Page 54 of Dangerous Vows

“You must have someone you love in your family.” He leans against the kitchen counter behind him, and I feel his eyes on me.

“My grandmother. My mother’s mother is a real sweetheart. She lives in an old condo. She has a potluck dinner every Sunday night for her friends in the building.”

“We’ll need to visit her,” he says.

“I’d love to,” I say, smiling before I realize I might not be here.

I stare into my coffee cup. The muddy color mocks me as it reflects the shitshow of my life. There are no lines drawn in the sand that prohibit my father from doing anything he wants. My world is dark. Between all the lies, deceit, and violence, I don’t know how I didn’t turn out to be just like my family. My life is doomed, and I’m circlingthe drain. I’m running out of time. My father’s sins brought the devil to our doorstep, but I’m the only one who’s paying the price.

I absentmindedly slide my tongue over my lips.

“I think you can put that tongue to better use,” Pietro murmurs as he walks toward me, setting his phone on the table without taking his eyes off mine. I’m relieved for the distraction.

I can’t deny how I feel because making love to him is my favorite pastime.

By afternoon, we leave our cocoon and head to my apartment to pick up my belongings.

“Where’s Sarah?” Pietro asks, and my heart stops.

Damn, he remembers everything.

“She’s out,” I reply quickly. Perhaps I replied too fast. I haven’t thought this out. I’m relieved that her roller luggage and laptop are gone, so she must have taken my advice, and for that, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if someone died because of me.

“Oh, I thought she’d be here so you could see each other.” Pietro’s perplexed face is concerning.

My heart skips a beat. Why is he worrying about Sarah? Does he know more than he’s letting on?

I shrug. “We’ll meet up soon, right?”

“Sure. Oh, I want to take you shopping to get some clothes, on me. Bring only necessities.”

“I don’t need stuff.”

He leans against the window I use to access the fire escape, one brow arched, giving me a look that clearly says,Who the hell am I kidding?

“Fine.” I agree because I can’t argue. I buy my clothes at second-hand stores, and I have to wash them daily so that I have enough for work. And secretly, I’d love to own something new and fitted.

PIETRO

KISSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Shopping with Amara is an exercise in control.

Not mine—hers. She hates being spoiled and hates accepting things that she hasn’t worked for. But today, she doesn’t get a choice.

“You’re here, sir,” Joseph announces from the driver’s seat as he pulls up in front of La Perla. Before she can protest, I open the door and offer my hand. She looks at me warily but takes it, stepping onto the glistening sidewalk.

“I don’t need anything from here,” she protests. The fact that she’s blushing is adorable. It makes me happy to spoil her. I smile. “Good thing I didn’t ask if you needed it,” I say as I steer her toward the sliding doors. She’s adorable, even if she protests too much.

Besides, this is as much for me as it is for her.

A sales associate greets us instantly, filled with polished charm and the kind of practiced grace worthy of a billionaire’s wife. “Welcome to La Perla. How can I assist you today?”

I glance at Amara. “Something in red.”

She huffs. “Black.”

I tilt my head. “Both.”

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