Page 30 of Bound in Promise

Her lips part, a retort about to roll off her tongue.

But she’s in my world now. There are no sparkly rainbows, no second chances.

Liam took what was mine, touched her, and was possibly going to murder her.

He disrespected me.

And in my world that demands a response.

“Say something, princess,” I plead.

“What do you want me to say?” she asks, her tone chilly. “You’ll never hear me tell you to kill someone.”

If that’s the case, she’s really not going to like my plan for Angelo. I know she comes from a life of privilege, where the dark shit happens behind closed doors, but I’m the monster who lives behind those doors and feeds on the shadows.

“I don’t expect you to,” I assure her, sinking into those lake blue eyes. “I just don’t want there to be any secrets between us. I don’t want to do something and have to lie about it later. Not to you.”

She bristles a bit at that, but I know it’s just her pride that’s pricked.

However, nothing is going to change my mind. I’m well aware that talking to me can be like talking to a brick wall.

“Give me a kiss and let’s go to bed.”

“No,” she sasses. “I don’t kiss murderers.”

Fair enough.

“But you fuck them,” I remind her. Once at that dumpster fire of a house wasn’t enough. I’ve wanted to have her several times over since, just to make sure I’m not still living in the nightmare.

The only reason I’ve been able to restrain myself is out of concern for her injuries. Injuries she suffered in Liam’s care.

“You saved me.”

“And I’ll continue doing just that,” I answer. “But I might not get so lucky next time. Not if we let the people who threaten us go free.” Every action comes with a consequence, and these consequences come armed with bullets and blades. “Unless you’re trying to get me killed.”

“No,” she immediately protests. “Why would you say?—”

“We’re involved with dangerous people, Victoria. I need you to acknowledge that. It’s imperative that you know it. We’re not around people with your best interests in mind. You have money. And men like Angelo and boys like Liam will dispose of you any way they can to get it. I need you to understand that, all right?” Her nostrils flare, but she finally nods. “Are you listening or just appeasing me to get me to shut up?”

“I’m listening,” she replies. “I…heard you.”

“And we’re a team, right?”

“Yes.”

I take that answer at face value and pull her towards me as I fall back on the mattress and roll us over, pulling the comforter over our bodies. I settle in with Victoria held close to my chest.

“Go to sleep. You’re safe now.”

A deafening silence fills the room then, and now there’s nothing to distract my mind. It’s all over the place, running through everything I need to do and how to do it while keeping Victoria safe. Then Victoria reaches a hand up, stroking it down my arm in a sweet caress.

“Dante…” she whispers softly.

“Hmm?”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’d be lost without you.”

I’d do anything for this woman in my arms, but I don’t voice the thought. I’m not ready to consider what that means yet, so I just squeeze her tighter and listen to her breathing soften into the slow rhythm of slumber.