Page 31 of Corrupt Vows

With my mind fully in the present and my senses sharpened from fear, adrenaline, and lust, I cling to his suit lapels and swallow.

He groans and curls forward to run his nose up the side of my throat. I shiver. The hair on my nape rises and goosebumps cover my arms.

“So, your father,” he stops with his nose against the shell of my ear, “the great Matteo Vivaldi,” his breath electrifies my flesh as he trails his lips down my throat, “brought someone into your house, a house with young children, and tortured and murdered him while you were supposed to be down the hall in your bed?”

The soft brush of his lips against my collarbone short-circuits my brain and I nod like a dummy despite his hand in my hair.

“You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Serenity.”

“What?”

“You’re mine now. He couldn’t touch you if he tried.”

My heart skips a beat.

“Promise?” I ask.

His tongue teases along my collarbone.

“I’m the only one who can hurt you now, so there’s no reason to fear anyone but me.” He nips the juncture of my shoulder and neck before ghosting his lips up my throat as he whispers, “All that fear? Give it to me. It’s mine now, too.”

My stomach sours.

“Youwantto hurt me?”

“In the best way,” he murmurs before sealing his lips high on my throat, just below my jaw and over my jugular, and sucks.

My toes curl in my sandals and pleasure-pain streaks up and down my neck. Need flares to life in my core. Molten lava fills my veins.

He lifts his head, groans, and licks over the sore spot before nipping along my jaw.

“I’ll never hurt you like he did,principessa. I’ll never bring my work home. Violence will never enter our house. You’ll be safe with me.”

My breath hitches as I process his words.

I don’t have to ask if he means it. His sincerity shines in his eyes as he meets my gaze.

Tears fill my lashes and drip down my face as mountains of worry lift from my shoulders.

He doesn’t want to hurt me.

“I’m not asking this time,principessa.” His eyes flick down. “These lips are mine.”

I gasp as he lowers his mouth to mine and his tongue takes advantage of my parted teeth. With my defenses stripped away, I give him everything.

He takes. I give him more.

His groan sends a shiver down my spine.

Peace settles over me. My worries may return when I regain my strength, but for now, I bask in the promises he gave me, and for the first time since I visited Camilla in the hospital after her surgery, I don’t feel like I’m heading toward certain doom.

Nico Russo doesn’t hate me. He doesn’t resent me for not being my sister, and he doesn’t want to hurt me.

He wants to marry, protect, and cherish me.

I want that. I want him.

I want to be Nico Russo’s wife.

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