Page 31 of Promise Maker

Francesca stops at an eatery to buy cold drinks.When we exit to resume our stroll, a black SUV screeches to a stop at thesidewalk.

My heart leaps. But Rodrigo seems calm, so I guesswe’re not in danger.

I cringe when Domenico jumps out like a chargingbeast. He’s visibly pissed, but fuck, he’s still so hot, especially when hewears those fitted shirts and pants.

How can one man be so dangerously tempting?

“Nonpossocrederci!” He moves the shades from his face. “What thehell are you doing?”

I shudder from his roar. His fierce eyes arelooking pointedly at me. “I just went for a walk.”

“I told you not to leave the house!”

People on the street glance over and turn away asif used to it or simply minding their business.

Francesca throws her hands up. “Rilassati, Nico. I brought her to get some air.”

He hisses at his sister. “You can do that at ourhome.” He grabs my hand, making my drink fall, as he ushers me onto the backseat. He scolds Francesca in Italian before she hops in beside me.

Rodrigo sits up front.

Furious, Domenico gets in at my right and yanksthe door shut. He doesn’t say a word for the drive back, but I notice the veinsin his neck bulging.

Francesca sucks her teeth when we get out in thecourtyard. “I hope you at least enjoyed the stroll, Solari.”

“I did. Thank you.”

She eyeballs Domenico before strutting off.

“Do I need to lock you in the room?” he grunts,placing his hands at his hips. “You cannot go wandering around. I forbid it!”

My brows fly up. “You forbid it? Am I your fuckingprisoner?”

“Perhaps I should take you to the Martellidungeon. Maybe it will scare you so much you never do this again.”

I gulp, frightened by that reveal. “You have adungeon?” I look around the courtyard. “Here?” Spittle slides down my throat.“Have you tortured people?”

His jaw twitches. “Sì.”

That honest answer stirs a shiver. I ask in a lowvoice, “Have you…killed people?”

Domenico edges closer, expression hard. “What doyou think, Solari? Why do you think your father didn’t want us together?”

I screw up my mouth from annoyance. “Dad must haverun out of people to trust. You’re certainly his last resort because otherwise,he would have never—”

“Well, he did,” Domenico snaps. “So, princess, ifyou want to live, you will follow my instructions.”

Refusing to shrink under his roar, I fill the gapand lift my chin defiantly. “Or I could call the Italian authorities, return toNew Jersey, and solve my dad’s murder on my own.”

His eyes stretch wide.

A homicidal look warps his features.

I cringe when Domenico suddenly clutches my arms,growling near my face, “I told you. I’ll never let you go. This is where you’llstay until my last breath.”

Our closeness is starting to impact my emotionsand speed up my heart.

His gaze lowers to my mouth, and my tongue dartsout to lick my lips.

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