Page 40 of Brutal Vows

She mutters something under her breath that I can’t quite catch, but I decide to let it slide for now. Gia is unaware that I’ve been meticulously tallying her offenses, and after the ceremony on Friday, I’ll be calculating the full extent of her transgressions. She’ll be paying the price, on her knees with my belt snug around her neck while I shove my cock down her tight throat.

“What are you going to do with him once he’s better?” she asks, her eyes fixed on the blur of the cityscape whizzing past the car window. My little deer hasn’t met my gaze once since I led her out of the dimly lit warehouse. I can sense the turmoil within her—a part of her is devastated that her brother didn’t come back for her, despite being fully capable. Yet, she also understands on some level that he was trying to protect her. It just didn’t unfold as he had hoped.If I hadn’t intervened, she would have perished out there, and he might never have realized.

All his efforts to secure her freedom would have been in vain.

“Dante will decide where he will be useful,” I tell her. There is no need to sugarcoat the reality of the situation. Her brother, Elio, will be working off his penance with the Romano family here in Seattle. “If he works hard and proves himself, he’ll earn the status a man of his lineage is entitled to.”

I watch her reaction closely from the corner of my eye and notice the subtle furrowing of her brow. She doesn’t like my answer. Yet, she knows all too well the limited options that remain for Elio. He can’t return home; it would only put his mother in danger, and I can’t afford to let him roam free. I doubt he will make another attempt on my life again. We only caught him because he slipped up after I let it be known over the dark web that I had Gia. Elio isn’t a trained assassin. He was simply a man caught in a desperate situation, trying to do what he could to ensure his sister’s safety, and made a deal with the wrong person.

There’s no blaming him for that.

Now it is time for mypiccola cervato hold up her end of the bargain. If everything goes according to plan, she’ll get more time with her brother at another time. Once he’s proven himself. Until then, I’ll make sure they keep their distance.

“Thank you.” Her words are a gentle, vulnerable whisper that hangs in the air. There’s no need for clarification; her gratitude is clear, and I acknowledge it with a silent nod. I slide out of the driver’s seat and walk around the vehicle to open her door.

Silence envelops us once more, yet it carries a softer,more comfortable quality this time. As we make our way to the underground parking garage connected to McDonough’s, the silence morphs into something almost friendly, like an unspoken understanding.

“Welcome back,” Matthias greets us warmly as we approach the long wooden table. He balances a fork in one hand and cradles his baby girl in the other, her tiny fingers playfully tugging at his collar. It’s a striking image: one of the most feared Bratva leaders in the world, his stern face softened as he makes silly faces at her between hearty mouthfuls of corned beef and cabbage. “How did it go?”

“Better than expected,” I reply, pulling out a chair for Gia so she can sit close to me. Matthias had mentioned on our way here that Thomas would be arriving within the hour. I’ve noticed the way Gia’s eyes widen and her skin turns a shade lighter each time his name is mentioned. Her usual warm caramel Italian complexion fades, betraying her fear.

“Elio is in good hands,” Dante assures, directing his words to Gia with a voice as steady. His eyes, deep and unwavering, lock onto hers with a promise of safety. She holds his gaze, her breath hitching slightly before she gives a small, tentative nod, acknowledging his promise.

The corner of my lips curves upward as Matthias glances at me with a knowing smirk, his eyes gleaming with shared secrets. Gia is the reason Elio isn’t facing the grim fate he deserves. Without her, he would be lying in the cold, damp earth, buried beneath layers of soil, tangled with the roots and crawling with worms—a resting place he would share with many others who dared to cross me.

“Here you both are.” Nan, Liam’s mother, beams as she hands me a plate, her eyes crinkling with warmth. The plate is a small mountain of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes,the savory aroma wafting up to greet me. She places an equally heaped plate in front of Gia, whose eyes widen like saucers at the sight of the generous serving.

I lean closer to Gia, lowering my voice to a gentle whisper so only she can hear. “Eat as much as you feel comfortable,” I reassure her, mindful of her past struggles, but I won’t embarrass her by highlighting them. “It’s alright if you don’t finish.”

I glance at the towering portion Nan has given her, skeptical that she can conquer it all. I’d be content if she just managed to make a noticeable dent. I’ve been cautious about her portions lately to avoid any discomfort or complications from overeating, given her recent malnutrition.

“Thank you.” Gia smiles up at Nan who gives her a warm smile in return.

“Alright.” Liam clears his throat, the sound resonating through the room, commanding the attention of everyone seated at the table. “Let’s get down to business.”

“To defeat—the Huns,” the twins chorus in perfect harmony, their voices ringing with playful mischief. They erupt into laughter, the sound echoing off the walls, as their father lets out an embarrassed groan, his hand dragging down his face in exasperation. Ava, who is seated between them, shakes with laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Even Matthias allows a small, amused smile to crease his usually stern demeanor.

“You need to have been there” Matthias trails off, his voice hinting at a shared family memory. “They got one good laugh at dinner a few years ago, and now it has become their perpetual joke.”

“It’s a good joke,” Seamus insists. Liam rolls his eyes, a gesture that speaks volumes of a father’s long-sufferingpatience.

“The first few times, son,” he says, his voice tinged with teasing affection. “But now I am wondering if I ever dropped you on the head when you were a baby, and this is my penance.”

“His headisa bit more lopsided than mine,” Kiernan points out with a chuckle. He ducks his head to avoid the roll that Seamus lobs at him.

“Fuckingjackeen,” he mutters good-naturedly.

Liam shakes his head and holds his hands up. “Settle down.” His booming voice causes the twins to straighten in their chairs, but the gleam in their gaze as they eye one another tells me their antics are far from over. “Thank you. Now—” Liam shifts his attention to Gia. “We need a plan.”

“You’ve already said we should land near Pienza,” Adrian speaks up from the end of the table. My brothers have been quiet during most of the conversation, but they are attentive listeners. They know this is something I need to take control of, and they are more than happy to let me take the lead.

That is how we have always worked. None of us rule over the others. We work together, using our strengths and taking the lead when necessary. It is my turn to take the reins. Gia nods her head, swallowing the bite in her mouth before answering.

“Pienza is a town with no mafia loyalists,” she informs us. “If we can alter the flight manifest so we don’t raise any red flags on landing, no one will run to Salvatore or my father.”

The twins trade a look before asking, “Why do we need to alter the manifest?”

“Because my father keeps track of all inbound and outbound flights from every airport in the region.”She shrugs as if it is commonplace for this to occur. “If he sees any of your names, he will know something is wrong.”

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