Page 13 of Forced Vows

"Do not lose me my rideshare, Ares," I warn.

"You will drive my date to the hotel as promised." It's not a question.

I rush to the car and give Evan my most winning smile. "It's fine. I'm harmless, I promise and he's not coming with us."

"He threatened to follow us." He tilts his head and mouths at me, "Are you safe?"

I smile and nod. "My date is a little intense, but he's just looking out for me. You don't have to worry about him."

Suddenly five hundred dollar bills drop through the driver's window into his lap. "Drive Ann to the hotel and you will be fine."

The rideshare driver looks from me to the money. "You promise he's not going to beat me up once we get there, or something?"

"I promise. He'll be too busy with me." I wink.

The driver shakes his head. "Whatever you're into."

Ares opens the back door for me.

I move around him and slide onto the small backseat. "See you soon."

"Yes, you will. Ann."

Something twinges in my chest. The anonymity of made-up pseudonyms is fun. Having him call me by the fake name on my fake I.D. feels deceitful. Especially considering what we plan to do later.

"Aphrodite tonight, remember?"

White teeth flash in a masculine grin. "As you wish, my goddess."

The door shuts and Ares sprints to his car. He's right behind us as we pull out of the parking lot.

"That guy is intense. Are you sure you're safe?" Evan asks me. "I can drop you off at the police station instead, or a friend's house."

"You're a good guy, Evan, but I'm fine. Really." Ares is intense.

As much as that kind of arrogance in my uncle and his men irritates me, in Ares it's like catnip to the sexy kitty that wants to come out and play.

Losing my virginity to him will have her purring. He'd be a little too much for day-to-day living though. I have a feeling trying to keep up with him would keep any woman on her toes.

But especially one with as little experience as I have.

"To each her own, but I'll stick with my cinnamon roll boyfriend."

I laugh. "I'm pretty sure Ares would be too much for me as a boyfriend too. Tonight is a one time thing."

"It's like that, is it?" Evan teases.

"For tonight." The rest of my life will be spent with a man I've never met and who I can never love.

How do you love a man who works for the same syndicate that cost you both your parents?

Chapter 7: MICELI

Present Day in Severu's Office

I avoid looking at the young woman I have been instructed to marry. I will do my duty to la famiglia, but I can't drum up any excitement for tying my life to a woman more than a decade younger than me.

And fucking Irish to boot.

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