Page 13 of Fierce Vows

“It is what my Don requests.To be part of his family.”He averts his gaze but it’s not hard to see that he isn’t happy.

“And will you beat your new wife?”I ask plainly.

His blazing gaze connects with mine.“Never.”The vehemence in his tone soothes me, slaking my need to hurt him before he has the chance to cross the line I have drawn for all men in this family as well as the Hernandez empire.“I saw what my father put my mother through.I will not be like him.”

“Good.You will be married on Saturday.”

Rafe chuckles at my proclamation while Suzan and Eduardo sputter.

“I want to have a party,” I muse, cutting off their refusals.“We, as the Gallo family, have a point to prove.And I think a wedding will be a great reason for celebration while your Don is here.”

“Then everything is set,” Rafe adds.“Willow is great at planning these things and will assist with anything you need, Suzan.As for you, Eduardo, if I can offer advice?”

“Yes, my Don.”

“Stay out of their way.Simply show up where and when you are told.”

I slap his shoulder playfully.“You never know, he may actually have some input he would like to add.”

“None,” Eduardo adds.“I will do as I am told.”

With those words, he walks out of the den and closes the door behind him.

“This weekend?Really,” the woman who is now known as Suzan questions.“Why so quickly?”

“Because,” Rafe says quietly.“I need to return to the states sooner rather than later.Eduardo will hold down Cyprus and I need you watching his every move.”

“I’m not sure this is a good idea, Rafe,” she says.

“It’s the best idea!”I say with more enthusiasm than needed.“I will help you plan everything, and you will help not just us, but your husband, keep our foothold in Cyprus.From your previous line of work, I know that you have more knowledge of this business and the men and women that run them than most.”

A blush steals across her cheeks before she nods.“Fine.”

We watch her exit through the same door as her soon-to-be husband before Rafe swivels his chair and snatches me down onto his lap.

“What is going on in that pretty little head of yours, dear wife?”he asks as his lips trace the shell of my ear.“What is this business with a party?”

Grabbing his face in my hands, I kiss him like my life depends on it, like I may never get the chance to do it again.“Like I said, it’s time for us to make a statement.Armand Gallo style.”

And then I proceed to tell him everything.Every last word the wives spoke to me, every secret they held close to the chest for fear of their husbands, and my plan to get this shit straightened out.

“Cyprus is more fucked up than I ever thought,” Rafe complains, rubbing at his temples.

I wish I could say that things will be better after the wedding, but I won’t make promises I can’t keep.

The door behind me slams open, Regina pales as she stands there.

“What’s wrong?”Rafe asks as he stands and lowers me to my feet.

She stares at both of us with pure terror scrawled across her features, her cellphone clenched in her left hand.“Konnor called.”

“Fuck my life,” I curse.“What did he want now?Haven’t we settled this matter?”

Regina sobs loudly and Rafe leads her to an emerald green loveseat beside the French doors that lead to Armand’s rose garden.It takes long moments before she calms enough to speak again.

“Konnor wanted to remind me,” she whispers, rubbing both hands over her stomach.“This baby is not only Gallo but Hennie as well.”

My heart drops to my feet.I know what Konnor wants.What they want.

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