Page 64 of Dangerous Intent

“Have fun in Miami.” He winked. “I hope there isn’t a repeat of the last time you were there.”

As the door slammed shut behind him, his words echoed in my mind. A cold knot twisted in my stomach. He wasn’t just being smug—he knew something I didn’t.

Something dangerous.

FIFTEEN

Marchello

Every choiceI made felt like walking along the edge of a cliff and hoping not to fall. Keeping Lissia close appeared safer, but was I actually bringing her closer to danger? Miami wasn’t just a trip, it was a battlefield waiting for the first shot.

But she would find a way to unleash turmoil without me. Having her with me was the only sure way to protect her. I had to trust that mine and Lorenzo’s teams could keep her out of trouble for a few days while I tended to business.

The more I researched the men I would be meeting with, the more I understood how important it was to align with them. They were coming into my territory whether I wanted them to or not. That was the climate of the business these days. This was not the old school mafia of fifty years ago when men like me could get away with anything.

The competition our own government gave us with the legalization of pot and sports betting made it tougher to do business. There were also cameras everywhere nowadays. We had to be more discreet than ever.

My father recognized the importance of cartels early on. If we didn’t work with them, they would work against us. Making Lorenzo an ally proved to be smart. He understood how important it was for me to keep the Accetti territory thriving under my family’s control.

As I gazed out at the Manhattan skyline from the dealership, Lorenzo briefed me over the phone about his security plans for us while we were in Florida. He had returned to Miami after I agreed to the meeting and had been communicating with me ever since I told him I was bringing Lissia.

“I’ve reserved a private villa for you,” he said. “I also made sure that the surrounding villas are vacant. Your team can stay in those, and no one will be around to bother you.”

“Security on the perimeters?”

“Your accommodations back up to the ocean. I could put boats out there.”

“I know you’re joking, but it’s not a bad idea.” I leaned back in my chair. “I’ll have men take shifts on the beach.”

“I can do whatever you want,” Lorenzo said. “But…”

“What?” I asked.

“We both know our efforts will be futile if Lissia doesn’t cooperate.”

“She’ll cooperate.” The stakes were too high for her not to. We couldn’t afford any issues with my father being undercover.

“If you say so.”

“Lorenzo, if you want me there, just make sure you have the security under control.”

“You have nothing to worry about. My cartel knows how important an alliance with the Accetti family is. We’ll keep you safe.”

“I appreciate it,” I said. “Can you make sure my other request is met?”

“The Christmas tree?”

“I want Lissia to have some holiday spirit.” She had been so out of sorts lately. I wanted her to enjoy the holidays and get back to being more like herself.

“My staff is on it, but I didn’t peg you for such a sentimental guy.”

“You know what they say about a happy wife.”

“The sex is phenomenal?” He laughed.

“Exactly.”

“I’ll get you the biggest tree I can find.”

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