Page 58 of Deadly Vows

We both jump as a door slams, and rushed footsteps round the corner. Romelo enters the room, a panicked look on his usually stoic features.

“We have a problem,” he says.

Luca barely gives him a chance to respond as he pulls him through the back door, closing it behind them. I shift so that I can see them better through the glass. Luca’s expression shifts to irritation the longer he listens. He crosses his arms over his chest, saying something to Romelo, his expression growing more murderous by the second. As Romelo responds, Luca loses his last shred of control.

He moves out of my line of sight, but I know exactly where he is going. He’s going for Enzo.

“Shit!” I hiss to myself.

I run to the living room, snatching the first book I can find as I come up with a shitty plan before making my way back to the back of the house. I pull open the back door with the “intention” of reading a book by the pool today, hoping to interrupt Luca with whatever he’s doing, but instead, I come face to face with Luca.

I crash right into him, dropping the book.

“I—I’m sorry,” I say hastily.

Luca doesn’t respond. He watches me momentarily before slowly lowering himself to pick up the book. He releases a soft laugh as he rises, handing it off to me, his eyes barely clinging to sanity.

“I have to leave to take care of something,” he says, handing me the book.

I slowly take it from him, my fingers shaking as I grip it.

“Okay,” I whisper.

Luca pulls me into him, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. He starts walking away, pausing as he remembers something.

“Don’t bother the kid.”

I nod once again, showing him that I understand. He brushes past me, making his way into the house. I wait a few seconds, following him, but by the time I reach the front door, Luca is already speeding out of the driveway. I release a breath, staring at his departure.

Something involving Enzo has happened, and Luca is not happy about it.

As I come down from the morning’s excitement, it takes me a moment to realize how anxious I am. So, I go back to the kitchen with the intention of pouring myself a glass of water. I notice movement in the yard, my eyes widening when I see Enzo.

His back is to me as he works, but he turns his head slightly to hastily wipe his eyes. My chest squeezes at the sight. And I can no longer fight my curiosity about what has happened. I grab a water bottle from the fridge, ignoring the fear in my stomach as I blatantly ignore Luca’s command.

As I pull open the door, I am met by Romelo. He turns to face me, his emotionless expression unnerving.

“Can I help you, Mrs. Pasquino?” he asks.

I bite the inside of my cheek. Luca knows. He knows that I know. And he wants me nowhere near my brother, especially now. And he won’t risk me being home alone with him.

“I was just giving him some water,” I say, holding out the bottle.

Romelo takes it from me, eyeing me carefully.

“I’m sure he will appreciate it,” he says.

Disappointment hits me at my lack of power in my home. I shift my attention to Enzo one last time, my chest squeezing. I don’t know what’s going to happen to him. But Luca has ensured I remain far from it.

I release a breath, shifting my attention to Romelo.

“I’m sure he will,” I say.

Being married to Luca has presented me with a level of anxiety I never thought possible. He has yet to return home. The sun has begun its descent, and I am all alone in the estate with Luca’s men to keep me company as they make sure I don’t have contact with my brother. This isn’t the first time Luca has abruptly left without telling me what’s happening. But with everything going on between our families and my brother’s sudden appearance, the more Luca leaves, the more nervous I become.

By the time Luca comes back, I am seconds from falling asleep on the couch, and the sun has disappeared entirely, casting our home in darkness other than the glow of the TV. I hear his slow, deliberate footsteps as he comes to find me, and I pull in a deep breath as he enters the living room, standing from the couch to greet him. But my words hitch in my throat as I take in his drenched form.

I furrow my brow in confusion. It’s hard to tell what he’s soaked in since most of the lights are off in the house, and the only illumination comes from the TV. But he remains where he is, watching me with an eerie expression as I slowly approach.

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