Page 10 of Savage Vows

“If you give them to me, I’ll handle it, ma’am,” Chiara replies.

Too much to hope that she’d just offer her weapon.

She pulls a blade from her sock. The damn thing is at least half as long as her calf.

I slip into the uncomfortable shoes.

Matteo studies me for a moment, his expression inscrutable. His unreadable eyes seem to see right through me, past my anger, as if he’s wanting to get to know the real me. That’ssomething that will never happen. We’re no longer in the dark ages, and women can’t be forced to marry against their will.

Nash unlocks the door, and Matteo opens it. As if we’re a real couple, he steps out, and he offers his hand to me.

When I slide mine against his, electricity sparks through me. Quickly I yank my hand back. My response to him is dangerous and scary.

He gives me some room, and I exit the car. The moment I’m next to him, I’m aware of how vast our size difference is. I’m not short—five eight—but I feel tiny next to him. He has to be six three, maybe taller. And he’s as broad as a football player.

“Shall we?”

He tries to take my hand again, and I stuff mine into my pocket.

Instantly he’s behind me, and his hands clamp hard on my shoulders.

I round on him. “You can trust me.”

“Hmm?”

“How far can I get in these flip-flops?” I give him a slight shrug, hoping it helps convince him to let me go inside alone.

“You tried to run barefoot,” he reminds me. “I won’t underestimate you again.”

I’d been fueled by adrenaline, and even though I barely made it a couple of steps, the rocks had dug in hard.

“Hold my hand, or we’ll get back in the car.”

“Has anyone told you that you’re insufferable?”

“This week, as a matter of fact.”

Really?Who would dare tell that to a badass underboss and live to tell about it? I shiver. Unless the person didn’t live.

The truth is, in our world, men like Matteo get away with everything.

Which is one of the reasons I had to leave.

“What’s it going to be?”

I offer my hand, but I keep it stiff.

“A fighter until the end.”

He has no idea.

Nash is in front of us, and Chiara brings up the rear …an awful lot of effort for a woman who won’t be in their lives long.

Inside, I’m uncomfortably aware of how ridiculous I look, mismatched and out of place, compared to the polished trio accompanying me.

I pull away from Matteo and move toward the restroom. Annoying me, both of the bodyguards are right behind me, and Chiara actually follows me through the door.

“There aren’t any windows in here,” I tell her unnecessarily. “I’m not going anywhere.”

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