Page 30 of Corrupt Vows

“What? No, he—”

“Don’t defend him when you just had a fucking panic attack from looking at him. He deserves to feel the same pain he gave you, so tell me,principessa—” My insides melt when he cups the back of my head, destroying my hairdo, and kneads my scalp as though to tame a wild animal. “How badly did he hurt you?”

“He didn’t.”

“Did he force himself on you?”

I push against his chest.

“Who the hell are you talking about? My fatherneverhurt me.”

He stills.

“Your father?”

I nod and push again, needing to retreat, but he closes his fist in my hair and angles my head so he has a full view of my face.

“You didn’t have a meltdown because of Alfonso Bonnetti?”

Understanding punches me in the gut. He said he’d kill Alfonso. I gasp and fight for oxygen, but his next question steals what little I find.

“Why would you be afraid of your father?”

I shake my head and try to push away, but he pulls my head back and digs his fingers into my hip, grinding me into his lap. The hard length of his cock shocks me into stillness.

“Don’t forget,piccola principessa, I’m not a civilized man. Just because we’re talking doesn’t mean I don’t want to do unspeakable things to you, so be very,verycareful with how you respond to me.Capisci?”

Music thrums through the closed window, but the insulated floors and walls block most of the noise. No one would hear me scream, and even though we’re the guests of honor, no one will miss us until it’s time for our announcement.

He can do whatever he wants with me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. My heart seizes at the feral gleam in his eyes.

“Tell me you understand, Serenity,” he demands with a gentle shake of my hair.

“I understand,” I whisper through the lump in my throat.

“Why are you scared of your father?”

Despite knowing there’s no escape for me, my eyes wander around the room as though a magic portal may open.

“I… I saw—” I stop as bloody visions fill my mind. My bottom lip trembles.

“Does he hurt your mother?”

“No! He would nev—” I cut myself off as I remember the way he looked at me a few minutes ago.

What would stop him from killing his wife if he’s willing to murder his daughter?

“He’s never lifted a hand to any of us, except maybe Giorgio.”

“Then what sent you into a panic attack?”

“The way he looked at me… I saw… he tortured and killed a man in his study when I was eight. I couldn’t sleep, so I snuck out of my room and curled up by his bookshelf. I saweverything. He looked at me the same way he looked at that man, and I couldn’t breathe.”

My chest tightens just thinking about it.

Nico skims his hand from my hip to my collarbone and pulls my head back to expose my throat.

“Don’t fall apart in my lap again,principessa. My control can only stretch so far,” he growls.

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