Page 54 of Promised Vows

"Ari, that's not?—"

I held up a hand, silencing her. "Please, let me finish. You deserve to know the truth."

Anna hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Remember that night I left you at the condo?" I asked, my voice low.

"The night of the ambush?" Her eyes widened. "Ari, you don't have to?—"

"I do." I met her gaze, unflinching. "It wasn't just an ambush. It was the start of something... darker."

I told her everything—the girl at the club, the corrupt officials, the blood on my hands. With each word, I waited for her to recoil, to see me for the monster I was. But she just listened, her expression unreadable.

When I finished, the silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

Finally, Anna spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you telling me this now?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "Because you deserve the truth. The things I've done... they're a part of me. And they always will be."

“Oh, Ari.”

Continuing, I said, “There’s a reason we need a new police chief and mayor. I killed them. I found the mayor in his home, dragged him out, and broke his neck. The police chief got word that I was doing a cleansing. The chief along with the men who’d attended those parties with him led me to a warehouse where they ambushed me. If my brothers and Thea hadn’t shown up…”

I paused a beat and continued. ”Three years ago, I thought I’d weeded out these predators—the kind that killed my baby sister, Gianna, but I’d let some go. They’d lied to me, but at the time, I didn’t have the proof I have now. When I returned to the club, I found labeled tapes. The only remorse I have is that I let them live three years longer than they should have.”

Bringing my gaze back to hers, I said, “I’m a killer, Anna, and I can’t promise I won’t do it again. So, when I tell you I’m not a good man, that’s what I mean. I’m not.”

“Ari…” she said and moved until she could look me in the eyes. “By whose standards? Ours or the world’s?”

“Yours. I only care about yours.”

Her lips touched mine. “There are women and children who will never have to worry about their attackers ever again because of you. They were powerful men. How many of those monsters would have never seen justice? How many would have beat the system?” She pressed her lips to mine again. “You’re the best man in the world to me.”

Anna ran her nose along my jaw. When she reached my neck, she pressed her lips against my skin and held them there. “My opinion of you hasn’t changed. You’re mine.” She nipped at my skin again.

The nips turned into her teeth skating across my skin, her tongue darting out to taste it. I think she could have asked me to jump off a bridge and there wouldn’t have been enough blood in my brain to keep me from plummeting.

When her lips reached mine, she hovered millimeters above, our breaths mingling, driving me crazy. Every time I tried to connect with hers, she’d move out of reach. I moved wrong and couldn’t catch myself in time to stop the grunt.

Everything stopped. She caressed my face with her hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Worth it.” I chuckled.

Anna pulled away, her eyes locking with mine. “I’ll see you at home.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine now.” She smiled. “Take care of Lorenzo. I’m going home and getting cleaned up. I’ll have dinner ready by the time you arrive, and once we’ve eaten, you’re going to hold me tight and kiss me until my lips are raw. Am I clear?”

The vision of that had me debating which was more important. I worked my jaw. I needed to find out what Michael was planning. “I’ll try not to take too long,” I said as I opened the car door and stepped out.

“I’ll see you at home.” She winked as she shut the door.

Home. She’d made my house a home, and when I got there, I’d see her smiling face, wrap my arms around that body, and kiss those sweet lips.

I was hers.

Playtime was over. The second Dimitris saw me, he knew I needed some space with our guest. My brother wouldn’t go far, but I’d be alone with Lorenzo for as long as I needed to be.

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