Page 87 of Dangerous Vows

“Hey,” I whisper, already smiling. “It’s me. Are you okay?”

“God, I’ve been going crazy. I’m fine. Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better,” I murmur, glancing over my shoulder. Pietro is still at the counter, pretending not to listen. “But I’m safe. What about you? How are you? Are you being treated well?”

“I’m with the family at the mansion. Everyone has been wonderful. I called in sick this week. They said it’s not safe for me to be out until this is over, but from what I gather, I’m lucky I’m still breathing. I can’t say the same for my sanity. This lockdown is giving me anxiety.”

We both laugh softly, the kind of laughter between best friends that teeters on the edge of sadness.

“I miss you,” I say.

“Me too. How long do you think this war is gonna last?”

“I don’t know.” I close my eyes. “But it’s starting to feel like we’re all pawns in it.”

Before I can say more, the phone buzzes. Pietro is already moving toward me.

“Time’s up,” his tone is gentle but firm.

“I gotta go, Pietro needs his phone, but I’ll call soon.”

“Make sure you do,” she says as the connection ends.

I hand the phone back to him like it’s a loaded weapon.

He answers and walks down the corridor that I assume is his wing.

I glance out the window, and as the sun begins to set, I move into the kitchen to make steak and potatoes. I know Pietro loves cow.

He enters the kitchen and pulls out a bottle of water. His expression is unreadable.

“Where’s Luca?” I ask, walking around him slowly.

His eyes narrow. “It’s not your concern.”

I sink my heels in. “It’s my fault. I set him up. I had to get to my father… he’s making me marry Vukan.”

Pietro’s jaw tightens as if I’d struck him. His voice is low. “That’s the past.”

“Is it?” I press. “Because last I checked, Miloš, Vukan, and my father are still running the show and Luca’s paying the price.”

He doesn’t respond. I know I pissed him off when he turns to me and says, “You are not to mention Vukan in my presence.” His forehead furrows, and I step back in fear. “No other man will ever lay a hand on you. You are mine to fuck, and mine to do with as I please. I’m the only man who will touch you and my cock is the only cock that will fuck your tight pussy. Are we clear?”

For a second, I think he’s about to kiss me, but he storms out of the room and never surfaces for dinner.

The fact that he’s ignoring me pains me more than physical abuse.

The following day,Pietro is secluded in his office when Joseph comes by to drop off dinner—salads, grilled chicken, and a couple of pasta dishes from the family restaurant. I’m happy to see him, and I’m hopeful Pietro will eat with me tonight. I’m wearing capri jeans and a thin sweater that shows off my curves. I even used makeup today in the hopes Pietro would notice me. The blue scarf adorns my neck and deepens the color of my blue eyes.

“Joseph, it’s great to see you. I’m going bonkers walking the house every day.”

“How are you feeling?” He sets the box of food on the counter.

“Better, much better, thank you.” I unpack the to-go meals. “I thought Luca would be here, as a guard,” I interject into the conversation, hoping for a response.

“I heard Luca’s been reassigned to the hunt for Miloš,” Joseph says casually. “They’ve got him running surveillance on one of his known locations.”

My stomach drops.

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