Page 68 of Of Vows and Betrayal

He shrugs nonchalantly. “I am, thanks.”

“So, how much did you fuck up?” Tiago asks, his voice dripping with concern and frustration.

“Father Hernandez, are you supposed to swear like that?” I sigh, shaking my head when he simply glares at me. “Don’t you have a mass to entertain?”

“Celebrate,” he corrects me. “And I said I was sick—Father Dean is taking care of it.”

“So, you lied and left your flock to a baby priest. How unlike you.”

“I didn’t lie. I’m sick with worry, and my flock is fine. Plus, it’s not the worst vow I’ll break this week.”

His words somehow dim my irritation. I know what Tiago did for me, how hard it must have been. I sigh and flop onto the couch, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me.

“I’m sorry,” I say, the words heavy with regret.

Tiago’s expression softens, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “What happened?”

“He’s dead.” I don’t need to say who.

Derek looks down as if grieving.

“Did you—” Tiago begins, his voice trailing off.

I shake my head. “No, I wouldn’t have.”

Derek looks back at me, a pierced eyebrow raised. “Not anymore. Not after her.”

“How did you even pull that one off without getting killed?”

“I—uh—I had help.”

Both of them stare at me intently. “Who would be powerful enough to—” Tiago stops talking as it clicks.

“Lucchese…” Derek whispers in awe and horror. “You put her in Lucchese’s crosshairs? Are you mad?”

“It’s not that easy?—”

“Lucchese is a fucking madman! Have you seen what he did to Theo?” Derek’s voice rises with anger and fear.

I won’t go into it once again. Theo was one of Derek’s best friends, and they grew up together in foster care. His death, while not completely unwarranted, was a brutal reminder of Lucchese’s ruthlessness. Derek has always been blind to Theo’s faults, seeing only the good in his friend.

“I know what he did to Theo,” I say quietly. “But I didn’t have a choice. It was the only way to get Ophelia out alive.”

Tiago runs a hand through his hair, looking torn. “You’ve put her in even more danger. Lucchese doesn’t help people out of kindness.”

“I’m aware of that,” I snap, my frustration bubbling over. “Lucchese is getting his share.”

Derek shakes his head, still looking disbelieving. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

As if I had the choice. “Ophelia is not your problem.”

“She’s my friend,” he snaps.

“Is she? Does she even know that…Jenna?” I’m being cruel, but right now, I just need to let out some steam. “She’s the woman I love, Derek. The love of my fucking life.”

The words shock us both, but they ring true. Silence falls between us, filled with the weight of my admission.

Derek’s eyes widen, his anger momentarily replaced by surprise. “Javier, I…”

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