Page 57 of The Vow

Rage simmered under the surface of my skin.

I knew Shazad wanted more than money.He wanted access to the sex trafficking ring run by the Chinese Triad so Uzair could have his pick of victims. I’d made sure Robyn and her brothers had destroyed that operation and any chance for that psychopath to harm any more women.

“Release him.”

Thug number two cut the ties around my wrists, and my arms dropped to my sides, causing me to wince.

Belmont stepped toward me and lowered his voice.

“If you wantusto have this opportunity, you come with more than money. If you don’t, then the next time I see you, we’ll find out if I do have the guts to kill the infamous Damon Remington.” He bent to pick my hat off the ground, examining it like he could tell a Borsalino from a Brixton and then snarling as he handed it back to me. “Maybe I’ll even hang your hat on the wall at my lodge, right next to the rest of my trophies.”

I smiled, not because I liked what he said or because I’d anticipated this and had a plan. I smiled because I’d found that the most unnerving thing you could do in a situation where you were up shit’s creek without a paddle was smile.

“Until next time then.” I took my hat from him, ignoring the pain it cost to do so.

Belmont grunted and then waved his hand at his men. “Take him out the back.”

I kept my smile all the way to the car, but Pat already knew something was wrong.

Chapter Sixteen

Robyn

“Signora?” Nonna called.

My head swiveled slightly but only to acknowledge I’d heard her. My eyes remained focused on the empty pool below, the surface of the water mocking me with its smoothness. It’s unruptured serenity. Meanwhile, it was precisely because Damon wasn’t here that my own peace was unraveling.

If Damon were here, he’d be in the pool.

He was supposed to be here.Except he wasn’t. He’d gone to meet with Belmont hours ago and still wasn’t back, and he’d gonewithout me.

He hadn’t told me what time he was leaving because he never intended for me to come with him. In hindsight, his answer last night came into perfect clarity.

“You’ll find out,”not “I’ll tell you.”True, but not the whole truth. A piece but not the whole picture. I found out the whole picture from his absence. I found out by getting out of theshower to a deserted house, save for Nonna. I found out…too late.

“Everything okay?” Her concern invaded my turbulent thoughts.

No, Nonna, everything wasn’t okay.

I was furious. I was so. Damn. Furious.

“Si,” I said and straightened my head. Right now, a lie was less combustible than the truth, and I was saving all my dynamite for Damon’s return.

Whenever that was.

Staring at the empty pool, my insides boiled with outrage. The worst of which was how worry grew in spite of my fury.

“He’ll be home soon,signora.Don’t worry.”

I went still.Did she know something I didn’t?Damon walked us straight into the lion’s den, poked the beast right in the face, and then went to meet Belmont alone today.Four hours ago.

If he was hurt…if Belmont…

I spun from my sentried post by the window, my eyes burning from the smoke of unshed tears, but Nonna was gone.

It didn’t matter—hedidn’t matter. I tried to reason with the wreckage of my heart. This was obviously his plan. To provoke Belmont. To set himself up. To meet with him alone. Damon had to know what danger he was walking into, and still he did it…without telling me.

I was sure he’d argue it was for my protection again. Just like introducing me as his wife. Damon used his chivalry like a weapon, and I hated him all the more for it. Hated how he could leave me in the dark—leave me behind—and still manage to outmaneuver the betrayal I should feel by supplanting it with concern.

---