Page 127 of Vicious Vows

“Collins has been spotted in the city.” I glared out the window, hating not knowing where he could be and when he would show his ugly face.

“This city?”

“I’ll find him, and I will eliminate him.” There were too many complications when it came to killing Gian, but Collins was a different story. She wouldn’t get in my way again. “I promise he won’t hurt you.”

“Then why the rush to marry me?” Her body tensed. “Just kill him and be done with it.”

“I intend to, but your conviction over this matter surprises me.”

“He tried to kill us,” she said. “He hurt me when he had me at the cabin, and he swore that if given the chance, he would do vile things to me.”

“What kind of things?” My jaw twitched. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“They were threats,” she said. “He was talking nonsense because he was mad I went with you.”

“What threats?”

“He said that if I wasn’t a virgin, I wouldn’t be a suitable bride, but he could still make money off me…” She closed her eyes. “He’d make me be with his associates. He said men would pay a lot of money for me.”

“Fuck.” I released her and stepped back.

What Milo had heard was more than an idle threat. Collins was making good on his promise. I had to find him and blow his head off before he could hurt her.

“What’s wrong?” Lissia touched my shoulder. “I know you wouldn’t let that happen.”

“It’s already happening.”

“What are you talking about?” Her brow crinkled. “I’m safe with you.”

“Milo’s intel uncovered some disturbing information about Collins and his plans for you.”

“He already tried to kill us,” she said. “What could be worse than that?”

“What he has planned for you is a lot worse than death.” I ran my hand along my jaw, fighting the urge to tear apart this city until I found him.

“Oh my God.” The color drained from her face. “His plans? He wants to…”

“I won’t let him touch you.” I reached for her hand. “I promise you that.”

“Your solution is to marry me?” She yanked her hand out of mine. “You’re so romantic.”

“Don’t pull away from me.” I gripped her arm and slammed her into my chest. “I don’t like it.”

“Stop it.” She huffed.

“I vowed to protect you. That’s what I’m doing. If you’re my wife, no one in their right mind would align with Collins. No one would go against me.”

“Listen to yourself.” She raised her voice. “You’re ordering me to marry you in some absurd business move.”

“Business move?” I released her from my hold. “Do I have to remind you that I wouldn’t even be in this situation if you hadn’t blown my whole world apart?”

She opened her mouth, but a sarcastic, blood-pressure-raising retort didn’t follow. Instead, she looked down in defeat and turned to face the window.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” I said. “You’re my entire world.”

How did we end up here? Probably because I fucked up this proposal.

“You want me to marry you because you want to protect me.”

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