Page 116 of Deadly Vows

Chapter Forty-Nine

Luca

Dropping out of civilization is always a dangerous plan. While it takes us out of the eye of our enemies, it opens us up individually since we have no backup. And I have been growing anxious over the past few days as I wait for the moment we are to strike.

It’s always dangerous to go after a government entity. We are lucky in this instance, however. These are rogue agents who are acting out of loyalty to people who were clawing their way to power. No one will miss them when they are gone. In fact, they will likely help with the cover-up to keep out of the public eye how deep the corruption goes.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when I hear the glass door opening. Elise and Enzo step into the backyard, smiling as they converse. I shift my attention to Elise. Things between us have settled for the most part. It’s like the situation with Alexander forced us into a reset. She’s even gone as far as asking about my past. If not for the circumstances of us being here, it would feel almost normal.

I hate that I have to leave her. I hate that there’s a possibility that I won’t be coming back from this. But I can’t tell her that. Not when she’s still having nightmares and holding cryptic conversations about her future with me.

I look away from her to the blueprints supplied by my newest man, Wyatt. I’ve been coming up with a plan to take these agents out so that when we get into contact again, it will be to relay the information and meet up. It’s given me little time to spend with Elise. But once this is all over and things go back to normal, I will be able to spend all the time I like with her. I will be able to focus on more than just protecting my family. I can focus on building it.

I laugh to myself as the thought crosses my mind. I never thought I would grow to feel this way about Elise. I was angry with my father for arranging this marriage and resentful of her existence. The resentment grew when I discovered her father’s betrayal, but hearing him say the things he did to her in his final moments, watching her scream and cry as she realized she was alone in this world, made me feel something for her I never thought I was capable of feeling.

Pity.

I wanted to be her protector from that moment on. And I always will be. It is my driving motivator at this moment. I can’t imagine anything happening to her because I let my guard down. That’s already happened once; now she’s teetering on the edge of sanity. I won’t let it happen again. I won’t let her become like either of our mothers. That part of history repeating itself will stop with me.

My attention shifts back to the blueprints. To ensure that happens, this will require all of my focus. I can’t let anything distract me, not even the sight of my wife looking happy for once.

When I finally emerge from my office, the sun has set. The house is quiet, and I find Enzo in the living room, reading a book. He looks up when he hears me, standing.

I motion for him to take a seat, sitting in the chair adjacent to him.

“How is she settling?” I ask.

He thinks for a moment, closing the book.

“She’s good. I think the fresh air and quiet are good for her,” he says.

I nod.

“I’ll be leaving in a few days. And I don’t know if I’ll be back. My bringing you into my family was ill-intended at first. But I see how much you and Elise care for one another. If I don’t come back, I’m trusting you to take care of her. There is a file on my computer that she will have access to that will tell her everything she needs to know. Show it to her if I don’t return,” I say.

Enzo’s eyes widen as he sets the book down.

“Can you not take me with you? I can be a big help, I know I can—”

I shake my head.

“This, being here, is more important. I’m trusting you with her life, Enzo,” I say. “Do what your father failed to do—to protect his blood.”

He nods slowly, lowering his eyes as he finds the strength to speak.

“In case you don’t come back…Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, regardless of who my father was. I would probably be dead in the gutter by now if you hadn’t stepped in. And now, I have more love in my life than I ever did before. So thank you,” he says.

I laugh, standing. He and Elise are so similar. Eli would be livid to see how gentle his son turned out. And how much he loves the sister who was supposed to die for his reign.

“You’re family, Enzo. We protect our own,” I say.

Enzo nods, and I make my way out of the living room in search of Elise. Tomorrow, I will contact Romelo and Nicolai again. And from there, the plan will be put into motion. We’ll have a small window to get together and execute it before eyes are on us again. And when that moment comes, I will have to leave her, possibly forever. So tonight, I’m going to enjoy my wife, as if nothing is going to tear us apart.

As I reach the top of the stairs, I call to her.

“Elise?” I call out.

I make my way into the bedroom when there is no response, and I note that the bathroom door is cracked. I open my mouth, about to call to her again, when I hear a soft melody coming from the bathroom.

---