Page 50 of Vicious Vows

“We’ll have to investigate those advantages later.” I lowered my lips to hers and slowly explored her mouth with my tongue. “When you’re feeling better.”

“I’m feeling much better.” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “Cancel your meeting and I’ll show you.”

“As tempting as that sounds, I’m going to have to decline.” I stole a kiss before releasing her and guiding her to sit on the bed. “I want you off your feet now.”

“You’re bossy.”

“I know.” I caressed her cheek. “You like that about me.”

“About your mood…”

“This again?” I turned and reached for my suit jacket that was slung over the chair. “I told you I’ll calm down once we’re home.”

“I just wanted to say that whatever is on your mind, you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”

I kind of do.

“You can talk to me,” she said. “I’m here for you.”

“That’s sweet of you.” I pulled on my jacket and fastened the middle button. “I don’t want you to worry about me.”

It was my job to take care of her. Keeping her safe was my main concern, but protecting her from ever finding out what her father had done was front and center.

“I can be more than the woman you sleep next to every night.”

“What?” I faced her, fighting the urge to yell at her for bringing this up now when I had so much to deal with. “You are more than that.”

“It doesn’t feel that way.”

“You’re wrong.” I dropped down in front of her and took her hand in mine. “I have to focus on my business and concentrate on keeping us all safe, do you understand?”

“That’s why I want you to know I’m here for you.” She squeezed my hand. “I still want to stand by your side, but you’re so conflicted.”

“Can you blame me?”

“I’m here, Marchello. I’m not going anywhere.”

She meant that, but sometimes circumstances were beyond our control. I could lose her in an instant. How would I ever come back from that?

For the past twelve years, I had witnessed the torment and agony my father experienced every day since losing my mother. She died at the hands of his enemy, and he never forgave himself.

“You might not mean to leave.” I stared into her eyes, willing her to drop this.

“I want to understand you. Help me do that.”

I let go of her hand and stood. “Ricardo is waiting for you by the pool.”

“Don’t dismiss me.” She winced and held her side as she got off the bed. “I want to be here for you.”

“Don’t.” I held up my hand. “I can’t do this now.”

“There’s never a right time for you, is there?” She hurried toward the door, but I grabbed her wrist. “Ricardo is waiting for me, remember?”

I kept my hold on her, but I didn’t look in her eyes. Instead, I focused on my gun. The gun I would have to use to avenge the shooting. An act that I would never be able to come back from. How could I allow her to comfort my tormented soul when the very thing that brought me so much anguish would also be the one thing that would destroy us?

“It’s difficult for me to let you in.” I kept my voice low. “But I know you’re here.”

“Chello, we’re here,” Milo called from the other room.

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