Page 23 of His Vicious Vow

Two hours later I think we’re done. Only for Tony to lean back and study me.

“How are you doing with Carina? You treating her right?”

It’s a threat of pain if I don’t answer correctly. I open my mouth to defend myself but I can’t find the words. Now that business is done, I’m up and pouring a double of the scotch.

Tony’s deep chuckle fills the room. Yet it’s Dominic who speaks from behind me as I sip deep on my pour. “When she has you drinking, you met your match. It’s never going to get easy that of all the people you’ve encountered in this life it’s a small woman who brings you to your knees.”

I turn, shaking my head as I do.

“Uh uh that’s what I was about to say. The more you fight it the worse it will be for the both of you. Carina is a sweet girl who wants the soft words and sweet touches. Give it to her and she’ll stop fighting you.”

Throwing back the glass I don’t pick up the bottle for another pour the way I want. “It won’t be enough. She won’t want the words, she’ll need the flowers and the hours of time to show her.” I sit down in the uncomfortable chair again. “I care about her. I’m going to take care of her and give her everything she wants and needs. We can make a good marriage.”

“What she needs is someone who loves her. It’s what she deserves too.” Tony shakes his head. “You fight your feelings is also you fighting her. She’ll feel it. You let her feel it and you’ll make your life harder than it has to be.”

“I’m not, look I’m not going to discuss it. I’ll take care of her. In that vein I need your help with helping Carina dress like an adult. I remember Luca said something about a shopper here in Chicago he was going to take Bella to see. Do you have the name and contact information?”

Tony’s jaw tightens but he nods. “I have it, Lydia Holt. She’s pregnant and due soon. I’m not sure if she’ll take someone on. I’ll call her first thing tomorrow. If she’s available I’ll have her call you.”

I pull the ring from my pocket. “I also need to find a place where I can get her a different ring. She hates this.”

Dominic takes it from me. “I agree with her. This thing is hideous. It looks like something out of a crackerjack box.”

“That bad? Why would Bianca pick it out if it’s that bad?” I wonder as Tony nods in agreement. Bianca was so sure Carina would like it. She even said she would be hurt if Carina didn’t.

“You asked your sister to pick out the ring?” Tony is frowning.

I shrug. “No. I was telling Natasha to have the jeweler come by with some rings for me to take a look at so I could pick it out. Bianca was there and offered to do it for me.”

His frown deepens. “Keep your sister away from Carina.” It’s an order.

“What?” I don’t understand.

“No woman picks out a ring that ugly for another woman unless she’s got a problem with her. Since they haven’t met it means your sister is going to do her best to makes things hard on Carina. You said you’re going to take care of Carina—you keep your sister away from her.” Tony is firm.

It doesn’t make sense. “Bianca isn’t a woman. She’s my little sister. I told her this wouldn’t be a normal marriage. But…” Shit. Did Bianca think I meant something else? I’m shaken from my thoughts by Tony landing his hand on my shoulder with a resounding slap.

“Just keep them apart until you and Carina are settled.” He says as he walks out of the suite.

“I got a guy for the ring thing. You want him to bring something for you to pick out or you got a design in mind?” Dominic asks.

After how badly the one I have went over, I’m thinking it needs to be sensational. I don’t know the first thing about designing a ring though. “I have no fucking idea. So maybe have him bring by something for me to look at first.”

“I’ll call him tonight, give him your number and you two can talk. You ready for me to text Eddie to come up?”

“Yeah, send him up.”

With a nod, Dominic leaves.

A few minutes later Eddie knocks on the door. I let him in then go to pull out the extra pillow and blankets from the closet in the bedroom for him to sleep on the sofa with.

“You sure you don’t want a room?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “Nah, I’m good. You got a bullseye on you. I need to be close enough to you to get between you and a bullet.”

His casual reminder of the hit on me should probably give me more pause. But all I care about is checking the cameras to see how Carina is doing. My phone rings as I settle into bed, for the first time in my life seeing my sister’s name I hesitate before answering. The hesitation alone sends guilt through me. No. Tony was wrong. He didn’t know Bianca.

“Hey, what’s up?” I wince at the way it comes out of me in a growl.

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