Page 1 of Vengeful Vows

CHAPTERONE

Nico

On the farend of the ballroom, I watch as the beautiful, innocent Isabella Calabrese accepts a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

The woman standing next to her leans closer, and she returns to the conversation she’s been having with a group of people.

Perhaps my imagination is playing tricks, but to me she appears disinterested in small talk. Does she prefer long, intimate discussions? Like the ones we will be having?

Regardless, within the hour she will be anything but bored. Instead her lips will be swollen, maybe bruised from the way I plan to devour her mouth, taking, claiming what’s rightfully mine.

When she finds out what I’ve done, she’ll hate me, but by then it will be too late.

She’ll be my wife, her legs spread with my cock buried balls-deep inside her delectable body.

Even more satisfying, she’ll be delivered to my bed by her own brother, my hated enemy.

The image makes me smile.

Once I’ve destroyed Bella the way my heart has been crushed, my revenge will be complete.

As if aware of my scrutiny, she freezes, her spine going rigid.

Her fancy, silver dress is short with a tantalizing, plunging back. My fingers itch to trace the path of the material, and I imagine the feel of her enticingly bare skin against my fingers.

Tonight, her attire is acceptable, and soon she’ll be in my arms, and I’ll draw her close, beginning my exploration of her.

In the future, though, unless she’s with me, her attire will be more circumspect.

Several seconds pass, then she slowly glances over the soft slope of her shoulder.

Do you sense me, my pet?

Though she doesn’t see me in the shadows, her smile, one that could light a thousand candles, fades, and she shivers despite the warm, humid night.

Her instincts are right.

She should fear me, and my ruthless intentions.

Biding my time, I take a sip of a spectacular whiskey the host of tonight’s engagement party has thoughtfully provided.

Nothing but the best for Adriana, Giancarlo Fontana’s only child.

Well, except for thepezzo di merdagroom.

Music from the string quartet softly fades.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” The emcee’s exuberant voice fills the night air, quieting the crowd, as the newly engaged couple and the future bride’s parents make their way onto the stage.

The Sterling Downtown’s ever-efficient staff places a table nearby, then pours bubbly into four crystal flutes.

After introducing Giancarlo, the emcee turns over the mic before stepping back.

“Thank you for coming.”

With a few notable exceptions, me included, the guests respond favorably.

“This evening, we celebrate Adriana and Alessandro, and the joining of our two families.”

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