Page 2 of Corrupt Vows

“And what does a lawyer know about art?” I tease.

“I know everything. I’m friends with a very talented artist, you know,” he murmurs before picking up my coffee and blowing over it a few times then popping the lid back on and wrapping my fingers around it.

“Now take that and go see your sister before your guilt makes the entire coffee shop think I’m a terrible guy for making a beautiful broad like you cry first thing in the morning,” he says as he sits back and lifts his cup to his lips.

“Wow, Alf, that was quite the mouthful,” I huff as I stand. “Thanks, and I’m sorry. See you this evening?”

“I’ll take a rain check. Focus on your masterpiece. I’ll still be here when you finish,” he says.

I offer him a small smile and a nod of thanks before fitting my purse onto my shoulder and waving goodbye.

Sebastian stays right on my heels as I exit onto the street. Busier than when I entered the shop, but still nowhere near as crowded as rush hour, the sidewalk teems with people bustling toward their morning plans. A corner gawker steps toward me, only to dart away when he sees my bodyguard. I glance at my watch and look over my shoulder.

Sebastian gestures to the black car pulling up to the curb. I check the license plate and the driver before slipping into the backseat.

The front door closes behind Sebastian and the car jerks between lanes as the driver navigates the city roads. I filter through emails on my phone and sip my coffee until we reach the hospital.

“Thanks, Tony. I don’t know how long I’ll be inside,” I say to the driver as I unbuckle.

“I’ll be around,” he grunts back.

Knowing there’s no arguing since he’s just following my father’s orders, I shrug and hop out before the car even stops rolling. Both men curse, and Sebastian scrambles to catch up with me as I stride through the hospital’s front entrance.

I toss my empty cup in the trash and ignore the nurse’s station as I head straight to the elevator. Sebastian glowers as a few random people join us, but I stand in the back corner until we reach our floor.

Two meatheads overflow the plastic chairs across the hall from my sister’s room. Not wanting to disturb her if she’s sleeping, I slip through the door and quietly close it behind me.

With the curtains drawn and the overhead lights off, Camilla’s face glows in the green light from the monitor beside the bed. An off-white cast covers her left forearm. Her hand twitches against the sheet, and even without her normal array of rings, her fingers look feminine and elegant.

The fading bruises and lingering swelling covering most of her body make the coffee churn in my stomach, but I drop my purse onto the chair and slip my fingers under her uninjured hand. She twitches again before slowly lifting her lashes and studying my face with glazed eyes.

“Serenity?” she asks.

“Yep, it’s me,mia sorella. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. How did it go?”

Her empty-shell stare terrifies me.

“Are you in a lot of pain? How many pins did they put in your arm?”

She shakes her head and shifts. Pain twists her face. Her bottom lip trembles. Panic grips me and I rush to ensure she’s okay.

“Do you want me to call the nurse? I can—”

“I’m sorry, Senny,” she whispers.

A tear escapes from her lashes and trails down her temple. I wipe it away with my thumb.

“Hey, it’s okay. You have nothing to be sorry—”

“It’s not okay!” Her outburst shocks me into silence. “It’ll never be okay again.” She grabs the front of my shirt and yanks me closer. “I’ve ruinedeverything.” Her sob hurts my chest. “I’m sorry, Serenity.” She shoves me away and breaks down. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

I shuffle backward until I find my balance and step toward her again, but she snatches the tissue box off the tray and throws it at me.

“Don’t say it’s okay! It’s allfucked.” She blindly grabs the TV remote and flings it across the room. “I fucked up everything, and you’re making itworse.” She sweeps her arm over the tray, knocking everything onto the floor. “Vaffanculo!Get out. Get. Out!”

I mash the call button on the wall and hold my breath until three nurses rush into the room. Camilla fights, but the burly brunette holds her still while the blonde administers a light sedative. My head spins, but I don’t breathe until she relaxes. As they ease her onto her back and check her vitals, I reach for the blankets that fell on the floor, but the slim blonde stops me.

“Leave those. We’ll get her some clean ones.”

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