Page 123 of Dangerous Intent

“It’s dangerous for him.” He put his arm around me. “You’re right, he is desperate. He should have stayed hidden. That arrogant piece of shit shouldn’t have followed us to Miami.”

“But he did.”

“Now we can end this.”

“Whatever you think you know isn’t right.” I balled my fists to keep my hands from shaking. “There’s something we’re missing.”

Marchello’s phone rang, and he reached into his pants pocket. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Milo.”

As he answered the call, I thought for a moment. Danny was provoking Marchello, and the only way he could achieve that was to come for me.

“Do you have a location?” Marchello asked. “I’ll meet you out front in a few minutes.”

“You’re going after him now?” I asked.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He stood and extended his hand for me. “I’m going to lock the door behind me. Don’t go outside. Don’t leave the villa. It’s the middle of the night. Just stay put.”

“I won’t go anywhere.” My voice cracked. “Be careful.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about.” He traced his finger across my lips. “I’ll have you back home by tomorrow. You’ll be able to see your mom and Ricardo.”

“Okay.” I trembled as I held onto him. “Be safe.”

“I’m coming back to you.” The determination in his expression should have been believable but I couldn’t trust it. “I’d be a fool not to.”

“You’re not going to cut me loose?”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I was angry.” He kissed me long and slow, igniting both lust and uncertainty in my mind and heart, then tightened his hold on me. “We’re going to find common ground. I promise.”

I held his hand as we walked to the front door. The blood pumped through my veins faster than usual, creating a strange burst of anxiety. I feared if he left me, something horrifying would happen. Something we wouldn’t be able to recover from.

“I love you.” He winked and opened the door. “See you soon.”

Before I knew it, I stared at the closed door. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t act on impulse—I had to stay here and do nothing. If I ran after him, I’d lose him forever.

Why am I so afraid?Get it together!

I trudged down the hall and to the kitchen, emotionally drained. The quietness only added to my anxious demeanor. How long would it take for Marchello to rid us of Danny? Would the threat be over when I opened my eyes in the morning? How many more problems would pop up after this one was resolved?

Only time would tell but how much of that did we have?

I swung open the refrigerator and grabbed the pitcher of water. A beeping from a swiped keycard alerted me that someone was entering the villa.

“Dom?” I shut the door and set the pitcher on the counter. “Did you come in to keep me company? Do you want to play cards?”

“I don’t think we’re going to have time for that.” His rough, hoarse voice set a warning shot off in my head. “We have a plane to catch.”

I spun on my heel. Danny couldn’t be standing five feet from me.

Every muscle in my body stiffened, making my limbs heavy and my insides coil with alarm.

“No.”

“What?” He flashed his crooked smile, revealing his yellow teeth. “Not happy to see me?”

I inched back toward the patio doors, weighing my options. Could I get to Dom faster than Danny could get to me?

“Whatever you’re considering.” He held up his gun. “I wouldn’t.”

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