Page 82 of Brutal Vows

Livia shows her first signs of wisdom when fear flashes in her eyes.

The difference between their green orbs is obvious to me now. Livia’s irises with their brown flecks seem dirty compared to Loretta’s crystal clear rings, and I prefer Loretta’s pale green over Livia’s darker emerald.

When desperation creeps into Livia’s scared expression, I harden my heart for what comes next.

Loretta may never forgive me, but Livia has information I need in order to keep her and the Russo family safe.

“We’re sisters,” Livia pleads. “Sisters don’t always get along. We can—”

“No, Livia,” Loretta says. “You broke that bond long ago. I was just too naïve to see it.” She leans over her twin and grabs her by the throat. “There is no connection between us anymore. I owe you nothing.”

I watch in awe asmia gattinalifts the woman who emotionally abused her for decades by the throat and pins her against the wall. Livia clutches at Loretta’s wrist but seems utterly at a loss.

“We’re not sisters anymore. We’re not family.”

Livia gasps asmia gattinatightens her fist.

“I’m no longer a Giordano. I’m a Mancini,” my wife declares.

Despite the acrid stench of death and fear permeating the room and my men watching from the hall, my cock hardens as the woman of my dreams claims me in the simplest yet most profound moment of my life.

“The Mancini family protects the Russo family. Do you know what that means, Livia Giordano?”

Lust pounds through me, testing my control as Loretta voices the vow I’ve lived for years. Her proclamation fills my soul with peace and excitement.

“It means I’m no longer your curse. Instead, I’m your worst nightmare,” she snarls.

Warped mirth and pride fill my chest as Loretta pulls her fist back and knocks her twin out cold with a single punch.

She’s perfect. Vicious. Strong.

Mine.

I need her. Now.

She drops her sister and sags against the wall. I pull her against me.

“Wait, I’m not done yet. Give me a pair of handcuffs,” she says.

Despite her words, she circles her arms around me and hugs me as though she’ll shatter into a million pieces if she doesn’t burrow under my skin.

I tilt my chin at the man holding the door open. He steps over the threshold and pulls a pair of handcuffs from his belt.

Loretta growls, pushes off my chest, and snatches the metal from him.

“No one touches her but me,” she demands.

I grab her braid and stop her from dropping to her sister.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

She grits her teeth and pierces my soul with her bright green eyes.

“I’m getting the answers you need,” she says.

“You’re going to torture her yourself?” I ask.

She pulls in a long breath through her nose before responding.

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