Page 118 of Deadly Vows

Just as I hang up, I notice Elise standing in the doorway. She’s watching me hesitantly, as if she were caught doing something she shouldn’t be. And I am sure it has something to do with our conversation.

“You’re leaving,” she says. Her tone indicates it isn’t a question. But I nod anyway, standing.

“It’s time. You and Enzo will be safe here. No one knows about this place. Not even Romelo or Nicolai,” I say.

Elise looks out the window, gathering her thoughts before speaking again.

“So…you might not be coming back?” she asks.

I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms as I answer.

“I’ll come back, Elise,” I say.

Her eyes search my face, and I can see that she is fighting tears. It’s a bitter irony that she feels this way now. All this time we wasted going against one another when this could have been our reality from the beginning. But we hated each other in the beginning without knowing who our real enemies were. Their showing their faces has forced us to see that all we truly have is one another. And just when we’ve grown comfortable with that information, the possibility of us being separated forever looms.

I lower my hand to the hem of her shirt, slowly lifting it to find my name etched into her flesh. I trace it lightly, my mind flashing to that day. So much has changed since then. Especially now that she stands before me with tears in her eyes at the possibility of my death. I can count on my fingers the many times she tried to kill me herself. It’s like I said, it’s ironic.

I place my hand against her jaw, pulling her in for a kiss. Her lips are soft against mine, her body flush against me. I reach around her waist, my tongue tracing her bottom lip as I deepen the kiss. When I finally pull away, her breathing is deep, and tears roll down her cheeks.

I laugh, using my thumb to wipe her tears away, before running it along her bottom lip.

“How did I ever get so lucky?” I murmur.

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth before pulling me into a tight embrace.

“You have to come back,” she murmurs.

I don’t fight the shock on my face as she squeezes me. My arms slowly wrap around her, holding her tight as I lower my cheek to the top of her head, enjoying her warmth for as long as possible.

“I will. I swear.”

Chapter Fifty

Luca

Two Days Later

From the moment I was old enough to walk, my father began training me to be a killer. He trained me to read people in an instant, to manipulate situations and people to do what I wanted. He made sure I knew the inner workings of this world and how to survive it. He taught me to be cold and precise because he knew the dangers that come with being the head.

As we make our way to the headquarters of this “special” division, I don’t feel fear. I feel excitement. People are going to die today. And they are going to die by my hand. I will see the pain and the fear in their eyes, and I will smile as I send them into the next life. Today, Nicolai, Romelo, and I will make history. And the world will never even know it happened.

The plan is foolproof. We’ve gone over it, done run-throughs, and played out the worst-case scenarios. We are all ready to die for the family—die for the Pasquino legacy. Because if we fail, no one will be safe. And our reign will end with me—Eli Trovoli getting what he wanted from beyond the grave, as his selfish actions put all of this into motion.

I close my eyes for a moment, envisioning Elise. Her green eyes and dark hair always stood out to me. How her father could sacrifice her in the way he attempted to is beyond me. I could never do something so irredeemable. If I fail, not only will my family perish, but so will Elise.

“Boss.” I open my eyes as Romelo’s voice cuts through my thoughts. He and Nicolai are in the front seat, looking at me. And I shift my attention beyond them to the thick greenery we must trek through to reach the tunnels.

Adrenaline courses through me as I get out of the car. Somehow, everything feels and looks much more vivid. The monster lurking inside of me claws at the surface, desperate to be let out—to wreak havoc. This is who my father trained me to be.

I look at Nicolai on my left, then Romelo on my right, both of them nodding to signify they are ready.

I smile in anticipation of the carnage to be left behind this night. As I take my first steps toward destruction, Nicolai and Romelo follow close behind.

This is going to be fucking fun.

The scent of blood, sweat, and urine permeates the air. It was almost too easy to sneak in. And the torture has become a walk in the park, the longer it stretches out, especially with the five agents who are currently dead.

For the past few months, my life has revolved around Elise. Her kidnapping and getting her back have taken up all of my time. I’ve rarely been able to do things on my own. This moment is a breath of fresh air for me. It reminds me of who I am beyond being the head of the family.

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