Page 98 of Deceitful Oath

“It’s over, Luxy, it’s over now,” I assure her. Plopping down beside her, I gather her trembling body into my arms. I stroke her back and soothe her as Vince bleeds out onto the marble floors.

We’re definitely moving now.

It feels like hours pass this way, but it must have only been a few minutes when the elevator dings. I panic, reaching for the gun in my jacket but stop when Lux gasps.

“Enzo?” she whispers.

“Enzo?” I spin around to face the elevator. Enzo strides out, flanked by my uncles. They stop in their tracks to take in the scene: Vince lifeless on the floor, Lux and I covered in blood, embracing on the floor of my entryway.

“Guess we missed the party?” Enzo quips, cracking a grin. “Boss, why don’t you ever answer when I call?”

Joe shakes his head, stepping around the kid to check out Vince. Rocco joins him as they double-check his pulse and confirm he’s dead.

“Enzo, not now,” I groan, sinking my face into Lux’s hair to block him out.

“I thought we were buddies,” he continues. “But you only call me when you need something from me. I’m starting to think you’re using me or something.”

“I swear to God…” I snap, but instantly stop when I hear a snot-filled giggle escape from Lux’s mouth.She’s laughing. Enzo made her laugh even though she’s covered in Vince’s blood. Enzo deserves the world.“You’re getting a raise.”

“All I ever wanted was friendship,” he says wistfully, stepping over the blood to extend his hand to Lux. She grabs it and he hauls her up. “But you keep throwing money and cars at me.”

“All right kids, all right, let’s take care of business, shall we?” Rocco asks, brushing Enzo aside. I stand to join them, watching Lux wrap her arms around herself as we all survey the scene.

The laughter from seconds ago is gone again, replaced by a haunted, empty look in her eyes.

“Take care of this?” I ask, nodding at Vince. “I need to take care of something much more important.”

I pull Lux into my arms and practically drag her into the elevator.

“This is the last time you’ll step foot in this place,” I whisper in her ear as the doors shut.

Chapter Forty

Lux

“Where are we going?” I wonder as we speed away from the downtown core, leaving behind the gruesome scene back at the penthouse.

We’re both still covered in blood and I genuinely hope we don’t get pulled over because how are we ever going to explain that?

“I have a few properties,” Rafael answers, checking his rearview mirror. “I usually live at the penthouse because of its location, but I think we both need a break from that place…forever.”

“You’re really going to sell it?”

“Maybe I’ll pass it down to Enzo as a Christmas bonus,” he jokes, turning onto a charming tree-lined side street. This part of town is older, statelier. The townhomes here look grand and charming, like something out of an old-timey detective novel.

He eases the car into a tiny parking spot in front of a large, grey townhome. I marvel at how old it must be, with its hand-carved window trimmings and antique door.

“This is it?” I ask, my voice filling with awe. “It’s beautiful!”

“I thought you might like it a little more than the penthouse,” he says, chuckling. “I don’t really think you’re much of a minimalist, industrial type of girl, are you?”

“Hell no,” I whisper, climbing out of the car and taking in the full sight of the beautiful home in front of me.

“Come on,” he pulls me up the steps and unlocks the door. The home is dark and cool when we enter, but it instantly feels cozier than the penthouse.

“First order of business,” he says, glancing down at our blood-soaked clothes. “Baths.”

“Baths?”

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