Page 2 of Tarnished Vow

She did it on purpose.

Though, normally they don’t getthisclose.

Holding her tighter to me; knowing damn well he wanted to hug her goodbye.

So far, I’ve hated every single one of the men her family has presented as a possible husband.

“Really, Ivan?” I couldn’t hide my annoyance when he finally fucked off.

“He’s so sweet,” she turns in my arm, “But their main trade is guns.” her fingers hovered on my missing cufflinks.

I reached into my pocket, handing them to her, and noticed her new nails. That explained why she left me in bed this morning. How many times had I told her to get them to come to the house instead of leaving me?

“Vinny, you’re late and grumpy.” she pulled my sleeve down, threading the cufflinks through. “What’s wrong?”

“Nik, let Cecilia remodel the club.” Brushing her hair from the side of her face, “Next week, Bastion is going to be whining at me, because Nik let her ruin his nightclub. That’s if Sofia doesn’t throw a fit before that.”

The corner of her lips twitched up as she leaned into me. “Of course Nik did. After you gave her the plane a year early.”

But that at least made sense. Next week, Cecilia left for that art thing overseas.

“What did Ivan want?” I glared at him and his wannabe gangsters. This was Nikolai’s fault and that open door policy.

“Just organizing dinner with my grandparents,” she touched my cheek, trying to get my attention, “Go tell Cecilia good night. Otherwise, we won’t make it in time for the twins.”

“I already did. No way in hell am I going up there to see her with a barely legal boy.” I glanced up at the balcony.

“Or man,” she shrugged. She just couldn’t help herself.

Regardless, I don’t want to know. Unless they hurt her, it’s none of my business.

“Are you ready to leave?” I checked my watch again. So, we had the twins’ hotel opening, then… there was something else.

“Wait,” she went up on her toes, wiping something off my neck with the sleeve of her dress. “You promised me no blood tonight!” Then her eyes narrowed on my shirt. Of course, she noticed.

“I’m sorry, my love,” kissing the back of her hand, “It’s not my fault, I tried. He wouldn’t fucking drown.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Reading the message, it was just Roman reminding me about the twins’ hotel opening. He must be worried I’d forgotten.

After the headache that hotel was to construct, I’d never forget it.

Holding her hand as we walked through the nightclub. Had the crowd got bigger since I arrived?

Fucking people.

That thumping music slowly becoming a distant thud with every step.

Immediate relief when we walked out into the lobby.

“Before when you said dinner with your grandparents, which ones did you mean?”

Moving my hand down her waist.

“Dad’s side.”

For some reason, that made me feel uneasy. “Are your uncles going to be there?”

I lifted her over the paved crushed rock as we walked outside. Those heels were dangerous enough on a flat surface.

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