Page 79 of Of Vows and Betrayal

Instead of anger, it’s pain that flashes in her eyes, and I’m not certain why.

She puts the suitcase back on the floor. “Let me be frank, okay? You know the reason why I’m here, and I will spend every minute I’m awake trying to figure out how I can get out of here, out of your life, and out of this pseudo marriage that is faker than your affection for me. Don’t!” She raises her hand. “You’re wasting your breath, and you’re wasting my time. Your past with my father was yours. What you did to me, on the other hand, is not something I can forgive or get past. You used me before we even met, used my weaknesses, my need for—” She clenches her fist. “You lied, deceived, and made me a traitor. You turned me into something I despise. There’s no turning back from this.”

“There could be.”

“Not if I don’t want to. I’m naive, but I learn fast. You used me once. Hell will freeze over before I give you that opportunity again.” She picks up her suitcase once more. “Now, can you please point me to my room?”

I sigh, my shoulders slumping with defeat. Patience was never my forte. I want to do something, anything thatwill lead to progress. I want to fix whatever this is by using any means necessary except giving it time or space that I don’t know how to give.

“Follow me.” I take her to the bedroom across from mine, hoping she will glance there—show me something, anything—but she keeps her back to it.

She doesn’t comment on the room, and just as she’s about to close the door, I impulsively stick my foot out, blocking it.

“What now?”

“Let me know the date of your father’s funeral. I’ll take you.”

She looks at me impassively for a few seconds before arching an eyebrow. “Don’t you think it would be bad taste to have you there after the mess you caused?”

I want to tell her that I did what was best, and if her father were still with us, he would agree, I’m sure. “I’ll stay in the car. I can?—”

She cuts me off, slamming the door against my bare foot hard enough to make me step back. “Don’t bother. I’m not welcome there,” she adds before slamming the door shut, and I hear the lock ominously fall into place.

“Fuck!” I mutter under my breath. She’s here, yes, but at the same time, she isn’t. The light is gone, but at least there’s fight left in her, even if it’s directed at me.

I wait in front of the door for a few minutes in a futile hope that she will open it. The silence on the other side is deafening, a reminder of the mess I’ve created.

Eventually, I turn away, walking back to the living room. Tiago’s words echo in my mind. I’ve got a lot of explaining to do,and I need to start by giving her space.

I slump onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. The weight of everything crashes down on me. I’ve made countless mistakes, but this one might be the costliest.

My phone buzzes with a message from Derek.

Derek: Are you okay?

I sigh, typing back a quick response.

Me: No, but thanks for asking.

I shake my head but text him again.

Me: What happened there? Did she tell you anything?

Derek: Not really. She just said they didn’t want her in the famiglia anymore. It’s what you wanted in the end, no?

I know he doesn’t really mean it as a jab, but it feels like it all the same.Not like that, I think, but there’s no point repeating it.

I hate the fact that she’ll miss her father’s funeral. It’s important for closure, and I hate that it’s being taken away from her. I look down at my phone, scroll through the list of names, and let my finger hover over the name of the devil himself. I close my eyes and let out a breath.

“You’re doing it for her,” I mutter, pressing the button.

“Vargas. To what do I owe the pleasure? I don’t think I requested anything more from you yet.”

“No, you have not.” My eyes wander to the newspaper folded on the coffee table and the main headline announcing the “surprising” resignation of Senator Thomson. “But it seems that the listening device I set up for you worked even better than expected.”

He lets out a rich, deep laugh, but there’s no joy in it. “It worked even faster than I could have hoped. I’m sure thenext senator will be a little more receptive to the expansion of my entertainment business.”

I can’t help but snort. It’s quite a creative way to refer to his gambling ring.

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