Page 104 of Poison Vows

My eyes widen in shock. “W-what? Me?”

The gentleman patiently nods. “Yes, Young Miss.”

“You want me to come with you? To where?” I ask as the sirens blare in my head.

“To get ready, Young Miss.”

“I want to speak with my father,” Giovanni suddenly demands, all the while glaring at me. “Whatever’s going on, it will have to wait.”

“Uncle,” Vaughn grits out. “Have you forgotten what’s at stake here?”

The glare between uncle and nephew is enough to freeze over the entire Atlantic Ocean, but from what I can deduce, Vaughn, his father, and Giovanni are all working together… but something is wrong with Giovanni.

“I’m more aware of what’s at stake here! This reject of a child should get the hell out of here! She’s not fit to be your wife, let alone an Easton! I forbid it!” Giovanni blows up, his face red as if it’s about to burst. “I’ll get rid of her!”

Just as Giovanni goes to grab my arm, with a murderous intent glowing bright in his eyes, Ty steps between us like a solid fortress falling in place.

“Mr. Giovanni, I advise you to calm yourself,” Ty speaks in a deep, somber tone that I’ve never heard from him before. “Or I’ll be forced to retire you.”

That wasn’t a threat… a quick glance to Vaughn shows that Ty’s words have an effect that’s at par with Ripley.

Blunt. Irreproachable. An oath of unimaginable violence.

Ripley also looks to Giovanni. “Please attend to the matters at hand.”

“I want to speak to my father, right now!”

Ripley doesn’t bother responding, he only looks at me. “This way, Young Miss.”

Vaughn frowns again at the way Ripley talks to me, but he doesn’t say anything.

With an angry huff, Giovanni turns on his heel and marches out the room, followed by his brothers and Senator Hughes.

As soon as Giovanni is out the room, Ty turns around to face me and bows his head and stands aside.

“Young Miss, please, come with me,” Ripley repeats. “Time is of the essence.”

He turns to Vaughn as well. “Mr. Vaughn, please go attend to your business.”

And with that, Ripley gestures his hand for me to walk ahead of him.

I look at Vaughn’s excited but slightly worried expression and then to Ty who looks impassive about everything.

What’s going on?

“Ty…” I start.

“Yes, Young Miss,” he says, stepping forward as if ready for anything.

“Where are we going?”

“He wants to talk to you,” he answers gently.

“Who?” I croak. “Grandpa Armando?”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“Me? Alone? With that dangerous old man?”

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