Page 24 of Fierce Vows

For the mercy of Konnor, who stole her from me, as he promised not so long ago when I didn’t take the enemy on my doorstep so seriously.For the blessings my wife gave me every moment since I stole her from her home.For the friendship the man beneath my hand gave to me.The one at home, and the one at my side who offers no complaint or argument to any order I provide.

And the unknown enemy who walked into my house and took from me ...I ask my father for his grace, and his forgiveness as I place Eduardo’s hand on Luca’s stomach and do as I am bid.

Father, forgive me.I need our house in order and this is the only way I can see to do it.Forgive your son.I am only human.

I receive no answer from Armand, nor do I expect one.

But right now I cannot die.I do not have the luxury.There are lives to save, and penances to exact.One must come before the other, but it is a close thing.And I have many hours on a plane to work out who will pay that heaviest of tolls.

I stare into Eduardo’s face, my gaze cold and closed.“Do not let go, not even when the ambulance arrives.Do you understand me?If he dies, you will also.”

Eduardo’s mouth doesn’t move, nor his eyes flicker, though Suzan’s stifled gasp at my harsh words ripples through me.Willow might berate me, if she was here, but she is not.My calming tool.My peace.

She is gone.

And so I go to war.

****

Ido not drink on theflight back, and we do not land at the regular airfield.Every paranoid trait I’ve held at bay for the past decade washes over me and I utilize every one of them to their maximum, making the phone call I promised myself I wouldn’t make.

Good intentions are only made to fail.

“You can’t stay away.”Dom’s gruff voice fills my ear as I unbuckle my seat belt.The private jet jolts as the wheels hit the tarmac, and I’m up out of my seat before the attendants are ready for me, horror written across more than one pretty face.

I leave a wad of cash on my table that will compensate for their fears later.

“I have problems.”I waste no time with the man who knows me best in the world—apart from the one, perhaps, who took something from me, but who?

Will you kneel?

Konnor’s words will haunt me until I join my father and beyond.

“No shit, you’ve got problems.And they’re spilling over into my fucking problems,” he grumbles.

“Welcome to the world of responsibility,my friend,”I grind my teeth and almost hear Dom’s wince through my phone.

“Stop that, you overgrown gorilla,” he snaps.“Control yourself.”

I would take orders from no one else, but he’s right.Nothing gets done if I have no calm over myself and my plan.

“Regina.Willow.Any news?”Anything?Give me something, my friend.

“Konnor has your sister.”

I drop physically to one knee as a single tear trails my cheek.“And the child?”

“She’s still pregnant and healthy as far as I know.My men have seen her through the windows in his house.Unrestrained.Unscarred.She’s fine, Rafe,” his voice softens, knowing what the evidence means to me.

For today, that’ll do.

“Thank Christ.”I ignore the combined flight attendant’s whispers.

“Indeed,” Dom murmurs.His voice strains at the edges.“Rafe—”

My rage, never that far behind, erupts through the thin membrane of my control.“Which means I left my wife somewhere in fucking Europe.”I slam my fist against the aircraft’s plush interior as the attendant lets me out and backs away, her face drawn and tight.

“Come to the Hernandez residence, please.”Dom’s quiet manner gives me pause.

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