Page 42 of Impure Vows

Carlo chuckles, but there’s an edge to it. “Possessive, aren’t we?”

Aliyah shifts uncomfortably, but I don’t let go. Instead, I let my fingers dig into her side, a silent reminder of who’s in control here. She belongs to me, and I’ll be damned if I let Carlo think otherwise.

“Possessive? No,” I say, my tone icy. “Protective.”

Carlo’s green eyes flicker with amusement. “Of course. Protecting what’s yours, right?”

I glare at him, my jaw clenched. “Exactly.”

The meeting continues, but my focus never strays far from Aliyah. Carlo’s occasional glances make my blood boil. I catch his eye once more, letting my murderous intent show. He gets the message, finally diverting his attention elsewhere.

Aliyah tries to pull away slightly, but I tighten my grip. “Stay close,” I murmur in her ear, my voice leaving no room for argument.

She looks up at me, a mix of fear and defiance in her eyes. “You don’t need to hold me so tight.”

I ignore her, keeping her pressed against my side. “I’ll decide what I need.”

The rest of the meeting blurs by in a haze of controlled fury. Every time Carlo looks her way, I’m reminded of the depth ofmy obsession. It’s irrational, maybe even dangerous, but I don’t care. Aliyah is mine, and I’ll protect her with every fiber of my being.

Finally, the meeting concludes. I stand, pulling Aliyah with me. Carlo rises as well, his eyes lingering one last time.

“Pleasure as always, Dante,” he says, his tone dripping with insincerity.

I give him a curt nod, leading Aliyah out of the room. As we step into the hallway, I loosen my grip just a fraction. “You did well,” I say, my voice softer.

Aliyah looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “Why do you hate him so much?”

I pause, considering my answer carefully. “He’s a snake. And snakes can’t be trusted.”

She nods, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. “And me? What am I?”

I pull her closer, our bodies almost touching, my gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that makes it clear she’s not just asking out of curiosity. “Mine,” I say, my voice low and possessive.

With that, I lead her down the corridor, the weight of my possessiveness settling heavily between us. Each step is deliberate, my grip on her firm but not punishing, a reminder of who holds the reins in this dangerous game we’re playing.

Back at the mansion, the tension from the meeting with Carlo lingers in the air like a heavy fog. I pour myself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the light from the chandelier. Aliyah stands by the window, her gaze distant, lost in thought.

"Carlo’s an arrogant prick," I say, breaking the silence.

She turns, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you keep him around then?"

I take a slow sip, savoring the burn. "Because allies, even slimy ones, have their uses."

Aliyah crosses her arms, her posture defensive. "You don’t trust him, do you?"

A smirk tugs at my lips. "Trust? In this world? That’s a luxury we can’t afford." I set the glass down, stepping closer to her. "But Carlo… he’s different. I’ve long suspected he’s hiding something."

Her brow furrows. "Like what?"

I shrug, leaning against the ornate desk. "Could be anything. Money, power, secrets. With men like him, it’s always something."

She bites her lip, a nervous habit I’ve noticed. "And you’re just… okay with that? Working with someone you don’t trust?"

I chuckle, a dark sound. "Okay with it? No. But sometimes, you keep your enemies close. You learn more that way."

Her eyes meet mine, a flicker of understanding in their depths. "So, what’s the plan? You just wait until he slips up?"

I admire her curiosity, her desire to understand this twisted world she’s been thrust into. "Exactly. Carlo’s smart, but he’s not invincible. Everyone makes mistakes."

---