Page 1 of These Deadly Vows

Chapter One

Knees shaking, heart beating a million miles a minute, I stare at the blood splattering my clothes and my hands. None of it belongs to me, thankfully.

“Drink this. It’ll help,” a female voice instructs, thrusting a glass of liquor into my hands.

I take a hearty gulp as she along with another woman strip my soiled clothing from my body down to my underwear.

“Hurry up. Wipe that blood from her face,” the one who offered me the drink barks at the other.

I blink, trying to memorize their faces, but I can’t focus. I’m minutes away from marrying a monster.

A man who lives up to his reputation.

3 hours ago

“Happy Birthday, princess.”

“Thank you, Dad.” I touch the diamond necklace draped across my throat. “You shouldn’t have.”

“Only the best for my girl.”

“I love it.”

“Good. This party cost me a fortune.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Money has never been a concern for him.

His olive eyes that match my own in color soften around the edges. “It isn’t every day my favorite daughter turns twenty-one.”

“I’m your only daughter,” I tell him. Not that he needs the reminder. No. My father is well aware that there is no son to step in and fill his shoes. The day my father dies, this kingdom he’s built will crumble. His enemies will burn me and all he’s worked for to the ground so they can take over unless he marries me off to someone powerful enough to protect me and his legacy.

He’s not getting any younger. I worry about his declining health more than he realizes. He’s tried to shield me from the threats on my life. But I know the life I was born into. The mafia has a code. One written in blood. Family is everything. We bleed for our family, and we die for them, too.

“Roberto is here.” He squeezes my shoulders and kisses my cheeks.

“Ugh.” I don’t hide my dislike of the man my father has been grooming to take his place. Not only as the head of the family. My father assumes I will do as he wishes and marry him.

If only I had a choice.

But I’m a woman in a man’s world. My father’s word is golden until I’m married and become my husband’s property. That’s all daughters are in this life. Bartering chips. Pawns in a deadly game of life and death.

One wrong move and it’s all over.

“Don’t start. You know he’s a good man, Adi.”

“I don’t love him.” I will never love that creep. He has this way of staring at me with such intensity that I know he’s undressing me with his eyes. It’s vulgar and repulsive.

“I didn’t love your mother the night I married her, but we grew to respect each other. Love has nothing to do with it.”

“How can I respect a husband I don’t love?” I hold back my tears, hiding my weakness. My emotions.

“You’re making what’s left of my hair fall out.” He kisses my cheek again. “Now, be good and do as you’re told. Roberto plans to propose. Don’t embarrass him or me. He’s worked hard for this. He’s earned it. I’ll rest easy knowing you’re in good hands when I’m gone.”

“Stop talking like you’ll die any minute now.”

“He understands the delicacy of your condition. And has agreed to certain terms that will ensure you’re protected and that my legacy doesn’t end with you. This is all for you.”

“Right. All for me.” This has nothing to do with me. It’s all about his stupid pride. I don’t know why he couldn’t have taken a second wife, one who could give him the sons he always dreamed of having.

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