Page 46 of Deadly Vows

Elise

My husband is a dangerous man who no one ever questions. He is so rarely questioned that it catches him off guard if someone makes that mistake. And not in the sense that he doesn’t understand the question. It is in the sense that he doesn’t understandwhysomeone is asking. And that person instantly becomes a target.

And yet, here I am. Standing in the foyer of our home, awaiting his late return for the second week in a row. I know he’s been busy. And I know it involves my family, but I no longer want to remain in the dark. He never thinks before he speaks, and his words to me in the tub have tormented me over the past few days. No one in my life has ever taken me seriously, especially my father. And while Luca may see me as a “challenge” because of what I did, he still doesn’t respect me as an equal. He’s doing the same as my father, keeping me in the dark.

Except with Luca, it’s trust that fuels his decision.

I tense when the lights from his car filter into the foyer as he pulls into the circle drive. As I hear the sound of his door opening, followed by his voice speaking to someone, I can’t help the slight tinge of fear I have for making the decision to do this. But even in this elaborately built house, I still feel like a prisoner. As long as Luca sees me as his conniving wife, I’ll never be anything but.

The door opens, and Luca enters, his usually lax features contorted in irritation as he berates someone on the other end of his phone call. His eyes drift over the foyer, finding instantly, and to my shock, his features soften as a smile forms on his lips.

“I’ll call you back,” he says, his eyes remaining on me.

He hangs up the phone, placing it in his pocket as he approaches.

“This is a nice surprise…,” he says as he pulls me into him.

His scent filters over my senses, making it difficult to hold fast to my plans as he stands over me. His eyes drift over my face, his smile deepening as he reads my body language and instantly knows I want something.

“And what can I help you with tonight, my duplicitous wife? I am sure you aren’t standing here wide-eyed and trembling just to welcome me home,” he chuckles, releasing me.

He moves past me, making his way out of the foyer and as I follow him, my stomach dips as we head toward his office. I hate his office. Ever since he showed me his true colors in it, I know it is a place filled with death and torture. But he steps aside, welcoming me in first while waiting for me to voice my intentions.

“I want to know what you’ve been up to lately,” I say softly.

I almost slap myself for the way my voice comes out. But Luca doesn’t seem to mind it as he closes the door behind us, moving ahead of me to sit behind his desk. His gray eyes follow my every movement until I am seated before him, and he finally speaks.

“Why would I tell you that?” he asks.

“Because I know it has to do with my family…and I know it’s because of my father,” I say.

Luca laughs again, shaking his head. “They are not your family any longer.”

“I know. But I still want to know what will happen to them,” I say.

Luca studies me, his empty expression hiding his thoughts as he does.

“They’re going to die,” he says finally.

Nausea twists in my stomach as I take in his words. I knew it at the back of my mind, but hearing him say it out loud and confirm it feels entirely different. I feel Luca’s eyes on me as he watches my reaction. He’s obviously testing my loyalty, and if I meant it when I said they are no longer my family.

I use the moment to take in a deep breath, calming myself before speaking again.

“And my brother?” I ask.

Luca scoffs. “You mean the half-sibling who is the reason behind your attempted assassinations and your family casting you out?” he asks.

I pull in a deep breath, forcing myself to look him in the eyes as I push down my fears.

“Yes,” I say more firmly than I’ve spoken this entire time.

Luca notices and smiles, leaning forward to place his arms on his desk as he silently accepts my challenge.

“He’s going to help. And if he can’t, he’ll die alongside them,” he says.

“What?” I ask.

“Have you…completely lost your mind?” I say, standing.

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