Page 80 of Lethal Vows

This time, heat boils my blood. “I amnotmarrying him.”

“Good.” She nods her head.

“Rya,” Crue says.

I put my fork down. “I have to use the restroom. Angel, could you show me where it is?”

I already know where the bathroom is, but she excuses herself anyway.

“Of course.” She gets up, holding her belly as she does. We walk from the kitchen, and I hear them arguing in Italian. I know every word. I speak it fluently.

“Get me out of here,” I beg, gripping her arm.

“I know she comes off gruff, but I promise she is a good woman. She’s just emotional because she’s getting her first grandbaby, and there’s a lot of pressure on Crue right now from the families in Italy. Don’t worry about what she has to say.”

“I’m not. It’s why I want to leave. It was just supposed to be sex,” I tell her.

“And you’re certainheknows that?” she asks, walking toward the elevator. She punches in a code, and the doors open.

“I have made it abundantly clear,” I snap at her. When I see her wide eyes, I’m quick to apologize. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay. I’ll give you a five-minute head start. But his phone will alert him the moment the elevator has been used. I’ll try to buy you more time.”

This time I give her an appreciative hug.

Because, fuck me, I fell for it again.

This back and forth between me and Crue.

This constant dance.

And I yet again find myself on the run.

CHAPTER52

Crue

My phone beeps as Angel shuffles back into the room. She walks over and touches my shoulder. “The baby is kicking. Here, feel it.” She reaches for my hand and places it on her belly. I sit there awkwardly and wait. “Oh, she must have stopped.” She giggles before she returns to her seat and says, “Rya won’t be long.” And when she says it, her face reddens.

My phone beeps again, and this time when I check it, I see it’s a notification from my elevator. I look up to see Angel nervously stuffing her face with food. And that’s when I see Rya on my screen—she exits the elevator and walks to a waiting cab outside.

“Angel?”

“What? She’s my friend.”

“What happened?” my mother asks.

“You scared off my future wife, that’s what,” I growl at her.

“She won’t marry you, that one. She wants the American dream of riches and work. She doesn’t want what you want.”

“You will accept her, Mother, or I’ll cut you off as well.” I push up from the chair and stride to the elevator, Dominic quickly following.

“Maybe this isn’t so smart. She hasn’t warmed up to the idea, and time is ticking.”

“I don’t want to marry anyone else but her,” I tell him.

“I get it, I do. But—”

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