Page 89 of Vicious Vows

Dominic stumbled slightly at my words before squeezing my side hard and shaking his head. "Keep it up." he played before being grabbed by yet another guest.

I stood to the side and watched him. Watched the way he commanded the room. It still amazed me that he couldn't see just how powerful he truly was. He didn't need to take over his father's empire, he already had his own.

After standing around for what felt like hours I was nearly falling asleep on my feet. I needed to move around. I pulled away from Dominic and he snapped his eyes in my direction.

"Going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

He nodded and released me before turning back toward the conversation he was having.

Usually, I liked to stay close to Dominic when we were out at an event but seeing as the event was taking place in my own home I didn't feel as uneasy walking around. Besides, if I didn't get some space I was going to go out of my mind.

Stealthy, I slipped out of the main ballroom and walked down the long hallway. Instead of going to my bedroom, I walked up the stairs toward the sunroom. I needed to see the vast landscape and calm down before I could paste another fake smile on my face.

As I closed the door to the sunroom all the noise of the party going on down below vanished. It was like I was in a different world altogether. I walked over to the far corner and looked at the desk. Instead of being clear of any debris I saw what looked like the beginnings of another small sculpture Dominic was working on. I picked the carving up and rolled it around on my fingers. It took me longer than normal to figure out exactly what it was but once I did my heart skipped a beat.

It wasn't an animal like he usually carved but instead a miniature version of a couple. A woman being held around the waist by a man. The features weren't defined but I could see that when it was done the carving would be of him and I.

The man may have never said the words to me but every day his actions show me more and more that he loved me. The weight of that realization wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I wanted to get back to him, party be damned.

After releasing a deep breath, I pulled my shoulders back and walked toward the door. I opened it slowly but stopped in my tracks as I saw the shadow of a person rushing by.

Even with the party going on downstairs I was pretty sure no one was supposed to be up here.

I peeked out the crack in the door trying to get a good look at the person sneaking around but I could only see the backside of them. It was a woman. Her hair was pinned up and she was stopping every so often and bending down as if she were looking for something or better yet like she was putting something down.

I couldn't see what it was but more importantly, I couldn't drag my eyes away from what she was wearing. It was a crimson red gown, ornate and it fit her like a glove.

It was the same dress I was wearing.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. I didn't know where Lionel picked this dress up from, maybe someone else bought it too.

Just as I was about to chalk it all up to a bad wardrobe faux pas the woman turned around and I could see her face clearly.

This wasn't done by accident. Someone dressed us up so we'd look the same. It wasn't very hard to do.

Especially since the woman in the red dress was my twin sister Farrah.

CHAPTER 36

Dominic

"Brother, are you ready?"

My eyes scanned the room once again looking for Faye. It's not like her to be away for so long. Everything in me wants to go looking for her but I need to keep up appearances. I need to be present at this moment.

"Not like you've given me any choice. Don't you think we should've talked about this before you went off and set this up? Is everyone here aware of what's about to happen?" Hell, I wasn't aware of what was about to happen.

I'd seen a few of Kumar's men around but I'd yet to see him or my father. Maybe there was still some time to change our fate. Maybe my father didn't have to die today.

"Talk? Since when do you ever need to talk to me about what needs to be done? You just do it. I was only taking a page out of your book brother." Lionel shrugged a shoulder before looking away from me toward the door as if he were waiting for someone. As if on cue, Faye walked in and stood by the door.

Instantly I felt at ease just seeing her there.

"True, fine, let's get this over with. Where is Kumar?"

"Good man, running head first into your destiny." Lionel clapped me on the back before pulling his phone out of his pocket and sending a text. A moment later the doors open again and the room falls silent as Kumar walks in with my father bloodied and bound.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the main event!" Lionel's voice boomed out from beside me as he grabbed hold of my arm and tugged me toward the center of the room.

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