Page 38 of Deadly Vows

And that love turned me into a killer.

That love drove me to do what I needed to ensure his reign over our family. Everything I’ve ever done in my life is because my father told me to do it. And because I loved him, I followed every single one of his orders without hesitation. It became my form of normal. It became my way of showing my love. I lived to please him. I lived to keep my family strong.

I told myself that once Elise and I were married, she would be a part of my family. But that vision was dreamt up by someone who was weakened by what I thought was love. Elise shatteredthat foolish dream, leaving her in a state of limbo in my mind. And now, I don’t know what to do with her.

I’m at war with myself.

I silently study the screen, giving me a full view of Elise’s shivering form in the room. I never thought I would see my wife in that room. It’s a room I’ve tortured and killed in. It was never meant for Elise in any capacity, not even when I discovered the truth about her family’s role in my father’s death. Anyone else would have killed her, not only for being related to them, but for her attempt on my life when she escaped. She doesn’t seem to understand the world she lives in or the man she’s married to. Her father kept her much too sheltered, even if his intentions were fucked. And now, revealing everything that I have seems to have broken her more than I thought possible.

I release an irritated breath as I slightly raise the temperature in the room.

Elise was seconds from being taken away and slaughtered by her own family before I arrived at that diner. Her cousin had already located her, and I am confident she was going to use her as leverage against me for the life of Enzo Trovoli. It was pure luck that Elise walked away from that table instead of leaving with her cousin. She’s too naive when it comes to everyone around her. Too kind—too soft. She’s nothing like the bloodline she came from. She’s different.

Which makes it difficult for me to move forward with my plans. Everything I do from this moment on will directly negatively affect her. And that is enough reason for me to hesitate, even though I shouldn’t. There’s no question that she deserves whatever comes from her family’s deceit— a family who didn’t care enough about her to at least spare her life in all of this. They planned to sacrifice her. They deserve whatever is coming, regardless of how Elise sees it.

I silently focus on Elise once again. Her sobs have quieted down, her breathing slowing as she falls asleep. For weeks, I came up with so many different ways I was going to torture her for what she did. But seeing her face in that room, watching her shiver as I only started the first part of my torture, I couldn’t go through with it. Once again, I find myself warring with her fate. Elise has never known the love that my father and I shared. Her father despised her from the moment she was born. Not only is she aware of that, but I not so gently reminded her of that when going through my grief. The hurt in her features was…heartbreaking.

Many women have looked at me with that look: heartbreak, sorrow, sadness. I have never been fazed by it until Elise.

My phone vibrates, pulling my attention. It’s a text from Romelo.

“She’s agreed to the terms. We’re heading to the airport now.”

I smile. I knew she would. People like her are the easiest to read. They are what’s wrong with the world; their greed outweighs their love for those who should matter. She and Eli deserved one another. Neither of them deserved the children in their lives.

I focus on the screen as Elise bundles herself up on the cot. I already know I’m making a mistake in doing this, especially in keeping her alive. But what can I say? Love makes you do strange things.

“How is he?” I ask as I enter my old penthouse. Enzo Trovoli’s mother gave him up without so much as a fight when tempted with enough money. The entire Trovoli family was looking forthis kid to finish what his father started, and she sold him to the highest bidder for a measly five million, jeopardizing everything Eli Trovoli sacrificed for.

Romelo turns his attention to the young kid inspecting the place as he speaks.

“Fine, all things considered. He’s barely spoken since the club,” he says.

I release a chuckle as I study Enzo Trovoli. He’s a good-looking kid, but too skinny for his age. He’s underfed, I note as I study him, and his clothing fits him unflatteringly. His clothes are also old and dingy. You would think his mother would at least take better care of her meal ticket.

“Like it?” I call out as I enter the living room.

Enzo looks up in shock, his wide eyes clouding with fear as he looks at me. I left our initial meeting abruptly, seeing as Elise was found in the midst of it, leaving him with Romelo until now. As I study him, I’m sure Romelo’s presence was anything but comforting. Enzo looks at me in terror, probably thinking I’m here to finish the job in person. Hell, I probably should. As long as he’s breathing, Elise’s life is in danger.

I raise a brow when he doesn’t respond, and he finally finds the courage to speak.

“Yes,” he murmurs.

I ignore the irritation I get from his lack of confidence. I don’t know how Eli ever thought he could take over for him. I can see just by being around him this time and last that he is too soft. This is why you mold your kids when they’re young. So they eat, sleep, and breathe this lifestyle, not blinking when it becomes too gruesome. And not cower in fear at the presence of someone who is a threat, breaking within seconds of meeting him.

I shift my attention to the window that overlooks the city. I do miss this view.

“I had to vacate when I got married. It’s a nice place, but not somewhere to raise a family...especially mine,” I say as I continue to look out the window.

I shift my attention to Enzo laughing. “Relax. You’re safer now than you were with your mother,” I say.

His eyes widen, and he visibly relaxes but doesn’t react to my comment about his mother. I make a mental note to keep an eye on that. I silently go to the bar, forcing myself to remain unbothered by his presence.

He represents everything I hate and love at the same time. He is the reason my father was killed—why Eli and his family felt so emboldened to go against the Pasquinos. Elise has no idea how many attempts were made on our lives between our wedding and my getting my hands on her father. But I also know if Elise were here, even though she’s never met this kid and his life means the end of hers, she would still throw herself in front of a bullet to protect him.

I quietly pour myself a drink when Enzo decides to voice his thoughts.

“Then…why did you bring me here?” he asks.

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