Page 67 of Beautiful Vows

“He suggested it,” Rafe replies with a faint smile. “He wants you and the babies as safe as possible. And that means you don’t have to come here to visit us.”

“I would have gotten you to visit me,” she counters playfully, that delicate eyebrow still quirked.

Rafe and I exchange a loaded look before he chuckles lightly. “Well, you are the boss of all bosses.”

The levity fades from my expression. “Talking about that role ... are you sure about that? That it’s a safe position to hold?”

Lia’s face turns pensive but determined. “I am. And my mother died to protect me. She gave up her legacy, but I know if I do the same, my children will be hunted just like I was.” She pauses, placing a hand over her belly. “And deep down, I know I’ve been channeled toward this my entire life.” She smiles, adding, “And I’m already married to Dante. Already initiated to the three of you. No other man can touch me.”

Rafe smiles but grimaces as the action hurts his face. “So you’re ours too, Lia?”

“I am yours.”

“No divorce.”

She laughs. “Do you think Dante would ever let me get a divorce? I knew he wouldn’t, but I couldn’t get away with what I wanted by being too close to the three of you. I needed to do things my way.”

“And is it over,” Rafe checks. Because we worked out her plan, the moment Leonardo Bianchi succumbed to the poison in his body. It could never be a coincidence when two heads of families in one Syndicate die so closely together.

“No,” she says. “Eduardo needs to die. It’s not over until the bastard is dead.”

Chapter 23

Lia

My life has been smooth since the Bianchi funeral. Too peaceful, to be honest.

And today, we've been asked to gather at Dominic's for dinner. That surprised everyone, including me. Definitely including Cade, because he never gets invited anywhere.

It doesn't stop the heaviness hanging in the air, like the eerie calm before a dark storm brews. I can't shake the feeling that something unsettling is on the horizon, and I don't like it one bit.

As we arrive, the wrought-iron gates slide back, revealing the sleek, architectural home where Dominic lives.

It's all sharp angles and clean lines, an epitome of modern minimalism. The imposing house is elegant, with clean lines, contrasting nicely against the gentle but lush, meticulously landscaped grounds.

The facade is a mix of charcoal colored stone, which matches the darkness of the tinted floor-to-ceiling glass panels that I suspect are bullet proof.

Three-inch lengths of oak wood span the full width of the house, rising from the balcony to the roof, neutralizing the darkness.

Dante drives to the underground garage, parking his car alongside the many already there. He cuts the engine and says, "Let’s get this over with."

"You okay?" I ask Cade when we get out of Dante's car.

He smiles. "Nervous but happy."

I squeeze his hand. "Me too."

"You brought your gun?" Dante asks, jokingly.

I tap my thigh. "Yeah."

He chuckles as he presses for the elevator. The doors slide open and we get inside, and wait for the big revelation of why we're summoned.

As we step inside the home, I take in the soaring double-height ceilings and the open concept main floor. It's ridiculously opulent, from the palatial marble foyer to the rich mahogany details.

A dramatic floating staircase bisects the space and to the left is the living area with low-slung leather sofas arranged around a linear gas fireplace framed in black stone. To the right lies the dining room, where we’re about to eat dinner.

Throughout, the color palette is muted - grays, blacks, tans, and splashes of rich wood tones. It's severely stylish, yet devoid of much personality or warmth. Very masculine. Then again, that seems fitting for a controlled, polished man like Dominic.

---