Page 77 of Deadly Vows

It was an instinct I felt at the moment, but maybe he was right. I’ve remained here this entire week, afraid that he might not wake up. And I don’t know if it’s because he has become my protector or if somehow his twisted version of love has affected me. But I don’t want to think about it now. It’s much too complex, all of it. Especially now that all we truly have is one another. All of our immediate family is dead, including Arianna, who I watched my brother kill to prove himself.

Now, he is a Pasquino.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I murmur. “I was scared that—” I trail off, unsure of how to finish my sentence. But Luca takes it for what it is, laughing softly as he strokes my hair. He gently pullsaway from me, his gray gaze boring into mine as he reaches for my face. He gently strokes my cheek, smiling.

“Romelo told me you never left my side,” he says.

I pull in a deep breath, looking out the window. I note that it’s still dark out as I find the will to be vulnerable with Luca. In the past, Luca exploited all my vulnerabilities. It makes me hesitant to share with him how I’m feeling now, especially since I don’t know what kind of emotional effect it will have on him—If it will trigger him to treat me differently.

“I couldn’t, not after everything you’ve done to protect me and my brother. I owe you my life at least, Luca,” I say.

Luca makes a face.

“You are my wife, Elise. You don’t owe me anything. It is my job to protect you. And all that comes with it. I’ll never let anything happen to us,” he says.

His expression is serious as he looks at me.

“I love you,” he says.

This is the third time Luca has told me that he loves me, but I can’t reciprocate those feelings. Luca’s version of love is dangerous, and I’m sure that by staying by his side, I have intensified what he feels for me. His love is scary, but it is also what has kept me alive against my family and given my brother a future much different from what my father had planned.

A knock at the door pulls us both out of the moment as Romelo steps into the room.

“Boss. We’re ready.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Luca

I’ve been close to death only twice throughout my life. The first time was when Elise crashed my car and escaped. And the second was also thanks to Elise. Or rather, her cousin who planned to take out Enzo and me, regardless of what it would mean for her life. She was more admirable as an opponent than Eli. And just as ruthless, attempting to use Elise’s life to get what she wanted, exploiting their relationship for her own gain.

This time, with everything that has come with my almost death, new feelings have arisen within me.

The door to my office remains closed as I look at the pamphlet I swiped from the hospital. It has information to help me better understand how to reach my goal. Waking up with Elise by my side made me realize just how much of my family’s legacy would have been lost. I have no successor, and within a few months of my marriage, my father, who was not supposed to pass the torch to me for a while, was killed.

With the ruthlessness of the world changing and the lengths families will go to for power, it may be time to start thinking of my future. But it’s more than just the desire to extend my line. Elise actually showing that somewhere inside she cares for me has awakened something else within me—a desire to share more with her than just a life.

A knock sounds on the door, and I quickly put away the pamphlet as I call out for them to enter.

Nicolai and Enzo enter the room, and I smile, leaning back in my seat as they approach. Even though Enzo was shot, it hasn’t deterred him from wanting to remain a part of this life. He is as ruthless as his father, having not blinked at killing someone who was his blood relative. He proved his loyalty quickly, and I am glad for it for Elise’s sake.

She may not appreciate how we approached it, but I know it means something to her that he is alive.

“Glad to see you weren’t deterred by a bullet,” I say as he takes a seat. “You did well, kid,” I add.

He smiles, looking at his hands before looking back at me.

“So what now?” he asks.

I shift my attention to Nicolai. He hasn’t told him anything about what has transpired behind the scenes.

“Now, we have a new threat to extinguish. One that your dear cousin was able to contact before her death. One that would benefit from seeing the Pasquino empire demolished,” I say.

Corruption runs rampant within this country’s government. I don’t mind; it’s how I’ve been able to create such a lucrative business and establish our name on the front and back channels. But now, she has opened the door for a corrupt official to replace us now that they think we are vulnerable enough. And we have to put a stop to it before they start picking us off one by one, starting with me.

“And what do you need from me?” Enzo says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I study him for a moment before a laugh escapes me.

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