Page 77 of Of Vows and Betrayal

“Of course. He’s still your blood. It’s hard not to mournthem. Trust me, I know,” he adds as he parks the car.

And I decide then—I won’t be mad at Derek. I won’t hold a grudge, and I reach for his hand and squeeze it.

I see his throat wobble as he swallows, and he blinks a few times.

“So, we—we’re good?” he asks hopefully.

“We’re good.”

Derek helps me take my things out of the car, and we head toward the building. He scans a card and hands it to me. “This is the card to get into Javier’s apartment,” he says.

I hesitate for a moment, then ask, “Won’t you come back up with me?”

He shakes his head. “No, I think it’s best if you do that alone. But know I’m only two floors down, and my door is always open.”

I nod, feeling anxious but grateful. “Thank you.”

He gives me a small, reassuring smile. “Anytime.”

I step into the elevator and watch the doors close. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for whatever comes next. Facing Javier and confronting the reality of our twisted situation—it all feels daunting. But I remind myself of Derek’s words and the small comfort they bring. I’m not completely alone.

One step at a time,I tell myself.One step at a time.

Chapter 20

Javier

“They are on their way back,” I say, reading Derek’s text again. When he told me she was in the house with her cousin, my heart stopped. I reluctantly called Tiago to come here, dressed in his clergy shirt.

He is, was, my planBin case things went sideways. He’s as safe as can be with them, the Italians and their God. It’s pathetic, really, as if their souls had any chance at redemption. But Father Hernandez is a good asset when I need him.

Tiago keeps staring at me, as he has been for the past ten minutes since I dropped the marriage bombshell on him.

“You’re married?” he finally asks, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I sigh. “Ah, we’re still on that. I married her,” I repeat, rubbing my temples. The weight of my actions feels heavier with each passing moment. “Well, I didn’t exactly. Lucchese arranged it, but I agree with him now. It was the only way to keep her safe.”

He shakes his head, processing the information. “And she doesn’t know?”

“Not yet. She was not very receptive to revelations this morning,” I say, looking out the window. “I sent the papers to her family to ensure they couldn’t touch her. It’s the only way she would survive. But she didn’t consent to this. It was… necessary.”

Tiago sighs, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve done some questionable things, but this… this is a new level.”

I turn to face him, my expression hardening. “I had no choice, Tiago. She was in danger, and this was the only way to protect her. You know what they would do to her if she weren’t under my protection.”

He nods, but the concern in his eyes doesn’t fade. “And what about her feelings? Her autonomy? She’s not going to take it well.”

I know he’s right, but admitting it adds another weight to my already burdened shoulders. “I’ll deal with the fallout. I’ll explain everything to her. She has to understand.”

“Understand? You think she’llunderstand?” Tiago leans back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. “And you say it’s us, the men of God, who are delusional.”

I narrow my eyes at him and flip him the bird.

I hear the beep announcing the elevator is on its way up, and with each passing floor, my heart races faster. By the time the elevator dings at my floor, I realize I’ve been holding my breath.

“Husband, I’m home,” she says bitterly, letting her suitcase fall heavily on the floor.

I grunt. “Thanks, Tiago.”

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