Page 48 of Merciless Oath

“It was for me,” I say softly. I glance at her and catch her blushing, clutching her half-empty bottle.

“And I want to hear all the gory details,” Lux announces. “As soon as I get this little monster into bed.”

Alfonso volunteers to put Matilda to bed as well, much to her protests. When Lux declares she has the perfect pink princess room ready for her, she quickly reconsiders and sprints for the stairs.

“She’s a lot like you.” Rafael laughs as they head upstairs, leaving the three of us alone.

“The pink princess thing really sold it for you, huh?”

“I mean,” he pauses, throwing back the rest of his drink, “her mannerisms, her eyes, the way she talks like a little poindexter… it’s all you.”

“She’s a mini-Enzo,” Valentina confirms, her cheeks fully flushed now. “Too damn smart for her own good.”

“Have you told her the truth?” Rafael asks.

“No—” I start, ready to defend Valentina’s choices.

“Not yet,” she cuts me off, giving me a meaningful look. “But it’s going to happen a lot sooner than I planned.”

I grin into my glass like an idiot, filled with joy for the first time in too long. Somehow, over the course of the last few weeks, my walls have broken down—Valentina’s, too.

I can feel us growing closer as that inevitable bond tightens again and we allow emotion back into our lives.Nothing will tear us apart this time.

After a few more hours of stories, laughter, and far too many drinks, we decide to call it a night.

“Unfortunately, there are no more bedrooms in the main house,” Lux apologizes, stumbling to the kitchen with her empty bottle. “But we have the cottage!”

She points out the window to a miniature version of her home perched just a few feet away.

“I’ll show you the way,” Rafael volunteers. “It has its own security system, in addition to the general property system. You’ll be safe there.”

We wave goodnight to Lux and head out into the blustery winter night.

Inside the cottage, it’s warm and dry. A simple kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom frame a tiny living room with an electric fireplace.Perfect.

“Thank you for letting us stay here for the weekend.” Valentina smiles, glancing around the little gingerbread cottage. “It’s lovely.”

“Of course,” Rafael says, heading out the door. “Stay as long as you like.”

Right. Shit. I have to somehow tell Valentina that I’ve effectively kidnapped her and Matilda, and I’m holding them hostage here until this mess is sorted out.

“Enzo,” Valentina calls from the bedroom, breaking me out of my miserable realization. “I need cuddles.”

I laugh at her drunk state and catapult myself onto the bed, pinning her down and covering her face with kisses. When she begs for mercy, I force myself to pull back—although I could spend all day and night kissing her.

“That’s so sweet,” she slurs, pointing to the wardrobe. “Lux left us pajamas and toiletries.”

“Yep, that’s Lux.” I smile, glancing at the beautifully arranged basket of goodies. “She was born to care for others.”

“I see why Rafael became so obsessed with her.”

“Not nearly as obsessed as I am with you,” I whisper, pulling her into a deep kiss. She sighs dreamily and drapes her body over me.

We roll around, making out like teenagers until we’re both breathing heavily. She slides her hand down my body, landing on my very hard dick.

“We don’t have to,” I groan, savoring the warmth and pressure of her hand. “If you don’t want to.”

“What gave you that idea?” she whispers huskily, leaning into nip at my ear. “Was it my hand on your cock or that fact that I’m soaking wet for you?”

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