Page 51 of Brutal Vows

I may have fighting skills, but I’m in way over my head and Ermanno’s firm body and powerful presence are my only safety.I’m not stupid enough to push him away, even though it’s his fault I’m here.

He rests his hand on top of mine and guides me into the glass room of elevators. I study the elevator control panel and note the logo and colors on his keycard as he slips it into the slot. We step into the elevator and shoot up to a floor much higher than my comfort zone and exit into a posh hallway.

When he stops in front of what I assume is his father’s apartment, I angle myself behind him, hoping his bulky frame hides me from the peephole camera. He quirks a brow down at me, but I don’t care if he calls me a coward or not. His father most likely won’t even open the door if he sees me.

A dog’s deep bark filters through the intercom as a male gives a gruff command to enter. Ermanno twists the handle and opens the door.

I’m not afraid of dogs, but they tend to have the temperament of their owner, and the last thing I want to do is walk into someone’s home without their permission.

I dig my heels into the carpet, but Ermanno hauls me into the apartment, closes the door behind me, and leaves me in the foyer. A sense of abandonment streaks through me until his father’s deep, wet coughing reaches my ears. I fist the bottom hem of my sweatshirt and stand like an awkward interloper just inside the door.

A few seconds later, a low chuff precedes the padding of paws on the hardwood floor, but then a mini horse traipses around the corner. My heart stops at the animal’s massive size.

The beast freezes. Turns his head toward me.

And jumps like I bit him in the tail.

All my fear disappears, and the instinctual urge to erase the big baby’s terror takes over.

Before he can scurry back around the corner, I drop to one knee and offer him an upturned palm as I use the sweet, calmvoice I reserve for babies, animals, and patients who need a little more encouragement before surgery.

“Hiya, handsome. Aren’t you a magnificent, majestic boy?” The dog looks over its rump and whines as though requesting backup, but no one comes to save him. “You can come say hi to me. It’s okay.”

His ears perk and tail lifts. He scents the air a few times, then takes a few tentative steps toward me.

“What a good boy. Come here.” I pour pride and excitement into my tone.

He decides to trust me and trots over with his tongue lolling and his tail wagging. I reward him with pets, and when he sits down—halfway on top of me—I laugh and scratch his ears as I mock whisper, “I promise I only bite big, mean mafia men, so you’re safe with me.”

“Is that true?”

The raspy voice sucks all the joy from me, and I snap my attention to the end of the hall.

An older version of Ermanno stands with his arms crossed over his chest and a look so similar to his son’s it’s eerie.

I swallow my fear and give the dog a parting ear scratch before dropping my hands.

“Is what true?” I ask.

“That you only bite big, mean mafia men?”

“I…”

Ermanno’s broader frame fills the hall behind his father, but when he doesn’t save me, I shrug and say the first thing that comes to mind.

“Only one big, mean mafia man has ever given me a reason to bite him, but there’s nothing this sweet boy could ever do to deserve that.”

The dog’s tail thumps on the floor and he licks my face when my voice changes as I talk about him.

The old man grunts and starts down the hall toward me. His eyes give no hint as to his thoughts, so I rise and shuffle to the side, putting my body between him and the dog.

My heart pounds as Ermanno’s father continues toward me as though he has no intention of stopping. When he lifts his hand, I shift into a slightly wider stance to improve my balance and prepare for a backhand.

Ermanno’s eyes darken and he stalks forward, but I focus my attention on the immediate threat.

“Pops, wait—”

Ermanno’s father reaches past me and takes the dog leash off the wall hook.

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