Page 45 of Vengeful Vows

She wakes me up when she gets out of bed, stretching, walking naked to the bathroom.

I watch her go, loving the way her ass and hips jiggle, but when she returns, she’s dressed in a pair of shorts and a blouse.

“What’s on the docket today, hubby?” she asks, only the slightest hint of sarcasm in her voice.

I sigh. “Unfortunately, today I have to do a little business. But you’ll have some company.”

“Company?”

I take her to the front door, putting my fingers in my mouth and whistling loudly.

Sean and Finn O’Toole come out of their rooms, standing in the hallway and waiting for instructions.

“Oh, Jesus,” she mutters.

I look down at her. “I know you’re probably not happy about this, but someone needs to keep you safe while I’m gone.”

“Someone needs to keep me prisoner while you’re gone, you mean.”

I close my eyes.

I knew this wouldn’t last forever.

“I’m sorry, princess—” I start, touching her hand, but she wrenches away from me, sticking out her hand.

“If you’re going to leave me all day with these thugs, you’re going to pay for it.”

I smile and put a stack of bills in her hand. She’s right. This is the least I can do. This is our honeymoon after all and I’m leaving her behind for a few hours.

I wish I didn’t have to, though. Yesterday was the closest we’ve ever been, and it felt better than I ever dreamed it would.

Her hurt just now when she realized she was staying with the twins pierced my heart deeper than it should be possible.

As she puts the money away, part of me is proud because it is almost as if I’m being the man I should be as a husband. I’m taking care of her.

And my damned traitorous heart skips a beat.

I grab her around the waist, pulling her to me, and she fights just for a moment before melting against me when I kiss her deeply.

“I’ll see you soon.” I let her go.

She stumbles a little, pouting,

I head toward the elevator, smiling, hoping that maybe she is starting to enjoy being with me just as much as I enjoy being with her. And that is a dangerous thought.

My smile fades when I realize what I have ahead of me, and I take a deep breath.

I am so fucking tired.

12

BREE

“You guys could at least let me make conversation,” I say to the twins as we walk back to the hotel after hours shopping and touring all I could.

As I go, I take it all in and I wonder if I can talk Declan into coming with me to tour other places. Walking around Vegas is so much fun!

Wait. Why am I wanting to spend more time with Declan? It’s not that I’m falling for him. It has nothing to do with that. He’s just been a good distraction, that’s all. And since the twins are keeping me from escaping, he’s the only distraction I have.

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