Page 38 of Vow of Sin

I ignore it all. I know they are doing it to keep Nico and I safe. What it doesn’t do is keep Frankie safe from his own family.

Carlos claps his hands together. “I could smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen when we arrived. Let’s see what Camila has made for us.”

Andreas and Carlos stand. Nico and I follow them out of the office down to the dining room where Camila has set out a feast for breakfast.

Sofia is already seated when we enter and I notice there is a mimosa sitting, waiting for me. She always knows exactly what I need when I need it.

I take my own seat and immediately pick up the glass, taking a sip.

Carlos and Andreas rave about her cooking like they always do. I force down a few bites to keep up appearances. My mind is racing on how I can help Frankie under the new circumstances.

It’s probably what Nico planned all along. He kept telling me that being anywhere near Frankie was dangerous. Since I didn’t listen, he decided he knew better than me. Same story, different main character.

I join in the conversation to not draw attention to myself.

Eventually Carlos and Andreas stand to leave. “I’m sure DeLuca is flexing his muscles since Luis is gone. He wants to see how far he can push until you push back.”

He kisses my cheek and follows Andreas out of the door.

I grab Nico’s arm. “I need to go over a few reports with you in the office.” Sofia isn’t fooled with the way her eyes track my moments. It’s not something I can worry about right now.

Nico doesn’t argue. He gestures for me to exit the dining room first. When we are safely behind the locked doors of the office, I turn on him. “Even Carlos can’t pull off that kind of lie. He might not know exactly why DeLuca is after us, but he has to know the amount of arrogance it takes to show up at Luis’ celebration of life.”

He saunters over, unbothered to the bourbon decanter. “About the same amount of arrogance it takes to go to his church and talk to his grandchild.”

“Luis’ son.”

Nico drains the glass. “He might be Luis’ biological son, but he has never ben Luis’ son in the true sense of the word.”

“He might have—”

“Don’t kid yourself. Frankie was a complication to Luis and now it’s a really big complication for us. Hopefully, they won’t find anything out when they dig into the DeLuca family.”

I grip the back of the chair in front of me, my nails digging into the soft fabric. “If you didn’t want them to learn anything then why would you call them.”

Nico drops down into the chair. Exhaustion is etched into every one of his features. “If you won’t protect yourself from bad decisions, then I will find a way to protect you. The only way I can keep you from going back to that church is with more security.”

“Asshole.”

“I’m definitely that.” He pours himself another glass. “While I know you wouldn’t take extra security assigned by me, I also know you won’t tell Carlos no.”

“Well aren’t you a manipulative fucker.”

He raises his glass in my direction. “I always get what I want.”

I leave the room. The man is completely infuriating. I thought I made it clear I was done being told what I can and can’t do. Apparently, Nico didn’t get the memo. I drag my ass to the kitchen, hoping to find something sweet or more wine, either will do.

Sofia is seated at the counter, one of her textbooks open in front of her. She looks up from the notes she’s taking when I walk in.

“Should I get you another drink?”

“Unless there’s more of your mom’s cinnamon buns. Hell, I’ll take both at this point.”

Sofia gets up and brings back a tray of freshly baked buns. After getting two glasses, I get the juice and champagne from the fridge.

I’m halfway through my first drink when Sofia puts her highlighter down.

“Something has changed about you.” She’s watching me closely and I can’t deny it. There just isn’t a way for me to explain it without spilling the secrets I’ve been forced to keep. The rose colored glasses are off and I can see my life for how it really was.

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