Page 24 of His Deadly Lies

“Easy, now,” I say in a low grumble. I part my jack to give Vincent and Hector a good look at my piece, hoping to get to the Accardi heir should he decide to go batshit crazy.

It’s a risk to get my gun out. Vincent is already agitated. He might shoot me where I stand before I have a chance to get my safety off. If he does anything to Ricardo, he’s a dead man.

“The Accardis won’t be treated this way. We won’t fall behind and lose to a third-rate family just coming on the scene,” Vincent bites out. A muscle twitches in his jaw.

Edward has his hands on the desk a moment later. Mia simply watches as though the entire situation is unfolding on a television screen.

“Third rate?” I hear Ricardo mutter under his breath before Balestra snaps his fingers.

“No one comes into my boardroom and reacts in such a way,” he murmurs. “Hector, if you’re unable to control your son, then he will no longer be permitted to attend these meetings. My verdict is final.”

Six men enter the room and head straight for Vincent.

I’m not being watched as closely since Ricardo is doing a great job of playing the worried heir, even though the kid is a faster draw than I am.

“Be smart about this,” I warn the kid, who looks like he’s ready to start shooting. His eyes are wild and mostly white, skipping between bodies.

“How about you get the fuck out before the grown-ups decide they don’t need you anymore?” Ricardo drawls.

After a half second, where I’m not the only one who barely dares to breathe, Hector holds his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “It’s fine. Vincent, replace your firearm if you please. There is no need for such a hysterical display. We’ll leave.” He bares his teeth. “This isn’t the end of the matter, but now is not the time for such discussions. We’ll be in touch.”

He adjusts the lapels of his jacket.

Once the two of them exit and the six men Balestra called in stand down, Ricardo plasters on a simpering grin and crosses to Mia, who looks about as pissed as an angry badger but changes her face the moment Ricardo steps to her side.

He reaches for her hand, lifting the limp appendage to his lips for a kiss that does nothing to erase the full wattage of his smirk.

The playboy mafia heir is on full display.

“I’m honored for the chance to explore a future together,” he murmurs. “I believe our syndicates will be more powerful than ever once we’re united.”

Rather than focus on the new couple—me knowing it’s imperative for me to maintain the charade for as long as possible—Balestra turns to me. “I’m quite impressed by the way you handled the situation,” he admits. “I knew I made the right choice.”

Ricardo inclines his head and retains possession of Mia’s hand. “Indeed, sir.”

The little act he’s pulling off makes me want to hit something. Or someone. It’s an effort not to walk after Vincent and Hector and take out a little bit of the tension inside. This is a good thing. I know this is a good thing. Whatever Edward wants, he gets, and right now, it’s an alliance with my family.

Edward drums his fingers on his thigh. “Now…there is something that requires a little bit of discussion. As we are poised to become family, there is an issue I must confide in you.”

Mia’s expression sours, but she remains silent.

“My daughter was attacked last night,” he continues. “It’s of the utmost importance that she remains safe. There is someone targeting us, Mia specifically, and I have someone working to find the culprit, but at this time, we’ve come up with nothing.”

The old man believes that he’s manipulating Ricardo into a corner. A test to make sure my nephew is really up to the task.

I perk up even as I drop my head. “I would be honored to protect my boss’s fiancée,” I offer Edward. “On my honor.”

7

MIA

I think the fuck not.

I stare between the three of them, displaying various levels of grit and determination. Papa thinks he’s made the best choice. There’s no arguing with him. Right now, discussing my safety, they all seem like mean SOBs you wouldn’t want to catch staring at you sideways.

I’m pretty sure they’re all packing enough to make the Secret Service jealous as well.

This entire scene is ridiculous, from Vincent losing his shit to Papa making this look as though he’s doing the Vittorios a favor, one they are expected to pay back by protecting me. And there is nothing I can do to stop it. Not even feigning an attack and throwing myself on the floor will do anything beyond delay the inevitable.

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