Page 111 of Deadly Vows

“My father wanted me dead. You have always stood in the way of that happening. You are not like him. Not by a mile,” she says.

“Hm,” I smile.

“If we had children…do you think I would see them grow?” she asks.

“Why would you say that? Of course you would,” I say.

Elise laughs, and it is barely attached to reality.

“Women are nothing but bartering chips in this world. If someone thought they needed to get you to bend a knee, they’d come for me. Just like they did with my mother and yours,” she says.

“Elise—”

“I almost died, Luca. I was sold like a piece of meat to men who wanted to destroy me, because that was the only way they could make you hurt. Our marriage was nothing but a transaction. It was my father’s way of making use of me, and it was meant to cost me my life—”

“Stop talking like that. I told you I would protect you, didn’t I? I told you, you are mine,” I say, pulling away.

Elise turns to look at me, her eyes searching my face.

“I know you’ll do everything in your power to protect me. But sometimes it’s going to be out of your power, and there will be nothing you can do about it.”

I can’t form a response. My eyes burn as I come to understand the expression on her face. It’s hopelessness. She’s given up. And I hate how right she is. Women who marry into families don’tlive very long. It happened with her mother, and it happened with mine. And it’s almost happened to her multiple times.

She smiles at me, a laugh escaping her lips as she reaches for my face, wiping a stray tear.

“The big, scary Luca Pasquino does have a heart,” she says.

As she pulls her hand away, I grab it in mine.

“As long as it’s beating, nothing will happen to you, Elise. I will protect you with every breath I have in my body. You are my everything. Haven’t I proven that already?” I ask.

Her eyes widen as I speak. But before she can respond, her gaze shifts past me to the approaching company.

“Boss. It’s time,” Romelo says.

I slowly release Elise’s hand, standing, and she rises with me.

“Where are you going?” she asks. I note the tremble in her voice. It’s another effect of her capture. She doesn’t like being alone. And lately, that’s all I’ve been doing. I only came out here to let her know that I would be gone for a while.

I smile, pressing a kiss to her lips.

“To do what I promised,” I say.

I turn just in time to catch Nicolai joining us with my newest man. And his dog. I hear Elise gasp behind me as they approach, and I pull her with me.

“You’re okay,” she says, stepping past me to smile at Wyatt. I have to force myself to remember that she is only being polite. And that this man saved her life.

“Of course. Your husband has been very generous,” he says with a reluctant grin. “And I am more than happy to do what I can to help,” he adds.

“Boss, it’s now or never.” Romelo reiterates behind us.

I nod, shifting my attention back to Elise, who clearly doesn’t want me to leave, but doesn’t want to say it out loud.

“I’ll be back, I swear,” I say, pulling her in for a kiss.

“Nicolai and Enzo will be here to keep you safe—”

Before I can finish my sentence, the dog who was in the mountains with them comes barreling into the backyard.

---