Page 20 of Venomous Vows

“Why?” he presses back. “It’s not as though it’s going to be a love match.”

Facts.

All day, every day and this is where the wall has to come up and the business has to ensue. I need Adrian for his power and he needs me for an heir.

There is nothing else we need to discuss or adhere to.

It’s a deal. And a very shitty one at that, but one that’s going to get my sister back.

“Well, that answers and sets my nerves at peace,” I release. “I accept your proposal.”

“What sets your nerves at peace, Elena?” Adrian coerces, and the more he talks, the more I notice hownotasleep he was.

“The fact that you’ll have your whores and, if it serves me, I can have a side piece of my own.”

A mirthless rumble activates on the other line and I ground my teeth for his response because I already know the answer. “That’s not going to happen,piccola diavola.Unless you like that sort of thing.”

“What sort of thing?”

“Me coming home to you with blood all over my hands.”

A violent shiver jostles my frame and it’s hard not to imagine what that would look like. How his green eyes would look as he strode toward me in all his cocky glory from killing a man who ever dared touch me.

His soon-to-be wife.

“Be careful, Adrian,” I warn carefully. “Your crazy is showing.”

“There’s nothing crazy about safeguarding my wife. If we said our vows, there would be nothing stopping me from exercising my right to thetill death do us partline.”

“You know damn well that’s for the bride and groom.”

“Then I’ll need the priest to be a bit more specific.” I shake my head and steadily inhale to relax my nerves. “What can I do for you, Elena? This is a little late for a social call. And I dare not ask youhowyou got my phone number.”

“I agree with your terms from earlier. However, I do have some of my own.”

“This isn’t a negotiation,” he returns solemnly, but after a beat says, “However, I am open to hearing them.”

“All right,” I begin, pushing my cheek out with my tongue because I have nothing written down. “Well, I have?—”

“Meet me for lunch tomorrow,” he cuts in, resetting my temper back on full. “I don’t discuss business over the phone,piccola diavola.”

“Not even for your futurewife?” I gripe, tapping my foot on the hardwood floor of my living room. He might not want me near silverware because that includes a knife and a fork.

Shoot, maybe I’ll go crazy and use a spoon somehow.

“Especially her,” Adrian rebukes. “I want nothing lost in translation and need you fully sound when we discuss business.”

I hate this man so damn much it literally hurts.

“Iamfully sound.”You dumb, cocky, freaking idiot.“Let’s just get this over with?—”

“You’re upset, perturbed, and back on your bullshit high again, Elena. When you can talk without snapping every two seconds, I’ll listen. But right now, I’m busy. And, like I said, I don’t discuss business matters over the phone.”

“Fine,” I relent, ready to place down my phone before I toss it across the room. “Where?”

“I’ll text you the details. Good night—” And then I hang up the phone.

6

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