Page 56 of Deadly Vows

There’s a tight squeeze in my chest as I lose the chance to continue speaking to him. But I know I can’t push the small bit of luck I’ve been afforded.

“Well, thank you for letting me keep you company,” I say, standing.

“Of course, Mrs. Pasquino—”

“Elise. Please, call me Elise,” I say.

I hate how formal he is with me. As if there is still fear inside of him when it comes to uttering the Pasquino name. Maybe there is. I don’t know what Luca has exposed him to in the time he’s had him under his wing. Luca was quick on making me get used to this world when we got married.

“Okay…Elise,” he says.

He’s about to return to the flowers, but I stop him.

“How do you know Luca so well? You mention him a lot, and he’s never spoken about you,” I say, giving him the opportunity to tell me the truth—to confide in me. But he does the exact opposite. He retreats within himself, fearing my husband more.

“Mr. Pasquino showed up shortly after my dad died. He offered me a way out of the life I was resigned to. And I took it,” he says.

I cringe at the mention of our father, and I’m about to ask him about it when the voice we both fear sounds.

“Elise? I thought you were practicing today.” I tense when I feel Luca come up next to me. He slips his arm around my waist, pulling me in close as he places a kiss on my cheek.

Enzo has visibly paled, his eyes lowering as he submits to Luca’s presence.

“I was. I decided to take a break and noticed my favorite flowers were being planted,” I say, hoping to pull Luca’s attention.

But he isn’t looking at me. He’s watching Enzo with a stoic expression.

“I’m sure,” he says.

“I thought I made the rules very clear,” he adds.

I don’t know if he’s speaking to me or Enzo, but I step around him, feigning innocence as I try to spare my brother his wrath.

“You didn’t say the back was off limits. I was just looking at the flowers,” I say, making sure to add confusion to my tone.

Luca glares at Enzo for a few seconds longer before finally turning his attention to me. He smiles, and it sends a chill up my spine.

“I know you’ve been feeling down lately. I wanted to do something nice for you,” he says, steering me away from Enzo as he speaks.

I give him my best smile, praying he can’t read me. “Thank you.”

I twiddle my fingers, hoping to decrease Luca’s anger further.

“I didn’t get that kid in trouble, did I?” I ask.

Luca eyes me, and I swear he sees right through me. But he doesn’t show it.

“What did you two talk about?” he asks.

“Nothing, really. I asked him why they chose those flowers, and he said You did,” I say.

“Hm,” is all Luca gives me. But I can tell he’s trying to figure out whether he should believe me or not. I am thankful that he doesn’t press the issue, but I do note that he is making sure I leave the area my brother is in. I don’t know what has changed in his plans for my brother to be here doing yard work instead of hunting down our family, but I know it won’t be long before I find out.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Elise

My body feels good. Warmth spreads from between my legs, awakening the rest of my body as it settles over me. I release a soft moan, trying to shift in bed, when I feel hands gripping my thighs. I slowly open my eyes, and it’s pitch black in our bedroom, but I know instantly who has made himself comfortable between my legs.

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