Page 38 of Brutal Vows

“Now dry your eyes. Lift your chin. Steel your spine. Caruso women are strong and proud. We keep our moments of weakness private. Your fiancé is coming to see you today, and you need to be prepared.”

Her chin quivers. She shakes her head, clearly traumatized by the thought of having to face him.

“Don’t ever let him see you cry, Liliana. No man deserves your tears, especially not that one. Just remember what I’ve told you.”

I sigh, gathering her into my arms again. She tucks herself into me and sniffles.

After a long time, she whispers, “Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll get shot before the wedding.”

I close my eyes, imagining Quinn lying still and silent on the ground in a widening pool of his own blood.

For the first time in forever, I feel happy.

Then I leave Lili alone with her thoughts and get ready to deal with the next important task on today’s agenda.

Firing the pool man.

He’s punctual, the smug Irishman. I have to give him that.

Precisely at five o’clock, Quinn rings the doorbell. Lili and I are already waiting, standing hand in hand in the foyer in tense silence. Beside us stands Gianni, vibrating happiness, practically wagging his fucking tail.

Bettina opens the door and lets the Irishman in.

His ego takes up so much space that instantly, the house feels smaller.

“Mr. Quinn!” Gianni steps forward with his hands extended. “Welcome. So good to see you again so soon.”

Quinn gives him a cursory nod. They shake hands. Quinn glances at Lili and sends her the same disinterested nod he gave my brother.

He doesn’t look at or acknowledge me.

It feels deliberate.

Whatever the reason for it, his snub loosens the vise around my lungs, allowing me to breathe easier.

Maybe I was being paranoid when I thought he was coming on to me in the kitchen. It’s so rare that a man outside my family even dares to look at me, let alone flirt with me, I can’t remember what it feels like.

Gianni says, “Let’s go to my study and have a drink, shall we?”

“No. I’m here to see Lili.”

I can tell Gianni’s offended by the rude dismissal, but he keeps the pleasant smile on his face. “Of course. Would you like to visit with her in the salon, or—”

“We’ll go for a ride,” Quinn interrupts coldly.

Lili glances at me in panic.

I frown.He wants to take her for a ride? In his car?

When I grasp his motivation, heat flashes over me. It crawls up my neck and settles in my cheeks, where it burns.

He doesn’t want to take her for a ride, he wants totake her for a ride.

Thistesta di cazzothinks he’s going to sample the merchandise before he buys it!

Keeping my tone tranquil though I’d like to rip out his intestines through his nostrils, I say, “That will be lovely. I adore afternoon rides in the summer. So refreshing.”

When Quinn sends me a blistering scowl, I smile. “Of course I’m sure you remember that I’m Lili’s chaperone.”