Page 10 of Promised Vows

The universe seemed to be mocking me. First, a forced marriage. Then, demands to socialize with strangers who were supposed to be family. Now, cast aside like I meant nothing. I was so close to tears that I almost sat down and wept right there.

“You okay?” a male voice came from behind me.

I whipped around. Streetlamps were giving off enough light I could tell it was the same dude as this morning. What was his name? He’d told me, but I’d been uninterested, which was why I’d given him a fake number when he wouldn’t back off. “Uh, yeah, I’m fine. Just…waiting on my ride to show up.”

The guy smiled. “Oh, hey, Anna, right?”

My creep o’meter pinged. “Good memory.” I laughed.

“If you need a ride”—he threw a thumb over his shoulder to a dark sedan parked along the curb not far from where we were standing—“I could give you one.”

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Had this guy followed me? If so, for how long? And that car? That was a tie-a-chick-up-and-throw-them-in-the-trunk kind of car. I was blonde, but I wasn’t stupid. “Nah, that’s okay. I appreciate the offer though.”

Dude’s smile dropped for a fraction of a second as he took a step forward. “Aw, don’t be that way.” He tilted his head. “You gave me a fake number earlier today too. I’m thinking maybe I’d made you nervous and you got a digit wrong or something. Perhaps I could get it now.”

“Or not.” A throaty growl came from behind me right before Ari’s massive body stepped in front of me. “She gave you the wrong number for a reason. Take the hint.”

“Sorry, man. I didn’t realize she was taken.”

I peeked around Ari. The guy had his hands up, but the sly smile was still firmly on his face. His eyes cut to me and back to Ari.

Ari reached behind and found me, pulling me tight against his back.

Holy smokes. Underneath that wool coat and suit confirmed my observation that he was a man with a body like a stone wall. I’d never felt safer with a man who’d appeared out of nowhere. Didn’t mean I liked my situation any better, or that I would marry Ari. It meant I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

“She was waiting for me. I appreciate you keeping her safe while I was detained.” His tone had taken on a completely different note. Almost like he was trying to diffuse a situation.

“No problem, my guy, happy to help.” He tipped his head at Ari.

It was several beats before Ari faced me, taking me by the arms. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. He’d just shown up.”

“He’d been following you since you left your apartment.”

“Which means you were too!” I jerked away.

“Good thing I was. Don’t you think?”

I pinched my lips together as I crossed my arms over my chest. Yes, it was, but dammit, that didn’t mean I had to like it. Exhaling, I grunted. “Fine. Thank you. Now, I’ll call a cab, and you can be on your way.”

“No. I can take you home.”

“I’ll be fine. That guy is gone.”

“That guy is a Moretti, and he’s Marco Moretti’s consigliere.”

It took me a second to catch up. “His second?”

Nodding, Ari replied, “Yeah. It’s unclear why he’s approached you twice, but I’m going to figure it out. I know you don’t know me or like me, but I do care about your safety. Please, let me take you home.”

Well, crap. I dropped my arms to my sides. He was making sense. All those shows where the girl acted tough and then wound up chained in the basement had taught me at least one thing: Don’t be that stupid. Ari had even used please.

Pointing my finger at him, I said, “All right, but this doesn’t mean I like you.” The gorgeous jerk smiled, and my knees jellied. Dammit.

He held out his arm to me. “Take a walk with me.”

“A walk?”

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