Page 24 of Venomous Vows

“I won’t repeat myself,” he says coolly, alluding that he’s about to pull this whole rug out from underneath me and not continue forward with finding Marcella. “You’re giving yourself to me, Elena, and before I shake your hand, I want to be crystal clear about what you’re sacrificing here.”

“I get it,” I recite back. “I don’t need you reminding me every day of it.”

Adrian nods, then his arm shoots out to clasp his hand around mine and seals my fate. “Then we’re in agreement,piccola diavola. You’re mine.”

7

ADRIAN

I wasthe one who sent the letter from the alleged Disciples.

Call it what you will; manipulative, cunning, absolutely fucking assholery of me to do to my now future wife, but I have plans and Elena will help me gain them.

Two heirs.

That’s all I need from her.

Plus, she won’t embarrass me by taking another man in her bed because I’ll kill him where she stands then fuck her in his warm blood.

I don’t share.

Regardless of this arrangement or not, Elena Rossi will be my wife, which means I won’t be rationing her out to anyone. I knew I had to light a fire under her stubborn ass to get her to agree and it only gave me another reason to get rid of The Disciples since I have my end of the bargain to sustain.

Today, Elena is moving into my home without much complaining and strife. If I’m going to get her sister back, I’m not taking the chance that she’s going to run. In fact, I have a security detail on her at all times so she doesn’t get any ideas.

To make it somewhat easier for her, I stayed out of the way so that she could do whatever it is she needed to and I hear a bunch of assholes knocking into the banister of my stairs and I want to rip their heads off.

“Did you see the circus outside?”

I don’t bother looking up at Zane because there’s no reason for him to be here and I’m not in the mood for his jokes. “No.”

“Thank fuck we have a big house. It looks like she’s moving hers here.”

“That was the plan.” I continue sifting through accounting records for this month as Zane pours himself a drink at the minibar.

“How did you do it?”

I know exactly what he’s asking, but I act stupid anyway. “Do what?”

“Get Elena to agree to be your wife?”

Glancing up at him, I quirk a brow. “You don’t think I’m charming enough?”

“No,” he deadpans before sitting down in one of the two leather chairs in front of our father’s desk. “So how did you do it?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I contend evenly. “She agreed.”

“Adrian, unless you want Elena to make your life a living hell?—”

“She already did and I survived just fine.”

He lifts his index finger off his glass and points it at me. “She’s not a young girl anymore.”

“And I’m not just the heir of the Bernardi heir anymore. Things have changed.”

“Not the animosity between the two of you.”

I lift my shoulders. “She’s getting over it.”

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