Page 114 of Dangerous Vows

Matteo gives a single nod. “So we lure him in. We end it. And we take back our city.”

And just like that, the trap is set.

Now, all we need is for Miloš to take the bait.

I’m nervous about the plan, but if it works, we’re golden. One can’t reap great rewards without taking significant risks.

A blood-curdling screampierces the night.

Something’s wrong.Verywrong.

I leap to my feet, grab my gun and haul ass to Amara but Arman and I collide as we push to get through the doorway. He backs off, letting me go first.

I scan the room with my gun drawn. I know Arman is behind me, backing me up, weapon drawn.

The sweep of the bathroom reveals nothing amiss.

It’s only then that I can attend to my woman, and she’s thrashing around the bed. I hear her muffled sobs.

I rush in and take her in my arms, and soothe her as she shivers.

“You’re safe. I’m here.”

Her tear-filled eyes reach mine, and my heart breaks. The nightmares I anticipated have manifested.

“It was terrible. I was running, I fell...”

“I’ll check the perimeter,” Arman mumbles as he leaves us.

“Try to think of something else. Something happy,” I suggest.

“I can’t. It felt soreal.”

I hope this isn’t a premonition. Italians tend to be superstitious. But perhaps I want to know what scenario we don’t have a contingency plan for. Either way, I’m on the fence, preferring to believe we have some control over our destiny.

But maybe we don’t. And that concerns me.

“I’ll stay with you,” I say, which seems to comfort her. I slide into the bed and pull her into my arms.

I remember her supple skin, the softness in her caress, the way herlips melt under mine, but I stop myself from remembering more. It’s locked in a vault where it belongs.

It would be so easy to kiss her fears away—to make love to her and tell her we have a plan to end the war. But I can’t cave.

My resolve for justice has my focus. That’s how it has to be, for now.

It’s still dark outside when my sleep-laden eyes open.

Unfortunately, sleeping beside Amara was precisely what I needed. Not that it’s easy to be in the same bed with her and not touch her.

Last night was the first night I slept without waking up with a raging hard-on that kept me up for hours. My energy level is back to normal.

I move gently, being mindful not to disturb her. I stand and watch her chest, which barely moves, as she sleeps. The nightmares are to be expected. I wonder what episode is her worst memory. It must be her father, perhaps, Miloš, who stalks and haunts her the most. I’m not sure.

AMARA

NO ONE IS OFF LIMITS

Ibriefly felt the bed dip when Pietro joined me. I drifted back to sleep and woke up, whimpering in the middle of the night. He held me and reassured me I was safe.

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