Page 30 of Ruined in Vows

Throwing him a look of exasperation, I start for the door. “I will be back.”

“When?” Allegra’s panicked voice stops me.

The sound of my cell phone ringingagain, has me grinding my teeth together and it takes all my self restraint not to smash it to dust.

Glancing over my shoulder, I speak, “Tomorrow?”

She rushes toward me and when she places her palms on my chest, my whole body lights up, flooding me with so many emotions, I nearly fall to my knees. I swallow. My gaze taking in every part of her beautiful face as she implores me with her eyes.

“We leave in a couple of days. I have to…” she trails off, shaking her head. I hear the urgency in her voice. “No, Ineedto make you see the truth before we head back to New York.” Her breath catches, eyes squeezing shut as if she is in pain. They snap open, focused and determined. “You know me, Dante.” Her hand covers my erratically beating heart. “You feel our connection, deep inside just as I do. Even when I thought you were dead, my soul was tethered to yours. Just like yours is chained to mine. Dig deep, I know you will find what you’re looking for.”

My throat tightens with emotion, and I realize I have no way to contact her. I mean I could always grab a burner phone but there is no way, Caterina or Vincenzo won’t find it eventually. So, I tell her the only thing I can right now. “I will come back tomorrow. Five P.M.”

That way Vincenzo will think I’m leaving work early and my wife will be at her weekly blow dry appointment. It’s the perfect opportunity to visit, and I should be able to go undetected.

Allegra smiles, those blue eyes lighting up and her shoulders sagging in relief. “Okay.”

I smile, stepping back so her hands drop from my body and pulling the door open. “Okay.”

Climbing into my car, I slump back against the seat, feeling exhausted. After the last hour, my emotions and thoughts are all over the place, ping ponging between all the stories I have been told.

Shaking my head, I press the button to turn on the ignition, and wait for my phone to connect to the Bluetooth before I call mywifeback. But instead of putting my vehicle in drive I stay stationary. Anxiety claws at my skin with all the unanswered questions. The deceit.

Scrubbing a hand across my jaw, I mull over everything I have just been told. And even though I can’t remember a thing of my… maybe past, I can’t deny the stirring ofsomethingin my head. I don’t know whether it was the story orherbut there was a familiarity there. The same feeling I experienced when I first saw my angel. Begging the question I have asked myself since my first interaction with Allegra.

What if they are telling me the truth?

Though I had my initial concerns about them being enemies, I don’t believe that now. I was unarmed and neither Vincenzo, Caterina nor anyone else knew where I was. It was the perfect opportunity if Nico were going to use me or do anything and yet… They looked at me with happiness and relief. It is confusing as fuck, but I can’t deny, it’s questioned everything I thought I believed – or the version of the story Vincenzo and his sister have given me anyway.

My cell phone ringing startles me from my thoughts. I grimace when I see Vincenzo’s name flashing on the screen. No doubt Caterina has called him, asking about my whereabouts, like the little fucking annoyance she is.

Clearing my throat, I hit the answer button on my steering wheel. “Vincenzo?” I greet nonchalantly.

“Where the fuck are you? Cat called me sobbing her heart out because she couldn’t get ahold of you?” he barks. I grit my teeth, having had just about enough of him getting involved in myrelationship.

“I am not a fucking child, Vincenzo,” I hiss. “And I have hit my fucking limit with you and your sister on my case all the time. Stay out of my marriage.” The word tastes like poison in my mouth, but right now, I can’t let on about Nico or Allegra.

“It fucking concerns me when you upset my sister. Now where the fuck are you? We have work to do,” he bites out.

Sighing, I say the first thing that comes to my head. “I had an appointment with a specialist doctor about my headaches.”

He goes silent. So quiet, I almost think the call was cut out. But then he speaks again, his voice tight. “Why didn’t you tell anyone about this? Our family doctor is on call for any of your needs, Luca. You know that? Why go to someone else who doesn’t know your… history.”

My brows raise, eyes narrowing at the windscreen. It’s a strange response but one that tells me everything. Vincenzo is hiding something. There is a reason he only wants me seeing the doctor on his payroll. My chest tightens. Did Vincenzo just confirm that they have been lying to me this whole time?

“Your doctor isn’t a specialist. Again, I am an adult and can make my own decisions. If I want to see another medical professional, then I will.” I state, my voice leaving no room for argument.

“I want the details of this doctor. You know, so that I can investigate him, make sure he is legit. You’re vulnerable right now, Luca. I wouldn’t want anyone taking advantage of you.” His voice has softened but I hear the underlying threat.

I bite back a snort, ignoring his demand. “I will be there shortly.”

“Okay. And call your fucking wife,” he snaps before ending the call.

Shaking my head, I drop my cell into the center console, my mind an even bigger jumbled mess after that conversation.

Whatever Vincenzo and Caterina are hiding, I will find out.

More now than ever, I am determined to uncover the truth.

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