Page 2 of Vicious Vows

I glanced at my father. He gave me a slight nod, and without an ounce of regret or a second of hesitation, I pulled the trigger and ended the life of the man who had done the same to my mother and unborn brother.

At eighteen, I had become a man.

This hot and vile warehouse was a far cry from the classroom at Princeton University where I should have been studying law as my mother had intended.

My father had different plans for me.

“Marchello.”Lissia’s soft voice pulled me from my memory as she hurried to turn off the overflowing faucet. Water had spilled onto the floor and over my feet. She took a towel from the rack and wiped up the counter and the floor. “Are you okay?”

“What are you doing out of bed?” I helped her off the floor, taking in her lavender tank top and matching panties. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I’ve been resting for hours,” she said. “My head doesn’t hurt, and my feet don’t look so bad today. I’m fine.”

“You were tormented and attacked.” I rinsed the remaining shaving cream from my neck and then dried my face. “You’re not fine.”

“I’m not in any pain.”

I tossed my razor on the sink, trying not to lose my temper with her, but every time I thought about her running off and getting herself kidnapped by someone who wasn’t me, I became enraged. She was lucky I found her. Her actions could have had more serious consequences.

Any trust that we had built between us had been demolished the moment she walked out of the safe house and away from me. I didn’t care why she did it. I didn’t need her protection, and I didn’t want her help.

“Marchello, I’m back with you now.” She touched my shoulder as she gazed into my eyes through the mirror. “I know I fucked up.”

I closed my eyes for a split second and tried not to react to her foul mouth. If I had my way, I would force her onto her knees, shove my cock down her throat, and make her blow me until I felt better.

“I’m sorry.” She held up her hand when she realized her mistake. “I know I screwed up. I acted on impulse, but it won’t happen again.”

“I don’t trust you,” I said.

“Oh.” She looked away from my harsh gaze.

“Can you blame me?” Was she really shocked that she had shattered my trust?

She shook her head, still not making eye contact with me.

“Don’t do that.” I backed her into the counter. “Don’t make me out to be the bad guy.”

“You are kind of the bad guy.”

“Don’t do that either.”

“What?”

“Provoke me with your sassy mouth and your smart responses.” I placed my hands on either side of her, resting them on the counter. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Do you want me to start an argument?” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “Will that help?”

“That’s the last thing I need. I can’t go back and forth with you right now.” I pressed my lips together, daring her to challenge me. “I can’t put you in your place like I want to.”

“Why not?”

“Because twenty-four hours ago, you were being chased in the woods at gunpoint.” I gripped the marble beneath my fingers, cursing myself for allowing her to get into that situation in the first place. “Have you forgotten?”

“That’s what this is about?”

“Do you think I’m going to forget the kind of danger you deliberately put yourself in?”

“Nothing happened to me.” She threw her hands in the air. “I’m standing here with you.”

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