Page 113 of Deadly Vows

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in,” I say.

Enzo has grown since I saw him last. He’s more toned, his hair short. He’s obviously been a big part of Luca’s world with myabsence. Even his confidence has shifted. He no longer seems childlike.

The day I was taken, we had gotten into a fight because I didn’t want him to be a part of this world. I see now that I can’t control everything, including him.

“I was seeing if you were going to bed anytime soon. It’s past midnight,” he says gently.

I shake my head.

“No…I’m going to wait for Luca to come back,” I say.

Pity laces his expression as he moves to the cushions opposite me.

“Are you okay? I know you’ve been having difficulty adjusting. If there’s anything I can do—”

“Don’t worry about me, Enzo. I’m the older sister. I should be taking care of you,” I say.

Enzo smiles.

“You tried your best,” he says. “But this is what I was born to do. I have to take care of you, Elise. It’s the least I can do after everything our father did—our family has done,” he says.

I nod, but don’t respond. He has really taken the burden of our father’s mistakes on his shoulders. He feels like he has to make up for them.

“You know, you’re not responsible for them, right? They don’t define everything you can be,” I say.

Enzo smiles. “I know. But that’s why you’re so important to me. Even that day was my fault…I shouldn’t have said those things. I should have—”

“There’s no use in looking back now. It’s just you and me. We’re Pasquinos now. All we can do is live up to the name and pray that our family has no more secrets waiting for us,” I say, laughing.

Enzo smiles, leaning against me. I’m shocked at the display of affection, but I slowly wrap my arms around him when I realize his shoulders are trembling.

“I’m so sorry, Elise. I’m sorry I was ever born,” he sobs.

I gently rub my fingers through his hair. “Don’t say that. I’m glad you were born. I always wanted a sibling,” I say.

Enzo’s tears fall harder as he sobs against me. It’s been so long since I saw him last, and he seems much more mature. But he isn’t. He’s still a kid eager to make up for his father’s mistakes.

I pull in a deep breath, cursing my father in his grave. All of this suffering is because of him. I meant what I said to Enzo. We are no longer Trovolis. We are Pasquinos now. If it’s the last thing I do, I won’t let my father’s plot come true. Enzo and I will no longer be his pawns. I won’t let it happen.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Luca

We don’t get back home until three in the morning. We not only had to dispose of the body, but also cover every possible track to make it seem like we were never there. And now that we know who is after us, the clock is running out to do something about it.

“Has everyone been notified?” I ask as we walk into the entry area.

“Yes. Everyone will go radio silent in an hour. They know the channels to watch and wait for,” he says.

I nod as I move past my office, and Romelo follows me up the steps to where Nicolai stands guard in front of the bedroom door.

“How many nightmares?” I ask as I approach.

“Only two. The last one was the worst,” he says.

I nod. “Romelo will fill you in. Wake Enzo, and have him help pack all the data and lock down the house. I want us out of here in an hour,” I say, pushing past him.

The room is dark, and Elise is fast asleep in the center of the bed. She is curled up in a fetal position, her body twitching in her sleep. I gently shake her awake.

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