Page 4 of Deadly Vows

“Elise, go back to the party.” His tone leaves no room for argument. But I know I couldn’t live with myself if I did that, leaving her at his mercy.

“I—” I’m immediately cut off as Luca glares at me.

He’s clearly a man who is never questioned. His irritation at my persistence, even if it is minuscule, is prominent. But I cannot hold his gaze for a moment longer. And my instincts won’t let me speak out either. So, I stand before him, lowering my eyes until I am staring at the ground, silently begging for his mercy.

After a moment, he releases a huff of irritation, putting his weapon away. He kneels so that he is at eye level with the woman. He grips her cheeks roughly, lifting her face to force her eyes to meet his.

“Come near me or my wife again, and I will kill you.” She cries out as he roughly shoves her away, standing to return to the party. He snatches me by the arm, pulling me up the hall and I struggle to keep up with him. I open my mouth to say something but I’m cut off as he throws me into the wall.

“Agh!” I cry out.

Luca is inches from my face, his whole body radiating the sadistic nature he’s so carefully hidden up until now. His eyes roam over my face, focusing on my lips as he speaks, his finger gently brushing against my jawbone.

“Interfere with my affairs again, and I will break your pretty little jaw. Understand?” His steel-colored gaze pins me to the spot as he awaits my response. I can’t form one. My words are stuck in my throat and he knows it. He smiles a chilling smile, welcoming a newfound fear of the man I’m set to marry. He then shifts slightly, holding his arm out for me.

“Shall we?”

Chapter Two

Elise

My father keeps a photo of my parents’ wedding day in the living room. It’s a large photograph that sits over the fireplace. My mother looks stunning in it, and my father looks confident. I could never shake the haunted look in my mother’s eyes. She doesn’t have a smile on her lips like brides usually do on their wedding days. As I look at myself in the mirror, I finally recognize the emotion she wore on her face that day.

It was fear.

My dress is long and sleek, clinging to my body in all the right places with a train that drags at least six feet behind me. My hair has been pulled into an intricate updo with loose curls tickling either side of my face, and a large diamond necklace courtesy of my husband to accent the gown and my ring. It all looks so beautiful and perfect.Ilook beautiful. But on the inside, I am screaming. This isn’t what I wanted. This isn’t what I dreamed about. No part of my wedding did I even choose. It was all chosen for me, as was my life.

I tense as the bells above the church ring, signifying the time.

My vision blurs slightly as tears form in my eyes. But I can’t let them fall. To cry is to smear not only my father’s name but my family’s. This is my family’s salvation. Marrying into the Pasquino family is their golden ticket. They will now have more opportunities and better protection, and they will be known among the territories. My family will be untouchable from today onward. But not me. After today, I am his. I am the sacrifice for their gain.

A light knock sounds at the door before it is opened. My aunt stands in the doorway, a scowl on her face as she looks me up and down.

“It’s time,” she says.

As we make our way through the halls, I can’t help but feel emptiness inside. Being born into this world is a lonely existence. I could never have friends outside of my family. I don’t even have bridesmaids to accompany me down the aisle. I’ve only ever had my family; my family that willingly sold me to the highest bidder.

Luca has plagued my nightmares all week. His words were so out of place, and yet he sounded natural in saying them to me. He won’t hesitate to put me in my place. He is a man who expects obedience.

The depressing chords of the organ slowly echo into the hall as we approach the chapel. It does nothing to drown out the heavy throb of my heart. And seeing my father waiting for me, his expression unchanged as he takes me in, makes my heart sink even further. He holds his arm out for me, and I place my hand in the crook of his elbow as we turn to face the aisle that will forever change my life.

“You’re doing us proud,” he says.

My breath catches in my throat. In all my life, my father has never expressed how he feels. And now, on the day he givesme away to a man we both know is not to be trusted, he speaks of the pride of the family over my feelings. He hasn’t expressed concern about this drastic change the entirety of the engagement. He hasn’t spoken with me about what to expect, nor has he expressed empathy over the situation. He is happy to trade me for power.

Before I can fully digest my feelings, the music beyond the doors changes as they fly open. The music spills into the hall, washing over me as my eyes focus upon my groom. Luca stands at the head of the church with his hands crossed in front of him. He looks devilishly handsome, his dark hair pushed away from his face. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored tux, and he has a grin on his lips as he takes me in. If I weren’t so bogged down by my own fears, I might’ve been able to appreciate my husband’s good looks.

He holds his hand out to me, the gesture meaning more than what it seems on the outside. My father passes me off, placing my hand in Luca’s, ridding himself of me once and for all. I notice the warmth of Luca’s hand as he holds me, his piercing gaze studying me intensely as the priest begins his sermon. I can’t focus on the words he’s saying, not while Luca watches me like a wild animal. His gaze never falters, not even when I repeat my vows.

His interest in me is that of a new shiny toy that he can’t wait to play with. Or rather, see how rough he can be with it before it breaks. He may be smiling now, but I remember this same smile at our engagement party when he threatened to break my jaw. I remember the cruel grin when he was seconds from blowing that woman’s brains out.

Silence falls over the church as the priest repeats his question to me, asking if I am willing to love this man for better or for worse. I don’t know him well enough to answer that truthfully.And I pray that God can see into my heart as I utter the lie before both of our families.

“I do.”

And with those words, we are joined as one. Luca pulls me into him, his hand pressing against the small of my back as he leans into me, placing his lips over mine. His kiss is possessive as he claims me in front of everyone we know.

The reception is one fit for royalty. The top floor of the hotel has been closed off for our wedding. The glass walls and ceilings are covered in a plethora of flowers, with a large fountain in the center and a crystal chandelier. I don’t know how they had time, but there’s a large portrait of Luca and me from a few days ago at our engagement party hanging overhead. It’s a grand celebration that I wish I could enjoy more.

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