Page 35 of Ruthless Vows

“Maybe. But I’m a sociopath who wants you, Lucia. Which is a damn shame for those who try to stop me.”

For the first time, she actually looks scared of me. I don’t like it. She gets to her feet, putting some distance between us.

“If you hurt any member of my family, I’ll never forgive you.”

“I don’t want to hurt them, Lucia. I won’t if you come to me,” I say gruffly.

She clenches her jaw before looking away. “I’m leaving.”

“Forty-eight hours are almost up, Lucia. I expect your decision and your family’s decision in the morning.”

I don’t stop her as she leaves the lounge, I just make a quick call to ensure Clyde drops her off at home safely. And then I finish my whiskey, pondering my next moves.

Am I really going to go to war with the Italians over this?

I’d hate to kill any of her family members. If I do, I’m never going to get her. And if I lose her in the end, then there’s really no point to all of this. Pointless bloodshed isn’t my thing. In fact, this entire thing is completely out of character for me.

I blame it all on her and her refusal to get out of my head. Even now, when I know without a doubt that she hates my guts, all I can think about is taking her against a wall, fucking her on all fours. She’s constantly dominating my thoughts. Her and all that fire.

There’s a very big possibility Ramirez will call my bluff tomorrow. I wouldn’t advise it, but if they decide not to release Lucia, then I’ll have to go to war based on principle alone. I already threatened them; going back on my word would be cowardly.

I get a call from one of my men asking for my location, and thirty minutes later, he’s walking into the lounge. Lukas inclines his head in deference as soon as he spots me. I’ve known Lukas a long time. He’s a spy I planted into the Cosa Nostra when hewas still younger. I wanted him to grow up with the Italians, gain their trust.

I played a long game to establish an alliance with them. The Pakhan was never going to work toward one, but I realized it wouldn’t hurt to have them on our side. In this city, the Bratva and the Cosa Nostra hold the most weight, the most power. The alliance was meant to solidify said power. And now, thanks to me, that power hangs in the balance. On a precipice.

The irony is not lost on me. I might have to tear down all I’ve built with my own hands.

“What decision did they come to?” I ask Lukas once he’s taken a seat, bypassing a hello.

Lukas has always been fiercely loyal to me, ever since I saved his life as a child. Even now that his loyalties sway more toward the Italians than the Bratva. I’m aware of the closed-table meeting the Don had earlier this evening. Lukas’s wife sits at that table, so I’m sure he knows the outcome of the meeting.

“It’s not looking good, boss,” he replies with a frown. “Nicolas isn’t going to back down.”

“Shame,” I mutter.

Lukas sits up in his chair, his gaze intense. “Are you really going to go through with this war?”

I smirk, swirling the remaining liquid in my glass, watching as it moves.

“That’s an excellent question, Lukas. Am I really going to go through with this?”

CHAPTER 11

Lucia

I’m seated in Nico’s office in a chair right by my sister and her husband. Adrian’s here too, and Camila. Two members of the table who hold the most power in the Cosa Nostra. Oh, and Camila’s husband, a tall man called Lukas. If it wasn’t for the sheer vastness of this room, it’d be pretty crowded with the number of people in here.

And they’re all trying to decide what to do next. Forty-eight hours are up and he’s going to be demanding an answer soon enough.

“I don’t think there’s any point in further discussions,” Nico starts. “Lucia’s not going to marry him. The move is neither politically nor strategically beneficial.”

“It’s also not ethically right,” my sister mutters beside me. “And even if it was, my sister’s not going to be forced into a marriage on my watch. Which is why I thought of an alternative.”

We all perk up visibly, our eyes moving to rest on her.

Aurora has a smile on her face as she speaks, “He can’t marry Lucia if she’s already married, now can he?”

“Um… sis? Slight issue with that plan. I’m single as fuck,” I state.

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