Page 32 of Ruined in Vows

“Let me know which club you want to go to. I will arrange everything. Including the guards.” My brother butts into our conversation. I roll my eyes at the mention of security. As ifI would ever forget the men continually following us, or the stipulations Nico enforced before our trip.

Ignoring him, I turn my attention to his wife. “What do you say, Ocean? Are you up for a night of dancing?”

My brother growls, the heat of his glower burning the side of my face. Ocean rolls her eyes, no doubt at his show of possessiveness, before taking his hand in hers. It’s a placating move. And once again, I’m impressed at the way my sister-in-law handles my brother. I never thought I would see the day that a woman could bring Nico to his knees, but here Ocean is, proving me wrong.

“Thank you for the offer, Allegra, but if I feel anything like I do now, I am going to have to pass,” she replies, a big genuine smile on her face as she snuggles into Nico.

“See how you feel tomorrow?” I ask hopefully.

She laughs, appeasing me with her answer. “I will see how I feel tomorrow.”

My smug smile goes to my brother, who glares at me as if I asked Ocean to sleep with a hundred different men and not to just go dancing. Anyone else would recoil at the look on his face but not me. I know he would never hurt me. Ignoring him, I turn to my mother.

“What about you Mamma? Girls’ night?”

She grins at me. “Girl’s night sounds good, honey.”

Smiling, I settle back into the seat, my thoughts going back to...

Dante.

His memory loss.

My wedding.

We need to figure things out and fast.

Because now that I know Dante is alive.

There is no way I am marrying another man.

Even if the man I love broke his promise and married another woman.

Chapter 21

Luca

Imanage only a couple hours at the office.

What with Vincenzo’s incessant questions and the suspicious looks he throws my way; I decided that I would rather face Caterina. It was ironic really, considering that I hated being in the presence of mywifeand thought I would much rather play in a swamp, infested with crocodiles, than be around Cat. But she was the easier Conti sibling to deal with, and a much better option than having Vincenzo hover over me like the grim reaper – so home was where I decided to go.

After my secret visit with Allegra and her brother, my eyes had been somewhat opened. I was learning very quickly that everything was not as it seemed. Sure, I have had my doubts, but they have been confirmed since my meeting. And only one statement crossed my mind.

Believe nothing. Question everything.

The sun is just about setting by the time I pull up outside the white mansion. When I turn the ignition off, I don’t get out of my car straight away, instead taking a few minutes to compose myself. I inhale, exhale, then repeat, praying for a patience I don’t feel. Over the last couple weeks, I have become familiar with my wife’s patterns, her different personalities and I expectto find Cat borderline hysterical when I get inside. If her many voicemails and texts are any indication of her mental state right now, then I would put money on it. Having never called her back like Vincenzo demanded, I can only imagine the shit storm I'm about to walk into.

Pushing the car door open, I climb out of my Audi before making my way up the marble stone steps. Opening the front door, I step inside, pausing to listen for any sign of Caterina. Downstairs is silent, no pots or pans banging in anger, but I do hear a whiney voice coming from somewhere upstairs. I am somewhat surprised that she wasn’t waiting for me in the entryway, ready to rip into me for ignoring her calls. Oh well. This is better than I expected. Shrugging off my jacket, I move toward the stairs, freezing when I hear her whine a familiar name. By only hearing my wife’s voice and a one-sided conversation, I am guessing she is on the phone.

“You promised, Benito.” She is silent, no doubt listening to whatever Benito is saying before she speaks again. “You said you were okay with me doing this, so why are you acting this way?” she demands, and I move quietly up the stairs, wanting to get closer so that I can hear more. She laughs, but it's humorless. “No. I haven’t fucked him. He doesn’t want me, no matter how much I try. Vincenzo is pushing me to fuck him though. He wants me pregnant.” I cock my head at her admission. Caterina is silent again, no doubt listening to whatever Benito’s response is. “But I only want you,” she whispers wistfully, then clears her throat. “Nonetheless, this is for the greater good. We all agreed.” Silence. “Yeah well, if you didn’t think you could handle it, then we should have run when we had the chance.” I am outsideourbedroom now, peeking through the small space where she didn’t fully close the door. Though I can’t hear what Benito is saying, his voice is loud enough that I know he is shouting. “Fuck you,Benny. If that’s what you want. Go ahead. You won’t find anyone else like me,” Caterina sobs, tears running down her cheeks.

She paces the room, before throwing her cellphone down on the bed and growling. Frustration, heartbreak and pain cover her red, tear-soaked face and I almost feel pity for her. But then I remember what I heard, and that she is as deep into this shit as her brother.

Fuck her.

Having seen and heard enough, I move quietly down the landing and staircase. Reaching the base of the stairs, I tip toe across the entryway, to the door. Pulling it open, I then slam it shut, making mywifebelieve that I have only just arrived home.

Moments later Caterina appears at the top of the staircase, her face no longer the picture of distress I just saw and clear of all tears. She smiles down at me though I can tell it's forced.

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