Page 35 of Deadly Vows

“If you’re going to fire me, I’ve already decided I’m going to quit—”

My breathing hitches in my throat as fear I didn’t know existed claws at my insides. My body grows warm in discomfort as my heart pounds against my chest, and I feel clammy in this suddenly too-small office as my husband stands in the doorway with a look of disgust on his features.

I can’t even find words to speak. I just stare at him.

“Quit?” Luca chuckles, shaking his head. “Even in the face of a slummy commitment like this one, you can’t even follow through,” he says, gesturing to the office.

His steel-colored eyes land on me, narrowing as he approaches. He stands out in this environment, and his crisp suit forces me to acknowledge just how much of an anomaly this man is.

“Got nothing to say? Not even a ‘sorry for leaving you for dead’?” he says sarcastically.

My instincts to run kick in, and I’m up from my seat, snatching the letter opener from the desk. The moment I turn to face him, Luca has me in a death grip, smashing me into the wall as his hand grips my wrist, holding the makeshift weapon.

“Drop it,” he growls.

He emphasizes the command by squeezing hard enough that I whimper in pain, my hand releasing the weapon. Luca’s scent suffocates me as he leans in, his warm breath tickling my ear as his hands roam under my shirt.

“I missed your skin,” he murmurs.

His hand moves over my stomach, lingering over my ribs as he trails the healed mark of his possession on my body. He then chuckles, his tongue tracing my exposed throat.

“You thought you could run away from me? Your husband? Your Capo?” His hand drifts higher, gripping my bra as he gently pulls, forcing my breast to slightly pop out under my shirt. Hegently rubs at my nipple as he enjoys the sound of my trembling breaths.

“Your naivete, as always, is endearing. I do hope you weren’t planning on leaving with your cousin. You wouldn’t have lived once they used you to lure me out and give them what they really wanted,” he chuckles.

I tense as he presses himself against me, the bulge of his erection pressing against my stomach.

“All this time, all I could think about was getting you back to punish you for what you did…Now that I finally have you, I only want to bury myself inside of you and never leave,” he groans.

“Please,” I finally manage. It’s all I can manage. I have no clever quip, plan, or hope as Luca reveals why he is the predator in this situation. Luca chuckles, pulling away from me. He releases my breast, his hand shifting from under my shirt to grip my tear-streaked face.

“Save your begging, wife. You’re going to need it,” he says, moving away from me.

“Now, let’s go—”

Luca’s expression shifts to shock briefly as my palm shoots out, aiming for his nose. He dodges at the last second, and I manage to hit him in the chin instead. He cries out, stumbling briefly, but it’s enough for me to move past him and wrench the door open. I’m only a few feet out of the door before hands on either side grab me, flipping me roughly so that I land on my stomach.

I open my mouth to scream, but someone presses a knee into my back, making it difficult for me to breathe, let alone scream. As I struggle, my husband steps through the dimly lit doorway, rubbing his chin lightly, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes as he looks down at me, seeing me as a challenge. There’s a wicked gleam in his eyes, one that I associate with his interrogations. In the past, he’s always kept his expression unreadable. But now hereveals his true intentions, ready to do whatever it takes to make me pay.

He pulls out his gun, kneeling to my height.

“Let me explain to you the severity of your situation. You almost killed me—”

“Good,” I snap. I emphasize my words by spitting at his feet.

Luca doesn’t retaliate, though. He watches me closely, a wicked grin forming the longer he stares.

“One word from me, and a bullet goes in her head.” The words are chilling, falling from Luca’s lips. I know he means it. It isn’t an empty threat. He’ll kill Ari. And he knows that’s the only leverage he needs. I glare at him, feeling my bravery disappear. And finally, I lower my head. I’ve lost. At every angle, I’ve lost.

Luca chuckles, standing.

“Take her home.”

Chapter Sixteen

Elise

Hell.

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