Decent enough introductions, malice notwithstanding (7)
I believe the answer is:
despite
'notwithstanding' is the definition.
(notwithstanding means despite or nevertheless)
'decent enough introductions malice' is the wordplay.
'introductions' suggests taking the first letters (the letters which introduce the word).
'malice' becomes 'spite' (synonyms).
The initial letters of 'decent enough' is 'de'.
'de'+'spite'='DESPITE'
(Other definitions for despite that I've seen before include "Notwithstanding" , "Regardless of, in defiance of" , "In the face" , "Undeterred" , "Without being affected by; contempt" .)