Page 85 of Sinister Vows

“Why?” I shook my head, scowling at him as his hand tightened on mine. He looked around the room before scooting closer and lowering his voice to a mere whisper.

“Do you want out of this marriage?”

I snapped my head back as a violent roll of emotions crashed over me. “What do you mean?”

“If you want out, I’ll help you,” He affirmed, with the same hushed tone. “There’s a way.”

“I don’t want out,” I answered firmly, admitting something I hadn’t realized myself yet.

Carmine hissed, pulling me closer, “Lower your voice or you’ll get me killed before I have a chance to get off this boat.”

“Then tell me what the hell has gotten into you,” I hissed back, in a whisper.

He clenched his jaw and looked around again before whispering to me. “I came here to give you a choice. And a warning.”

“About what?”

“Nicolas declared war on our family last night,” He said plainly, watching me for my reaction. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”

I felt my face pale as I pulled back to look at him more easily. “I don’t understand.”

“After your wedding Nicolas pulled me aside, angry over your treatment by our parents. He made comments suggesting that he was going to take Father’s power away.”

“What does that mean?” I cried as fear started filling my body. My father was impossibly rich, and great money like that bought great power.

“He alluded to me taking the throne,” Carmine answered cautiously. “He said his power and allies could help facilitate the transfer.”

“There’s no way Father will simply give up his power, Carmine!” I hissed, “You know that.”

“I know.”

“Then how is Nicolas planning to take it from him? What happened yesterday to cause him to declare war?” I was panicking, sliding down a steep slope of uncertainty the longer we spoke.

Carmine raised his brows and shrugged his shoulders, not voicing his idea out loud. But he didn’t have to.

Nicolas was planning to use violence to make the transfer.

“Father smuggled millions of dollars in weapons into West Shores behind The Don’s back. Nicolas showed up last night, taking them back and facing off with Cristian over it.”

“No,” I whispered, already knowing what must have happened to my other brother.

“He ended up in the hospital, Ari.”

“No.” I cried, squeezing my eyes shut and dropping my head in agony. “No, no, no.”

“I don’t know how this is going to play out, but my guess is it’s going to end in bloodshed,” He warned, “But there’s more.”

“Jesus,” I groaned, rubbing my fingers over my forehead as a migraine took place.

“Three days ago, Father met with Matthew Rizzio.” The name sounded familiar, but I had trouble placing it with everything else swirling in my brain. “I wasn’t invited into the meeting, but Father told me what was discussed afterward.” He paused, waiting for me to look back up at him. “Father ended their meeting with a handshake betrothal.”

“To whom?” I gasped, seeing my sweet younger sister’s faces torment my mind. They were too young to be cast out into this world. It wasn’t fair, they weren’t ready.

I hadn’t been ready, and I was older than them.

“To you, Ari,” He whispered.

I recoiled from him as his words physically assaulted me. “Nico won’t divorce me, Carmine.” I hissed. “He’s too proud and possessive.” I shook my head, biting my tongue to keep the rest of Nico’s attributes to myself.

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