Page 54 of Dangerous Intent

“Then prove to me that you can accept that I need to think about it.” He held up his hand. “I don’t want to hear another word about it until I’ve made a decision.”

His stern glare stopped me in my tracks. If I wanted any chance at accompanying him to Miami, I had to allow him the time he needed. Could I do it? Would I be able to control my mouth and be patient?

He and I both knew the answer to that, but I could try. If it meant there was a possibility that he would let me go with him, I wouldn’t bring out my bratty side. I’d suppress her. What choice did I have?

“Well?” he asked.

“I won’t bring it up again.”

“Thank you.” He slowly brushed his lips along mine. “We need to deal with one thing at a time.”

He pushed his tongue between my lips and swirled it around my mouth, making me forget the most vital issue before us.

At least until he said, “We have to see what the future has in store.”

I pressed my forehead to his, not wanting this moment to end. Right now, it was just the two of us, but in a few seconds, it could be the three of us.

Fear, anticipation, and dare I say excitement flowed through my confused body.

“It’s time.” He glanced at the counter. “We need to face this and see what the results of that test are. We’ve stalled long enough. I’m ready to find out.”

What if I’m not ready to know?

THIRTEEN

Marchello

The small plasticstick on the counter felt like a live grenade, ticking down the seconds to an explosion I couldn’t predict. My chest tightened, and a swirl of panic and something almost like hope clawed at me. A baby wasn’t just life-changing—it was life-defining.

My mother being killed when she was pregnant triggered a whole new set of fears when it came to keeping Lissia safe. I wasn’t prepared for a baby. My business didn’t allow me the luxury of becoming a father. Not with all of the threats surrounding us.

I glanced at the test. Regret dominated my emotions, but the heaviness in my soul wasn’t meant for me.

“It’s negative,” I said.

“It is?”

When I showed Lissia the test, she nodded and looked away. I placed it back on the counter and hugged her. She held me back with such need.

I would always be there for her. No matter how crazy she made me, I would never abandon her.

“It’s going to be okay.” I rubbed her back. “We’re going to be okay.”

“It wasn’t meant to be,” she said.

“That doesn’t mean that will always be true.”

“I suppose.”

“You’re disappointed.”

“You’re not.”

Her tears came quietly, but the way her body shook in my arms told me everything. This wasn’t the woman who threw cookies at my head or stared down my enemies with defiance. This was someone raw, stripped of her armor, and she was trusting me to protect her in a way I wasn’t sure I could.

“Listen to me.” I kissed her. “I have to tell you something, and I need you to hear it.”

She wiped her cheeks as more tears fell. Seeing her in so much agony shattered my heart. My mission in life was to give her anything she desired.

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