cut you off.”

Did he really think this was about money? How insulting for him to believe that I would walk out of here so he wouldn’t cut me out of his will.

“Fine.” I turned and faced him, placing my hand on my hip. “Cut me off. I don’t care. I don’t want anything from you.”

“How do you expect to survive?” he asked.

“I’ll manage.”

“How long do you think your thug boyfriend will support you?” He motioned between me and Marchello. “What are you going to do when he tosses you out on the street because he’s tired of you?”

“That will never happen.” Marchello stepped toward my father. “It’s time for you to go.”

“I’m not going anywhere without her.” My dad reached for my arm.

Marchello got in between us and shoved my father back, causing him to stumble and release me.

“Don’t you ever touch her.” Marchello pointed at my dad. “I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever do.”

“You’re going to regret that.” My father reached inside his jacket, but before things could escalate any further, two of the guards from the hall stepped inside the room and stood in front of me, Marchello, and Milo.

“Were you seriously going to pull your weapon with Lissia standing between us?” Marchello pushed me to stand behind him. “Did you learn nothing from your botched hit?”

“Don’t act like you wouldn’t have done the same if I had put my hands on you, Accetti.” My father straightened his tie. “Lissia, you chose the wrong side.”

I leaned against the window, gripping the sill for support. My legs wobbled as tears spilled from my eyes. My father had no regard for me when he pointed his gun at Marchello.

“Stay away from her.” Marchello’s jaw tightened. “I won’t be so controlled next time.”

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