Page 70 of Deadly Vows

“I don’t understand. Why did you help me? Why did you advocate for my life? I’m a threat to yours,” he says.

“Because you’re like me. Thrown into this against your will as a pawn on the chessboard. Except on the other side, you would have had no chance at surviving,” I say.

“But I’m the reason for all of the problems in your life. There has to be hate for me somewhere in your heart,” he says in confusion.

I can’t help but smile at his innocence. At least part of him is still childlike and naive.

“You’re the only family I have left. Our family sent me away to my death. All I want now is for you to be protected,” I say.

And though I’ve been resentful of him and his ways, I know Luca is the only one who can help me do that.

Enzo shakes his head.

“No, you’re the one who needs to be protected. I swear, once I prove myself, I will never stop protecting you,” he says.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Enzo. I married a powerful man. He is the reason I am alive today. If you ever want to take a different road, though, tell me. I can talk to him,” I say.

But I know my words are useless as Enzo shakes his head. He’s already had a taste of blood. And he is much less maturementally than Luca. Now, the only road for him leads to avenging his mother.

“I’ve never had a purpose in my life. My mother always talked about it, but it never seemed real. Especially since I saw my—our father so rarely. But Mr. Pasquino has given me more than that. And I only want to repay him—both of you for your kindness, even though I am the root of your troubles,” he says.

I shake my head.

“Enzo—”

“What’s this?” We both turn to see Luca stepping out onto the patio.

His expression is blank as he looks at both of us—the two Trovolis he’s allowed in his home. And even as he crosses the patio to place a kiss on my forehead, I sense the disdain coming from him. Ever since our fight in the car, he’s been distant. My words have pushed him further away than I thought possible, but for some reason, he still is holding fast to his role as my protector.

“Hi,” I say softly, and I don’t miss the sound of Enzo greeting him as his Capo.

“Catching up, are we?” Luca asks as his hand drifts to my shoulder.

“Yes,” I say. But Enzo remains silent. He fears Luca in a way I haven’t seen before.

“You’d be real proud of your brother, Elise. All the work he’s put in to prevent what happened to his mother from happening to you. He’s a symbol of dedication,” Luca says.

He’s toying with me, baiting me into talking to my brother the way I did to him. But he knows I won’t. In his eyes, I am biased. Hell, maybe I am. But I’ve seen sides to Luca that existed long before my family revealed their intentions.

“Nicolai just pulled up. He’s waiting for you,” Luca says to Enzo.

Enzo nods, not bothering to say goodbye, as he follows Luca’s orders without a conscience. And as soon as he leaves us alone, Luca turns his full attention to me.

“What? Are you not going to reprimand your brother for his actions? Not going to talk him out of avenging his mother like you’ve tried with me?” he asks.

I quickly shove away from Luca, but he catches my wrist, pulling me flush against him.

“Don’t forget that you should both be dead. Your lives come with my protection,” he growls. I snatch my wrist from his grip, narrowing my gaze.

“How could I forget?” I ask.

Silence passes between us as we glare at one another, but Luca suddenly smiles, his demeanor shifting.

“You know what I realized over these days? I love you…so much. You would not believe the favors I’ve turned down now that everyone knows where Eli’s heir has ended up. But you, who openly loathes everything that I am, ask me to keep him alive for nothing in return. And I bend to your will,” Luca snaps his finger for emphasis, “Like that.”

Once again, silence passes between us. But Luca doesn’t seem to mind. I see the gears spinning in his head.

“I was planning on taking your brother out to celebrate his coming of age. Why don’t you join us?”

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