Page 50 of Brutal Vows

Ermanno turns toward it. My gut twists.

“Is this… this is the Russo family building, isn’t it?” I try to tug my hand out of his, but he tightens his hold. “No. No way in hell. Turn around.” He quirks a brow. I smack his shoulder. “Take me back to my apartment. I don’t care if you tie me up and shove me in a kitchen cabinet or something, just don’t take me in there,” I demand.

He flicks a glance over his shoulder before stopping at a gate at the side of the building and meeting my eyes.

“Did you just hit me?”

The menace in his tone arrows straight to my pussy. I fight the urge to shift in my seat, knowing the movement will only highlight my soreness.

“Yes, I did. You told me I could use it however I need,” I snark.

His lashes dip over his sultry eyes and he offers me the most devious smirk.

“Good girl,” he murmurs before lifting our joined hands and kissing my knuckles.

The guard knocks on his window. He turns. The man recognizes him and waves him through.

“You live here, don’t you?”

I can’t take the accusation out of my voice.

“I do.”

It shouldn’t surprise me. He’s Nico Russo’s consigliere. Living in the same building as the family he works for makes sense, but worms crawl in my belly as he rolls up to another security checkpoint.

“I shouldn’t be here. I know what my stepsister did was horrible, but my father also—”

“Nico knows you’re here. So does Dante. Neither of them blames you for your father’s idiocy.”

I suck down enough air to make my lungs ache and hold my breath until my heart stops trying to escape through my throat.

My father created a name for himself in the mafia realm by providing industrial electronic equipment—including hardware like drives, sensors, switches, and more—to powerful men without the hassle of taxes and such. He tried to sneak a foothold in New York City when I was in middle school, but he failed. Spectacularly. He was livid for weeks because he lost a shit ton of money and half his crew.

Maybe his frustration prompted Julieta to try her hand at seducing half the city.

I blow out a breath and shake my head before studying his profile.

“Did you also tell your father I’ll be with you today?”

“No.”

“Che cazzo?! Why not?”

He doesn’t answer.

“You are such astronzo,” I snarl.

He approaches yet another security checkpoint before he pins me with another panty-melting—if I were wearing any—smirk.

“You’re right, I am astronzo. I’m yourstronzo, gattina,” he says.

I shiver as he lifts our hands again and sneaks his tongue between my fingers. Emotions build in my chest.

He pulls forward and maneuvers into a brightly lit underground parking garage. Security cameras line the ceiling. There are no blind spots.

Ermanno pulls up to the spot nearest the elevators labeledfor loading onlyand turns off the car.

I don’t question his decision, nor do I wait for him to walk around the car and open my door. He scowls when I join him on his side, but his eyes soften when I slip my arm in his.

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