Page 40 of Venomous Vows

However, I don’t want to continue with the back and forth and this subject of conversation.

“Things are fine,” I retort with a dismissive wave of my hand. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.”

Marcella and Celine don’t peel their eyes off me, searching and debating if I’m explaining the whole truth or not. I know I have to put my best act on, but it’s going to be the hardest one of my life.

“We can run away,” Marcella offers, lowering her voice a tad. “I know you don’t want to do this. Months ago, I was complaining about how you weren’t dating and neveroncedid you mention Adrian Bernardi.”

“It happened quickly,” I reply, forcing a smile from my lips. “And he just so happened to have the means to help when you were?—”

“You made adealwith him,” my sister clips, stealing a look at Celine for help. “That’s how these things work. The mob doesn’t justmarryrandom women.”

“They do all the time.”

“Yeah, forsomething.” Marcella glances back at me. “You don’t want to do this because you’re running a business and this means possible heat on yourlife, Elena. This isn’t a game. You’re putting a target on your back.”

My stomach knots a bit. “I’ll be?—”

“Don’tsay fine,” she snaps, bowing her head into her chest. Marcella is getting upset, and this isn’t what I wanted. “You can’t lie to me. I know you like the back of my hand. I got you into this. I’m going to get you out.”

I frown. “You didn’t kidnap yourself. And it’s not like I’m going to prison.”

“You’re throwing yourlifeaway. This isn’t what you wanted. This is madness, Elena. No normal person does this.”

I straighten my spine against her truths because, again, I don’t have any control over this. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it. I saved my sister. That was mywant.

Now I have to help Adrian with his.

“This isn’t the way I wanted to spend the day,” I vouch simply, attempting to re-steer the conversation. “I’m trying to make the best of this. Adrian will treat me well.”

“I don’t know him,” Marcella starts haughtily. “And he’s amobleader, Elena.”

“I know what he is.”

“He’s a killer.”

“You don’t know that.”

“And now you’re going to get wrapped up in some crazy shit because of Dad’s mistakes.”

“We can’t do anything about that now, can we?”

“This is bullshit, Elena.” Marcella’s spine hits the back of the chair. “Since when do you sit there and take it? You’ve fought for everything you have. You’ve busted your ass.”

My eyes narrow because I don’t need the pep talk right now. “Fully aware of what I’ve done.”

“And you’re just going to throw your life away for mine.”

“It’s called a deal, Marcella.”

“Deals are broken every day.”

“She’s right,” Celine replies softly, leaning over her knees so she isn’t overheard by Adrian’s muscle. “This is dangerous,Elena. We don’t know what’s going to happen and if this Adrian guy is putting on a front. This isn’t one simple action but years of your life that you’re giving away. I know you said you know this man, but you haven’t seen him in years. Marcella and I understand why you did it, but?—”

“What will you have me do?” I chime in, flexing my fingers to try to stay calm. “You want me to run away? From the mob? You’d rather me get on thebadside of the mob than lie right at the top of it with my husband as the leader?” I rock my head back and forth because I’m right and they’re wrong. No matter how much their fears are in the right place. “He could kill me.”

Marcella glances over at Celine and remains silent for a moment before she utters, “Celine has a brother.”

“The one who lives in Oregon, remember?”

---