Page 108 of Deadly Vows

Romelo steps forward, aiming his gun right at his head, stopping him midsentence.

“I owe you a life. You saved Elise. And the only way I will save yours is by offering you this. Either work for me, or die. And my wife seemed to be really fond of you and your pet. So I would hate to have to explain to her what happened to you,” I say.

Wyatt shifts his attention between me and Romelo more than once, obviously weighing his options. But he doesn’t have much. He may be a Boy Scout, but he is also all about self-preservation. His track record proves it. And while he would have to earn my trust, something tells me Elise’s existence alone would snare his loyalty.

“Fine,” he says.

“Good. I’m sure Nicolai will be happy to hear he can give the dog back,” I say.

Romelo lowers his weapon after a moment, and I step forward, dropping the folder filled with information on Agent Jeffries in front of him.

“Now, tell me everything that went down to get you thrown out.”

Elise

I jolt awake, flying up in bed. My skin is clammy as sweat sticks to me from the nightmare I endured. My fingers tremble violently as I reach around in the dark, feeling for Luca. But he isn’t here. I am alone. I quickly jump out of bed, running to the light switch. As I flip it on, it illuminates the room. Our bedroom, not Alexander’s. I’m home. I’m safe. I clutch my fingers to my chest, hunching over as I try to catch my breath.

I had a nightmare. I dreamt that I was back with Alexander, being beaten again. I note that the sweat is making the bruises on my back burn in pain, adding to my fear. I quietly pull open the door to our bedroom, making my way downstairs. The house is empty and eerily quiet with no lights on as I move down the steps.

I haven’t seen Luca since we got home earlier today. He’s always been a busy person, so when he left Enzo and me to our own devices, I assumed he had business to deal with. I figured he would at least come to bed, though. I continue to walk through the house in search of Luca until I finally reach his office.

The door is closed.

I push it open without knocking, my disappointment surfacing when I see that it’s empty. I exhale a deep breath, crossing the room to Luca’s desk, my eyes falling to my violin. It sits near his desk. He must have put it there.

So much pain and torture have happened in this room.

I pause when I make it to his desk. My rings sits on top of it. I smile as I reach for it, imagining the pain he must have inflicted on those people who dolled me up to be sold when he got it back. It fits perfectly as I push it onto my finger. It’s so strange how things have changed so much since the first moment Luca putthis on my finger. I shift my attention to his screen, my grabbing the ring waking up his computer.

My heart seizes in my chest as I finally locate my husband. He’s in the annex. I narrow my gaze as I lean in closer to the screen to see who it is that has earned his wrath tonight. I take a small step back. It’s Alexander.

He’s still alive.

The longer I stare at the gruesome display, the more I realize I don’t feel sickened by it. Excitement flutters in my stomach as I watch Luca continue to strip the flesh from his back. The amount of blood lingering in the room with lumps of flesh in it is entrancing.

I laugh aloud.

“I told you he would kill you,” I murmur.

I wish more than anything I could hear Alexander’s screams as Luca rips another finger from his hand. I slink into Luca’s seat, propping my knees up as I watch in glee. I’ve never been comfortable around any form of torture. But after enduring all that I did, I am glad for the show my husband is giving me. It doesn’t take long for me to mirror his smile, as I become more engrossed in Alexander’s death.

“Elise.”

I jolt awake at the sound of my name, shifting my attention to the hand on my shoulder. It’s Luca. I look back at the screen, but it’s gone dark, and when I look back at Luca, his expression shifts to concern.

“What are you doing in here?” he asks.

I pull in a deep breath. “I was looking for you,” I say.

Luca narrows his gaze slightly, but doesn’t push me as his attention shifts to the ring around my finger.

“You never came to bed,” I add.

“I had things to take care of,” he says, his touch shifting from my shoulder to my upper back as he coaxes me out of the chair. I find myself easily melting into his arms as I take in his familiar scent. His body covers mine with ease as he strokes my hair, placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.

“Hmm,” I smile into his chest as I think of the things he had to take care of.

“Is he dead?” I ask.

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