Page 45 of Deadly Vows

“You say you know about Eli. But did you know about Lorenzo? Did you know your wife used your contacts to make his death possible?” I ask, stepping back.

“I…”

I silently pull my gun from its hidden place under my jacket, handing it to Enzo.

“Right now, the Trovolis are a threat to me and my wife. And you are going to help me eradicate them,” I say.

William looks up, his body tense as he stares past the barrel of the gun, his eyes meeting mine.

“What do you mean, eradicate?” he asks.

“Dead. Every. Last. One,” I say.

William composes himself, his fists clenching as he glares at me.

“And why would I do that?” he says.

I shrug. “Because it’ll prove entertaining for me. And if you don’t, I have no use for you,” I say.

He releases a bitter chuckle, further pushing my irritation.

“And what about your wife? I seem to recall she is a Trovoli as well,” he says with a smug grin. I narrow my gaze but don’t react, and William laughs as Enzo tenses, using the opportunity to twist the knife.

“Oh? Did he not tell you why his vendetta against the Trovolis was so deep? How his wife had a hand in killing her own flesh and blood—”

“Shoot him,” I say.

Enzo’s eyes widen, and he looks at me in a panic.

William laughs. “He won’t shoot me. I’m not his enemy. You are. You are the reason his life has been turned upside down. The moment you pull that trigger, security will—”

“I said, shoot him,” I say, staring at Enzo.

His breathing comes out in pants as his adrenaline spikes. I note that his hand is trembling as he aims at William. I shift my attention to his face, watching him carefully as he struggles with following my order.

“Looks like I struck a nerve. Why don’t you put that weapon away, and we can discuss how you can help your family—Argh!”

The gun suddenly goes off, hitting William square in the shoulder. He clutches it in a panic as blood soaks his suit, his eyes watching both of us.

“What the fuck!” he screams.

I laugh, pulling the gun from Enzo’s trembling grip.

“Your wife has lost. The Trovolis have nothing now but the skin on their backs. It is better if I don’t have to hunt them down individually,” I say.

I make my way to the door with Enzo in tow as I speak.

“Call me when you figure out which side you’re on. We can talk about a way you get out of this alive,” I say as I open the door. The hallway is empty, with no security waiting, and Enzo notices.

“H-how—ah!” he cries out as I shove him against the wall, letting my anger show.

“When I tell you to do something, I expect it done the first time,” I growl before releasing him. He coughs, sucking in breaths as he slides to the floor, looking at me with wide eyes.

“I bought the building a week ago. Everything, including the security, is mine,” I say, kneeling to where he slouches against the wall. I enjoy the terror behind his eyes as he realizes what I meant earlier about our purpose in being here.

“Thatis what the meaning oftruepower is. You’d better learn quickly. I only have so much patience, even if you are important to my wife.”

Chapter Twenty-One

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