Page 57 of Sworn to My Heart
Luca takes my hand and guides it over his hard, prominent erection. I’m tempted to keep touching him, but I muster all the self-control left in me and stand my ground. At this rate, he’ll take over every part of my being.
“My body is not yours. It will only ever belong to a man who truly wants and respects me. Who knows, maybe I’ll find him tonight,” I retort sharply pressing his buttons, turning and heading inside the house as I hear him roar from behind, “Where exactly are you going tonight?!”
If I keep playing these games with him, one of us might really end up dead. But now that I know I’ll be staying here, I can’t keep being the damsel in distress. I want him to start respecting my opinions and needs.
I don’t have any actual plans for the evening, but judging by his loud roar, I probably will go out tonight. I can enjoy myself with Cora and know that he’s going crazy at home because of me.
It’s only fair since I’m going nuts for him. What’s happening to me? I’ve never felt this way before.
I quickly head up to my room and lock the door, so he won’t decide to storm in suddenly. I won’t be able to resist him if he comes in; I’ll give in like I always do.
I peek out the window toward the pool, and it looks like they’re gone already. They must be planning something else, causing more trouble.
I smile to myself with pride. I won this round. Maybe I really do fit into this madhouse after all.
I untie my bikini top, letting it fall to the floor. The shimmer of the oil on my skin makes me look more radiant than usual. Yes, I’m definitely going out tonight, I decide and text Cora.
We’re going to the club tonight. Be ready at 10. I need to unwind a bit and teach Luca a little lesson ;)
11:30 AM
My phone vibrates before I can even put it down.
What did my brother-in-law do this time? Did he approve this? It’s a great idea to celebrate your safe return home!
11:30 AM
I type back to her eagerly, a smug smile spreading across my face. Of course, he knows, he’s fully aware. I chuckle to myself. I make my own decisions, not him. He already knows I can take care of myself.
All set. I’ll come to your place to pick you up with Graham tonight.
11:31 AM
Her confirmation doesn’t take long, and I know she’s chuckling to herself on the other side of the screen too. She called me last night when I was in bed with Luca. Mariano had fed her a big lie about what happened during the mission, saying that everything went smoothly, and they managed to get rid of the Russians, so Luca didn’t punish me. I roll my eyes at the thought. Without me, who knows if they’d even come back alive?
Cora almost cried on the phone when she heard my voice and realized we had all returned safely. I will find the right time to tell her the truth; she deserves to know more than anyone, but she’s also the one I’m most afraid to confess to. Will she hate me for keeping it from her? Will she fear me? Or worse, will she disappear from my life? The brothers are crazy enough to go with my story, but what about her?
I move to my closet, flooded with thoughts, and pull out one of the cocktail dresses I borrowed from Cora’s wardrobe.
“Luca’s really going to lose it this time,” I mumble to myself as I look at the revealing black mini dress, a small pang of regret prickling at me, but I quickly shake it off. This is not the time to second-guess myself.
I hang the dress over the round full-length mirror in my room, find matching heels, and place them on the floor next to it. Tonight, we’re going to have fun just like we always do, I reassure myself. Jumping back into my routine with Cora is exactly what I need. She’s always what I need to bring peace amidst all the raging storm around me. If only she could truly understand that.
I glance at the clock, it’s almost noon. There’s still plenty oftime until evening, and I don’t want to go downstairs and run into Luca again; I’d regret everything in a second.
I sigh lightly in defeat, sitting on the edge of the bed, pondering how to spend the day. I can’t swim with Luca’s men possibly still hanging around the apartment. It’s been so long since I swam freely without the fear of being caught.
My city beneath the water lies deep in the ocean, and the pod doesn’t surface without a plan or venture close to the shores for fear of being caught by humans or another dangerous pod. Maybe I can swim cautiously in a nearby beach area, making the most of this warm day in the way I love most.
I remember the gentle feel of tiny water bubbles against my skin as I swim swiftly through the water. A familiar sting of longing rises in my chest, and memories of home flood me once more—the ocean currents, the pods of dolphins I used to race with as they passed by our home.
The sea is an inseparable part of me, and it always will be. I need to find a way to escape this marriage and reclaim my freedom. Yes, I’ll go for a swim today, I decide firmly.
I pick up the bikini top from the floor and tie it back on, throwing a light white beach dress over it. I head downstairs, determined.
As I walk toward the door, I notice one of Luca’s men standing by it, speaking into his earpiece. I ignore him and move past, opening the door.
“Alin, where do you think you’re going like that?” Luca’s voice suddenly emerges from behind.
