Page 51 of Promise Maker

As much as it disheartens me to dishonor my dad,I’ve exceeded the strength to fight off my years of longing.

I head downstairs, heart galloping as I search thewarehouse for Domenico.

Spotting him by the spirits with an employee, Iwalk over and draw his attention. “Hey, maybe—”

“I’m sending you back to the house,” he cuts meoff with a stern expression. “There’s something that needs handling.”

My mind slingshots to the morning when he appeareddefeated after spending the night torturing and killing. I fear he’ll keepdestroying himself.

“Take me with you,” I blurt out.

He hardens his gaze, visibly irritated. “No,Solari. I’m heading to Catania. Too far from Agrigento, and I won’t risk yoursafety.”

“Why?” I cross my arms and shift to the other leg.“Are you going to kill someone?”

He stiffens his jaw and flicks to the worker.

The man hurries away immediately.

Domenico refocuses on me, and I cringe at howintimidating he appears. “You don’t need to concern yourself with what I dooutside of protecting you, Solari.”

Not backing down, I raise my chin bravely. “Youcan’t help it, can you? Killing is getting to you, but you just can’t stop.”

He moves forward, backing me against the stack ofliquor. “Icanstop. I have control over it.”

“Oh really?” I taunt. “Prove it. Take me withyou.”

A jolt of heat cascades over my body at his lowgrowl. After another few seconds, he tells me, “All right, Signorina Brigham.”He motions with a wave of his hand. “Come along.”

“Hm.” I march past him to the exit of thewarehouse, noticing another SUV has arrived with more guards.

Rodrigo opens the backdoor of Domenico’s car,shutting it once we get in, then he hops in the passenger side.

Domenico calls someone on the way from thewarehouse. He speaks in Italian. I hear the word padre and realize he’s talkingto Mr. Martelli.

He glances at me, utters a few more sentences,then disconnects the call.

“So why are you going to Catania?” I question.

“I told you. Do not concern yourself with this.”

Domenico doesn’t say another word to me for theentire drive to Catania. It’s as if he’s trying to maintain focus, but mypresence is throwing him off his game.

Finally, the SUVs enter a seaport.

Rodrigo readies his guns.

“Stay in the car,” Domenico orders. “I mean it,Solari. It is bulletproof, and frankly, I don’t want you to distract me.”

I huff. “Soyouaregoing to kill people again.”

He pauses on me, his left brow twitching. “Fine.You want me to try to avoid killing? I will.” He grunts in annoyance and exitsthe car, leaving me with his driver.

I stare out the tinted window at Domenico,Rodrigo, and the other guards entering an area with containers.

Having the strong urge to stop Domenico fromfurther darkening his soul, I bustle from the car the second they disappear atthe corner.

“Stop!” The driver hastens after me, but I’m tooquick for him, reaching where the men are standing.