Page 7 of Promised Vows

“I’m no saint, but I don’t sell women and children. That guy? He works for the Morettis and they do. Don’t go near him again. Do you understand?”

Shock flashed in her eyes, and for a heartbeat, I thought she might actually listen to reason. I should've known better. Fire lit in her eyes again.“I’ll do what I want when I want, and with whoever I want.”

“Not anymore you don’t.”

Anna’s next move thoroughly threw me for a loop. Her high-pitched scream coupled with the disturbed flock of pigeons gave her enough of a distraction to dart away and head into her apartment building.

I knew immediately that I wasn’t following her inside by the look on the doorman’s face. Either I was leaving of my own accord or by police escort.

Fine. Game on, brat. I’d see her later. Until then, I’d work on finding out who that Moretti guy was, and why he was sniffing around my girl. While I was still unsure about everything, there was a protectiveness that she brought out in me. I’d also have a guard on her to ensure her safety.

Chapter Three

ANNA

I knew of Claire Benoit, but I didn’t know her. To be sitting in a restaurant celebrating her upcoming marriage with Lucas’s aunt Helen and his two cousins, Marianna and Elana, seemed strange and awkward. Had I not been threatened by Lucas Kalantzis’s sister, Thea, I wouldn’t even have come.

She had shown up at my modeling audition, slipped in next to me, and given me a heads-up that I had plans. When I balked at the demand, she’d glared at me, and I’d seen my life flash before my eyes. Even Jason wasn’t as scary as that chick. She’d also made it clear that if I came without a gift, I’d lose digits. I was thoroughly motivated after that. I’d found a cute little lingerie set, hoping it’d fit. If not, there was a gift receipt in the box so she could return it and get her size.

To top off my stellar day, Ari had followed me. The weasel. He’d let me sit in that cab, knowing full well who I was, and allowed me to make a fool of myself. I’d flirted with that…man. Even now, my heart fluttered when I thought about him. I only thought he was attractive the previous day.

Ari was a head taller than me, and in the daylight, at full height, he was a man who deserved to be admired. Big and beefy but fit with large hands. My mouth went dry. I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. I didn’t need to think about how dang sexy he was because I was annoyed with him. Apparently, my mind and body weren’t on the same page.

My pulse had jumped when he’d taken me by the elbow. Then he’d warned me about the guy who’d bumped into me. For a second, I’d considered that he was trying to look out for me. Then I remembered he’d followed me and was probably trying to assert his dominance. I’d screamed like I’d been stabbed, and dashed into my building.

I’d raced into my fifth-floor apartment and thrown myself on my bed, immediately bursting into tears. How had my life blown up so quickly? I wouldn’t say my life was spectacular, but it was okay. I had a job and a decent apartment. My modeling career was mediocre, but I was beginning to get more calls.

My phone chimed, pulling me from my thoughts, and I peeked at it under the table.

Rehearsal dinner is tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at seven.

Fantastic. We’d exchanged names and he was already telling me what to do.

What if I have to work tomorrow?

I didn’t, but he didn’t know that.

Do you?

Lie. Simply lie.

No.

At some point, I’d have to meet with him. I hadn’t quite figured out what I was going to say yet. What if he didn’t hear me or care about my opinion? I’d seen what happened to women when they tried to buck against their families. If Ari didn’t listen to reason, my options would be limited to a walk down the aisle.

“I love this restaurant!” Claire Benoit smiled.

Her smile faltered as I looked at her. Forcing back tears, I stood. There was no way I was breaking down at her bachelorette party. I reached the bathroom, stepped inside, and braced my hands on the counter. Closing my eyes, I lowered my head. I needed to figure a way out of this whole mess. It was maybe a minute before the bathroom door opened, and I jumped.

Claire. Her lips curved up. “It’s okay. I came in here to see how you’re doing.”

Awful. Horrible. On top of that, I was ruining her party, and here she was being kind to me.

“I don’t know. I found out last night I’m getting married, and that I had a bachelorette party to attend. I’m?—”

Her eyebrows knitted together as she stepped closer. “You don’t have to explain it to me. I understand, and it’s okay to be upset.”

I wrapped one arm around my middle, braced my elbow on my forearm, and touched my fingers to my forehead. “How could Jason do this to me? I’m his sister, and he acts like I’m not a person.” I blurted the words.

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