Page 6 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

I watch her blink away tears, trying to hold herself together.

She is strong. Surviving a man like Marcus is not easy.

He will keep coming after her, so I’ve gone over and above to get her as far away from this city as possible. I will do what I can to help her escape for my sister, and then she really is on her own. I can’t be involved past a certain point because I have to think of my family and myself.

We arrive at the airport and climb into my private jet.

It’s not a long flight, but at least I know we will be somewhere safe tonight. She sits close to me, desperate for the comfort of another human being near her. Her body against mine is distracting, like a constant taunt of something I should not have but want badly.

It wouldn’t be fair of me to do anything with her now. She is not in a position to be making decisions.

She is going through a lot and she needs to stay focused on the future. Tomorrow the entire world is going to change for Bella.

Her new life will start, and she can never safely return to her old one.

Chapter 3

Isabella

My heart is racing full speed and I can’t seem to get it to slow down.

The flight was an hour long, and we arrive in the dark, late at night, at his family’s holiday home on a secluded private beach.

I can hear and smell the ocean as we climb the steps into the mansion of a house, but I can’t see it. The outline looms around us, daunting and ominous.

It’s a dark night and only the stars are shining above us. The moon is narrow and hiding in a Cheshire cat grin.

Nico walks in first. Lights come on as he moves through the place.

The more light spills through, the more I settle.

It’s beautiful, open and bright and I imagine those tall glass windows let in all the natural sunlight and ocean views - but my body is too tense to really take much of it in.

Nico turns to look at me. His eyes trace up and down my body and I see the heat in his gaze. I bite my lip.

My wedding dress was ripped so badly my underwear is on display. I am exposed and uncomfortable.

I’ve never been with a man. Marcus was going to be my first tonight.

It was another reason he was so hell bent on marrying me - because I wasn’t supposed to do anything until I was married. He is so weirdly obedient to mafia law that he was willing to wait until I was his wife before taking my virginity.

It made me sick - the idea of him being the first man to take me like that. Or ever. I never wanted to be with him. I hate him.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to push the thought away. It will never happen now. I’m free of him.

I’m free of him because Nico took a massive risk and saved me from my fate.

When I open my eyes, Nico is standing closer to me. He reached out and touched my face. “Are you ok? You’re very pale. I promise you - you are safe here.”

His touch sends sparks shooting down my spine.

The look in his eyes, the smile that touches his lips, I’m falling towards him, seeking comfort in his presence.

Before I know what I’m doing, I wrap my arms around his neck and stand on my tiptoes - pressing my lips against his mouth.

He freezes in surprise, his hands on my waist, and completely lets go of whatever resistance he was holding onto.

He wraps his arms around me and lifts me up, my legs around his waist as he carries me upstairs.

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