Page 58 of Of Vows and Betrayal

Dario grunts. “Unfortunately not. Mr. Billionaire is far more protected than we anticipated.”

Billionaire?God, I feel even more stupid.

“But your father, on the other hand…”

I turn to my father, all the blood draining from my face. I’m hoping he will deny it. It can’t go that far, but I see the truth there.

“Your father’s actions… Well, your actions, really, made us lose millions. Ophelia, look at me!” Dario commands and I turn toward him. He’s never ordered me before. “Do you know how many men,goodmen, died because of your foolishness? How many children lost their fathers? How many wives are now widows because ofyou?”

“How can I fix that?” My voice cracks.

“Ophelia,” my father starts, his voice much gentler now.

“There’s no fixing it. The only thing you can do is damage control, and the only way to do that is to marry someone powerful enough to protect you and your father.”

My heart sinks. Was that why Romero was grinning? He was getting me anyway?

I nod despite the desperation filling me. After his behavior last night, I have little hope of a decent life with him, despite thedecentimage he shows the world. But living with the guilt of ruining my father’s whole life and the many people who died because of my idiocy is worse.

“I’ll marry Romero,” I say, my mind racing with a million thoughts. This could buy me time, a chance to find another way out. As repulsive as the idea is, it’s the only immediate solution I can see. But I vow silently to myself—this will not be my end. I will find a way to save my father and myself.

Dario laughs. “If you think my son has enough power to save your father, you’re more delusional than I thought. No, girl. The person you’re going to marry is me,” he declares, his voice dripping with malice.

I jerk back in my chair, almost toppling it over. I don’t think I can hide the horror in my face at the mere thought. The man is old enough to be my father… my grandfather even, and his sadistic nature is legendary.

I rest my hand on my mouth as I throw up a little at the thought of his hands on me and all the pain that would follow.

“Dario, no,” my father tries, but I keep my eyes on the snake in front of me.

“It’s not your decision, Angelo. You intervened enough for a lifetime. So what do you say, Ophelia?” His voice itself makes me cringe, and yet I hear myself asking.

“And the judge will go away?”

“Everything, yes. Your father will be supervised far more closely from now on, of course, but his status and reputation will remain untouched.”

I want to ask him where his thoughts are now for all the lives lost or if they stopped counting the moment he realized he could make me his broken doll.

“Fine.” I look at my father, and his look of anguish makes me feel a little better somehow. At least he understands the sacrifice I’m making. “I’m truly sorry for everything.”

My father is about to reply when my phone vibrates again. Dario’s eyes narrow. He walks over, snatches the phone from my bag, and swiftly removes the battery. Without a word, he tosses the phone into the fireplace, watching it crackle and burn.

“You won’t need this anymore,” he says, his voice devoid of emotion.

“I’ll go arrange everything for the marriage. You stay here in the meantime, Ophelia. I mean it,” Dario warns as he stands by the door.

“Wait! I need to go somewhere.”

“You will learn your place, wife.”

I want to correct him, tell him I’m not yet his wife, but I don’t need to anger him anymore.

“I need to go to church. I need to confess.”

His shoulders relax; despite all his crimes, the man is a self-declared Catholic. “Yes, of course. This is a good idea beforeyou take the marital vows in front of God. I’ll have two of my men take you. Which church?”

“San Miguel.”

His mouth tips down. “Ah, yes. I keep forgetting your… origins.” He looks at his watch. “Be ready in two hours.” He looks up. “Angelo, I’ll call off the judge. I’ll be here later to give you the time and place of the wedding.”

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