Page 4 of Vengeful Vows

At that moment, my senses go on heightened alert, and I glance across the distance to find Isabella looking at me. Not just looking, studying, as if memorizing my features.

Our gazes meet.

Rationally I know that’s not possible across the vast space, but still, there’s no doubt she’s intrigued by me. Or maybe fearful.

Either way is fine.

If I didn’t scare her at least a little, I’d worry about her even more.

Her friend joins her, breaking our connection.

For the best. After all, Giancarlo evidently said something I missed, and Alessandro’s scowl deepens. “I’m sorry?”

“I was asking if you can join our board meeting this Wednesday afternoon. Two o’clock?”

At Giancarlo’s question, Alessandro clenches his jaw. He’s going to need dental surgery within the year.

“I’ll have my executive assistant confirm,” I reply.

After a few more pleasantries, the Fontanas excuse themselves, leaving me alone with Alessandro once more.

“Not only do I own a significant stake in their businesses…” I open my jacket to extract a sheaf of papers that are neatly tucked into an envelope that I press into his palm. “But I think you’ll find some interesting reading material here.”

“The fuck is this?”

“My guarantee that you will drag your sister down the aisle toward me if necessary.” I like the image, and it makes me smile.

Frantically he looks around to be sure no one sees him slip his death warrant into a pocket inside his tuxedo.

“You have guests to see to, I’m sure,” I tell Alessandro. “If you don’t want your future father-in-law on his knees, bankrupt by this time next week, you’ll play this game by my rules.”

The stench of his fear disgusts me.

With a tight nod, I move past him.

Sergio is not as polite. He starts forward, forcing the man to step out of the way.

Isabella is no longer where she was, and frantically I glance around. Within seconds, I lock in on her. Thankfully she hasn’t gone far. She’s wandered through the doors leading to the outdoor terrace, and she’s standing near a palm, still talking to her friend.

Since the area is semiprivate, it’s the perfect location for Bella’s rendezvous with fate.

For years, I’ve planned for this very moment. And now it’s time for me to sample the fruits of my labor.

Biding my time, I check my fancy Bonds watch and set a timer.

She has five minutes, and not a moment longer, before I adopt my alias of Marcello Donati and destroy her perfect little world.

CHAPTERTWO

Bella

With a secretive grin,my friend Amelia whispers, “That gorgeous hunk of man is heading toward you.”

“No, he’s not.” Even though I shake my head to dismiss her words, my pulse is fluttering in my throat, telling me she’s right.

How I can know that, sense him, even though he’s so far away shocks me.

“He absolutelyis.”

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