Page 104 of Vicious Vows

“Don’t cry.” I pressed my lips to hers. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Loving me so much that you would put yourself in a position of misery and pain.” I took her hand and brought her to the center island. “The problem with your very flawed plan is I love you so much that I would never send you back to your father. I wouldn’t risk him handing you over to Collins.”

“Even if it meant reuniting your family?”

“I haven’t made something clear.” I lifted her up and sat her on the counter, stepping between her legs. “You are my family.”

Her eyes widened.

“I thought you understood how much you mean to me when I told you I loved you.” I caressed her cheek. “I need you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I didn’t know it was possible.”

“I don’t ever want to be without you but…” She sighed. “It was a stupid plan.”

“Extremely.” Taking her face between my hands, I slowly kissed her. “Getting my father home is not your responsibility, but staying with me and keeping yourself safe is.”

“I would do anything for you.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to me.” I twirled the end of her hair around my finger. “I need you with me.”

Knowing she would risk herself to help me didn’t sit well with me. If Collins got his filthy hands on her again, she might not be as lucky as she was last time. I had to find him and kill him before that could happen.

Another problem that needed my attention.

“Promise me, no more stunts.” I kissed the inside of her wrist. “If you don’t respond to my fury or my punishments, maybe you’ll respond to my emotions. I have too much going on right now to have to worry about you putting yourself in danger.”

She gazed into my eyes and smoothed her hands up my arms and across my chest before leaning in and kissing me. I ran my palms along her thighs and to her waist, closing the small gap between us until our bodies touched.

The kisses were long and slow, tethering us to one another. The connection created a spiritual bond that went deeper than our usual frantic passion. There were no threats in this encounter. No push and pull from either of us. I didn’t try to control her. It was just the two of us revealing our raw feelings.

She draped her arms around my neck and trailed her lips along my jaw.

“I’ve never had what we share with anyone.” She snuggled her head into the crook of my neck. “No one gets me the way you do.”

“We don’t need your father,” I said. “I’ll find another way.”

“I trust you.”

“I need to trust that you won’t leave me.”

“Never,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I told my dad about Miguel.”

That was the least of my problems. I still had to carry out my father’s orders and eliminate Gian while keeping two cartels happy. Protecting the Accetti territory was crucial if my family expected to stay on top.

“Please stick to shopping and makeup.” I smirked. “Let me handle the organized crime department.”

“I want to do more than shop and look pretty.”

“I know you do, and when we’re in a more secure time with my business, I’ll support whatever career choice you decide on.”

My phone began buzzing, and I retrieved it from my pocket.

“It’s Milo,” I said. “I have to take it.”

She nodded.

“What’s up?” I answered.

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