Page 46 of Dangerous Vows

Matteo quietly murmurs, “Consider it done. And?”

“Men like Petrovic won’t stop. I know where she lives. We need to assume he does as well. She won’t last long on her own.”

Matteo hums in thought. “So, what’s the plan?”

I looked toward the window, the city sprawling beneath me like it held all the answers. “She stays with me. Until this is handled.”

“And she agreed to that?”

“Not yet.”

“She’s gonna fight you on it,” he says, and if I were sitting next to him, I know I’d be looking at the smirk on his face.

“She can try.”

Matteo chuckles again, but there is understanding in his tone. “Be careful, Pietro. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“I always do.”

We hang up, but Matteo’s words linger.

Matteo has a guard who will remain closer to her after tonight, but it’s not a solution to the bigger problem. It’s only an attempt to keep her safe, but with Petrovic, there’s no telling where or when he will strike. He and his men blend in and leave no footprints unless it’s on purpose. I wish Renalto were here. He’s dealt with him before. I could use his words of wisdom because I feel like I’m fighting a shadow.

I leave my office, wanting to see Amara. I need assurances that she is safe. After the incident, my eyes were on her, but she dodged me for the rest of the night.

Petrovic is playing offense, while I’ve unwittingly been on defense. But now that he’s tipped his hand, I doubt he’ll return to the club.

Matteo texted me that Luca would be Amara’s protection. He’ll meet me at the penthouse in the morning.

It’s closing time, and I seek out Amara, taking her by the arm, “You’re coming with me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“I’m out of patience, Princess.” My deep voice is low and even. “You can pretend all you want, but I know Petrovic wants something from you or your father. And I’m not playing games.”

Her eyes open wide, like an owl’s prey before it’s caught. I continue to walk her to the back door, where my driver, Joseph, is waiting.

“How do you know who my father is?”

“If you want to hide, you need to do a better job of it, sweetheart. It wasn’t easy. And you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on when we get home.”

The ride to the hotel is quiet and thick with unspoken thoughts. It feels like an invisible wall between us—until she suddenly blurts, “I should go to my place.”

“It’s not safe.” I sit beside her, letting my words settle before continuing. “Petrovic won’t stop at one flimsy door lock. I know where you live. We have to assume he does, too. You won’t last long on your own.”

She turns to me, her eyes searching mine for something—maybe a reason, perhaps mercy.

“You can’t just keep me against my will.”

“I can, and I will.”

She exhales, and I decide it’s somewhere between frustration and exhaustion. But she doesn’t argue.

We roll up to the hotel, and I help her out of the vehicle. We go to the penthouse, and I flip my keycard to her.

“This is your key. You’re to live here until further notice. Your guard will be here in the morning. You’re not to go anywhere without him. His name is Luca, and I’ll text you the number for him and my driver, Joseph. You’reto use my driver, and you are not to go anywhere alone. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” she mumbles as she sinks into the sofa. “But I want separate rooms.”

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