Page 56 of Crushed Vow

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He leaned closer. “Cassian signed the divorce papers. Surprised? I didn’t think that bastard ever would.”

My throat clenched. That shouldn’t hurt—but it did.

“Now that you are officially free to marry me,” Luca said, grinning with the smug satisfaction of a man who thought he’d already won. “The wedding’s next week. Until then... you stay here. Locked up, like the priceless little vault key you are.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Why? Why do you have to lock me up like I’m property?”

“Because if I let you out, you’ll run back to Cassian. And I can’t have that. Once we’re married, you’ll have more freedom.”

“Go to hell,” I whispered.

He only smirked. “You’re cute when you’re angry.”

Then he stood and left.

When the door slammed shut, I rushed to the stone and dug out the device.

“Cassian? Are you still there?”

Brook’s voice came through. “Keep it on. We’ve located the building, but we need the exact room.”

My breath caught.

“Okay,” I whispered.

The door slammed open again.

“I heard voices,” Luca said, stepping in.

Panic seized my chest.

“No, no, please—”

“Hand it over,” he growled.

I hesitated too long. He yanked the device from me.

He examined it, his brow furrowed. “How the fuck are you using this?”

Then into the mic, he sneered, “Cassian, is that you? Speak, coward.”

Without waiting, he hurled the device to the floor and stomped on it until it was nothing but wires and dust.

He turned to me, eyes blazing. “You’re really testing my patience.”

He raised the gun at Ethan again.

I threw myself over Ethan’s fragile, bleeding body. “Please, don’t,” I whispered, voice trembling. “Please, Luca. I’m begging you. He’s not a threat. He’s not even conscious half the time. Just leave him alone.”

Luca’s boots stopped inches from my head.

I couldn’t see his face, but I felt him watching us. Felt the sharp edge of his silence slicing through me. I didn’t move.

His hand twitched at his side. For a second, I thought he might still pull the trigger.

“Luca...” I whispered. “Please. I’m begging you.”

The silence stretched.

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