Page 63 of Venomous Vows

The room begins to shift on its axis and, suddenly, I don’t feel like drinking anymore. Actually, I want to go back to our room and shove that thought out of my brain.

It would’ve been beneficial for him. I’d never be able to escape our agreement. He had already heard my sister and Celine mention running away from him, thanks to his noisy men.

He wouldn’t.

Why would you say that? This man is insane.

“Excuse me, miss?” a male voice from behind me prompts, and I glance over my shoulder. It’s one of the bartenders who’s been serving us drinks all night and throwing extra cherries in mine because it’s my birthday. “Your sister needs you in one of the bathrooms.”

My eyes practically bulge because the worst comes to mind.

Sliding off my stool, Celine follows me. “I’m coming with?—”

“I got it,” I say, stopping her by her forearm. “Save our seats. I’ll text you if we need to leave.”

Celine stares at me for a second, obviously not a fan of the answer, before giving me a curt nod. “All right. But don’t be long, seriously. I’ll get worried.”

“I won’t. Be right back.”

I pivot toward the crowded dance floor and slide through small slivers of space toward the bathrooms. It feels like forever until I get there, finally finding the pink neon sign for the ladies’ room.

The moment I’m about to step down the hallway, a figure in a black suit slides out in front of me, intentionally blocking mypath. Goose bumps instantly glide over my skin as I gaze up at the body in my way.

And it’s like a jolt of fear and astonishment when I connect with green eyes that I purposely eluded this weekend.

Adrian towers over me with a look of vehemence and fury. I’m struck speechless, unable to move or even blink as he continues to regard me like the little pain in the ass that I am.

I’m not sure how he found me. But Celine’s suggestion rings true and loud in my ears over and over again until I’m barely able to heave in an inhale that my lungs so desperately need right now.

“Piccola diavola,” he says ever so damn calmly that it sets every nerve and sense I have on edge. “Fancy seeing you here.”

My head begins to rock back and forth as if able to make him disappear into thin air.

It’s impossible, obviously. But the fact that he’s standing in front of me like a demon in a perfectly fitted suit has me about running for the hills, for real.

“How?” I ask and I’m not sure if it’s even audible enough for him to hear. I’ve underestimated him—again. I did the same thing when we were kids, too, and Adrian corrected me on that point time and time again.

“We’re leaving,” he deadpans, taking a step forward and making me flinch back in response. He glowers at me then, appearing insulted that I’d react in such a manner, but he’s not supposed to be here.

He’s not supposed to know where I am.

“This wasn’t the deal,” I blurt out loud. “You don’t follow me.”

“No,” he agrees simply. “I wasn’t supposed to chase you around, was I?”

“I’m not running.”

“You didn’t tell me where you were.”

My face twists in irritation. “I don’t need—” Adrian erases the rest of the space between us in one step and his palm is already latched onto my hip in the next second.

“You’remine,” he snarls above me. His green eyes filled with animosity sink right into my bones. “And that means Idoknow where you are twenty-four seven. Especially since someone alreadyattackedyou.”

He’s right.

I could understand why he’d want to keep tabs on me. However, I need some space.

“Adrian, I understand?—”

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