Page 8 of Deadly Vows

I gasp softly as Luca’s voice penetrates my thoughts. I didn’t notice him in the reflection. His expression is unreadable as he adjusts the cuffs of his suit, his eyes studying me like they always do. He watches me, getting to know my routines, my habits, and my reactions. He’s getting to know me in the same ways he gets to know his enemies, waiting to use whatever information he has against me. I plaster on a smile in a pathetic attempt to show him I am not rattled by his presence or his mysterious gaze.

“I was just thinking about becoming more involved. I want to learn the business and more about the family that I’ve married into,” I say softly. Luca scoffs, making his way to where I’m seated. He seems amused by what I said as he stands over me to interrogate me further on my decision. He also doesn’t seem thrilled with the idea, his gaze slightly narrowing as he studies me in the reflection.

“Oh?” Silence fills the bathroom. With one word, he’s completely cut off my confidence.

I slowly nod. “It doesn’t have to be anything big. Maybe I could start with secretarial work or something,” I say softly. Luca’s glare dampens my desire the longer he remains over me.

“You don’t have to work, Elise. You’re my wife. It isn’t your place to be in my business,” he says.

“I know I don’t have to, I just wanted to be more proactive than I was with my father,” I say.

Luca places his hands on my arms, rubbing gently as he speaks. His eyes remain lined to mine in the mirror.

“You have only been a Pasquino for a week. Don’t overstep. One might think you were up to something.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond as he places a kiss on top of my head, leaving the room without so much as a backward glance.

Chapter Four

Elise

As usual, my day is spent practicing. It’s the only thing I could bring from my old life to this new one. It’s also something that Luca admires about me. He admires it so much that he had a practice room placed in our home. It was one of the many renovations he had done, but only one of the few he has told me about. So I can hear nothing beyond these doors, and whoever is on the outside can hear nothing within. I let the melody pour from my fingers as I play the music on the stand, losing myself in thought.

Luca doesn’t trust me. But there’s more to his distrust than me being a new presence in his life. It stems from my family name. I always knew other families looked down on ours. My father has not only made a name for himself as a man who wants power but has none, but nasty rumors surrounding the lengths he has gone to get it have tainted our name. Once again, it makes me wonder why Luca agreed to this marriage when he obviously has a distaste for my family name.

“Mrs. Pasquino.”

I tense, almost dropping my instrument at the sound of a voice entering my sanctuary. I turn to face the owner of the new voice to see a man I recognize. He was with Luca the weekend of our wedding. He told Luca about the woman who showed up to crash the engagement party. His eyes remind me of the clearest sky, holding a disturbing look behind them as he watches me.

“Your husband is asking for you,” he says.

I hide my confusion. Luca usually does business at this time. And he made it very clear he didn’t want me to be part of it. My mind shifts as excitement blooms in my chest.

Maybe he actually heard what I had to say this morning.

I stand, moving to put my instrument away, when the man stops me.

“He wants you to bring that with you,” he says.

Once again, I hide my confusion. I don’t know why Luca would want me to bring my instrument with me, but I am not in a position to ask after the way he reacted this morning. So I nod, allowing him to lead me to my husband.

I haven’t been in Luca’s office since arriving at our new house. I know where it is, and I’ve heard some of the terrifying things that go on behind the doors, but I’ve never been in it physically. It feels taboo. I was only ever called into my father’s office to be informed of my upcoming marriage. And now that Luca has asked for my presence after our conversation this morning, I feel like maybe things between us could be different. Maybe our relationship won’t be so black and white after all.

Luca’s man opens the door to his office, and my excitement immediately vanishes.

There’s a man, beaten and bloodied on the center carpet, heavily breathing. Luca stands in front of him, his arms crossed as he looks down at the man in irritation. Two of Luca’s men stand on either side of the victim, their stances relaxed as theywatch their handiwork, waiting for a command from their boss. And upon my entrance, Luca’s crazed gaze falls on me.

“My beautiful wife has finally arrived.” His tone sends a chill up my spine as he pushes himself off his desk. He roughly grips the man’s head, turning him to face me.

“Don’t be rude, James. Say hello to my wife,” he says.

James doesn’t speak, though. He spits bloodied saliva onto the floor at my feet, earning him Luca’s rage. Luca releases him, gesturing to the men in the room. They don’t miss a beat as they begin raining down a beating on the man. Luca watches in satisfaction, a smile on his lips. And once again, with only a gesture, he commands the men to stop.

The sound of James’s heavy breathing fills the air.

Luca approaches James again, placing his foot under his chin.

“I won’t ask again. Say hello,” he growls out.

Luca shoves him with his foot, and James collapses, his battered face lifting to meet mine as he struggles to find words to speak.

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