Page 29 of Bound in Promise
“I’m not built like that,” I confess. “I need him gone.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not going to kill you so that he can’t get your money. So tell me, where does that leave me, Victoria?”
A slow curve of her lips hints at some secret amusement, but I don’t see what’s so funny. Liam is still a fucking problem, and he’s going to continue to be one until he’s six feet in the ground.
“That’s sweet,” Victoria claims with a squeeze of my hand. “But let’s just concentrate on us, okay?”
“I am. And as long as he’s still walking around, you’re not safe.”
“I think he’s learned his lesson.”
I raise a brow. What would she know about it? We’re men—prideful as shit and stupid as hell. Plus, revenge is fun. “No, princess, he hasn’t. He’s just lost again, been humiliated again, and now he’s just going to double down on his bullshit.”
“I think you took out his means of getting me a passport.”
My shoulders lift in an unapologetic shrug. “Oh, well.”
“Dante…” Victoria says my name like a soothing caress, but I can’t anchor my thoughts to her. My mind is drifting, assessing all the scenarios and plays I could make. She’s a liability, a weakness for me, that’s obvious. And now Liam knows I will go through heaven and hell to keep her with me.
That’s a problem.
“Thank you for coming for me,” she continues when I don’t say anything. “I knew you would.”
Does she?
I hoped she’d have some faith in me, something to give her the strength to get through what was happening. I’m proud as fuck of her and everything she did to protect herself and get away. She’s a rare treasure, and I’m one lucky bastard to have found her.
“You never have to worry that I won’t,” I tell her, lacing our fingers together. “I’m your villain, princess. I’ll always come running for you.”
Victoria slowly crawls up and into my lap, straddling my waist and centering her weight over my thighs. I support her back with one hand curved at the base of her spine. “I’d run for you, too.”
“Would you?” She bobs her head without hesitation, threading her fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck. “Sounds like we’re quite a team, then.”
“We’re badass.”
“You’re badass, princess. I just wish you didn’t have these battle wounds.” The bruises on her face kill me, but I can’t look away. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to look at her for the world.
“They’re not so bad.”
“You don’t have to coddle me. It’s not going to save your ex.”
“Then what would?”
My eyes narrow. The answer is absolutely nothing. Why is she so hell-bent on saving the little shit? I can’t get past the fact that her first instinct isn’t to eliminate him, even though everything in me demands his death. “Give me some insight into your mind. I’m really not liking hearing you stick up for another man like this.”
Victoria looks heavenward, clearly exasperated. “It has nothing to do with whatever caveman theory I’m sure is bouncing around your brain right now.”
“You don’t know what’s bouncing around my brain right now.”
“I’m not hiding any tender feelings for your nephew, Dante. Liam and I have been truly over for a long time.”
“Yet, here you are, in my lap with your thick thighs spread over me, and you won’t stop talking about another man.”
“I’m asking you to give it some more thought. That’s all.”
“I am and I did. The whole drive from Connecticut. Nothing will change my mind, princess. That kid is a dead man walking.” She turns her head, clearly not wanting to hear that answer, but I grip her chin between my thumb and index finger and pull her to face me. “No one who threatens you gets to live. Do you understand me?”
