Page 103 of Deadly Vows

“You talk like he is the devil. Why would you marry someone like that?” he asks.

“I didn’t have a choice. It was arranged,” I say.

I release a bitter chuckle, for once being able to speak my true feelings to someone without fear of the consequences.

“And a month later, my husband killed my father. So trust me when I say your life means nothing to him,” I laugh bitterly.

“And what about your life? Why would he let something like this happen to you if he cares so much?” he asks.

I look at him in confusion.

“That isn’t your place to ask,” I say.

“So you’re just going to return to this life you clearly are reluctant to go back to?” he asks.

“Were you not listening? I don’t have a choice,” I say.

Wyatt watches me in confusion before looking away.

“Of course…I’m sorry if I overstepped,” he says, standing.

“Once you finish up here, I can take you down the mountain—”

Suddenly, Rosco begins growling at the door. I tense, standing as I reach for the knife, holding it in front of me.

“Oh God…he found me,” I whisper.

Wyatt is up from the table, his voice low. “Rosco, come,” he says, moving to the end table near the door. He pulls open the drawer, pulling out a gun, his stance reminding me of Luca and his men as he watches the front door steadily.

He shifts his attention to me, gesturing for me to cross the room.

“Get behind me,” he murmurs.

I scramble from my seat, holding the knife tight as we both stare at the door, waiting for the intruder. I don’t know how long I stare at the door, but it feels like an eternity. I want to run and hide, but I know that I can’t here. We are surrounded by snow and hazardous terrain. Our only chance is to fight.

The sound of footsteps outside the door quietly reaches us, and I grip my blade tightly as I imagine the reinforcements Alexander must have gotten to come after me. I bite my tongue as the door suddenly bashes open, and two familiar faces enter the room with their weapons drawn.

My eyes widen.

It’s Romelo and Nicolai.

And not far behind is Luca Pasquino himself, gun drawn as he enters the room. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see him. His eyes are murderous as they shift from Rosco to Wyatt and finally land on me.

Tears spring into my vision, and I quickly step forward.

“Luca?” My voice is a soft whisper as I speak his name, mirroring everything that I feel.

I tense when I feel Wyatt grip my arm, and Luca’s eyes follow the motion, lifting his gun to shoot. I quickly rip my arm fromWyatt’s grip, stepping directly in front of him as I cross the room to jump into his arms.

“You’re really here,” I sob as his scent engulfs me, reminding me of everything that I am—everything that I can never run from. This is my life. And no matter where I go or who takes me, Luca will find me.

His arms close around me as he buries his face into my neck, holding me tight.

“I thought I’d fucking lost you,” he murmurs.

I cringe in pain as his hand brushes over the bruises on my back, and he notices, pulling away with a frown. His hand gently runs over my face, wiping my tears as he takes in my pitiful state, including my black eyes.

“I’m here now. No one will ever touch you again,” he says.

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