Page 30 of Vow of Sin

“The fuck we are. We almost got killed earlier. We’re—” he gestures his finger back and forth between us “—not leaving this fucking house.”

I keep my gaze on him as I walk across the thick carpet to the other side of the desk. “Yes, we are. The only way they know they didn’t scare us is by showing our faces. You know that, or did you forget?”

He slams his hand on the desk. “I didn’t forget shit. I said we’re not. Not I’m not.Youaren’t going anywhere.”

This man, with his dark hair and eyes knows exactly how to piss me off at every turn. He’s not getting his way this time. I roll my shoulders back and stand straight to my full height. While I’m considered tall for a woman, my stature doesn’t begin to match his. He hasn’t bothered to get up from the chair.

“I will not be kept in this house while you run around pretending you’re in charge. We are partners. We both go,” I shout, matching his tone.

“No,” he says with finality and turns back to the computer. He’s done arguing. Well, so am I.

“Fine. You can stay here and pour over the computers. I’m going to Fish Fry at the Italian Club in Queens. Sofia and Camila will be joining me. Don’t wait up.”

I leave the room and go in search of Sofia to see if she’s ready to leave.

I find them waiting for me in the foyer. Both dressed and ready to go. I pick up my purse and keys, my hands tremble a bit as I wrap my fingers around them. Sofia takes them from my hand.

“I’m driving.”

The heels of Nico’s polished shoes echo as he storms down the hall. Even though I hear him coming, I don’t race to get out the door. I know he won’t let us leave without another fight.

He snatches the keys out of Sofia’s hand the moment he reaches us. “No one is going anywhere.”

‘Yes, we are.” Without thinking, I lay my hand on his arm. “You know we have to.”

He runs a hand over his hair. “This is fucking insane.”

“Yes, but it’s what we do to survive. We show them we can’t be taken down so easily.”

He sighs. “I think Luis’ beliefs might have rubbed off on you a little too much.”

I don’t want to think about Luis rubbing off on anything after everything I learned about him. “What’s it going to be?”

He glances at the expensive watch on his wrist. “Give me five minutes and we’ll leave.” He glares over at Sofia. “I’m driving.”

He storms off in the direction of the stairs. Having won the battle, I wait like he asked.

Sofia leans in, away from Camila who is standing closer to the door. “I can feel the tension surrounding you both. You know today scared the shit out of him, right?”

“Of course, having your car run off the road would scare anyone.”

She shakes her head. “That’s not what I mean. You getting hurt scared the shit out of him. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you.”

I scoff and begin digging through my purse. “He gets everything if I’m out of the way.”

“He may have wanted the heads of the family to let him take over, doesn’t mean he wants anything to happen to you to get his way.” She grabs my hand to force me to focus on her. “I saw the way he watched you on the drive home.”

I start to argue only to be stopped by the sound of footsteps approaching. She glares at me as Nico opens the door gesturing for us to lead the way.

Somehow, Camila convinces Nico to let her drive, which leaves the two of us riding in the back and Sofia in the front. At least this time she can’t watch us through the mirror without being obvious.

Camila pulls up in front, stopping at the valet. They step out of the car and move to the side, waiting for us. My eyes dart around, looking for any sign that someone might be here to finish the job. Nico must notice my trepidation. He steps out of the car and reaches back inside, giving me his hand.

With trembling fingers, I slip my hand into his, ignoring how it makes my heart speed and my nerves calm. I climb out of the car and follow him inside, reminding myself the only reason he offered is for solidarity. We have to keep up appearances. Although, I’m not sure what appearance it is when the widow and best friend are holding hands.

We reach the hostess stand and I see Sofia and Camila being led to a table already. I start to follow, but another hostess stops me.

“She said that you wanted a separate table please follow me.”

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