Page 72 of Brutal Vows

And here I thought the Cosa Nostra was brutal.

“That’s what happened to your family?”

Instead of answering, he switches on the radio.

I reach over and switch it off. “How did you survive?”

He glances at the tattoo on my left ring finger. “How didyousurvive?”

I look out the window again, at the passing suburban landscape creeping toward the city. “Day by day. Any way I could.”

“Then you already know. The details don’t matter.”

He switches on the radio again, ending the conversation.

I close my eyes and allow the sudden and intense longing to get to the dark heart of this strange changeling of a man to pass through me until it’s only a faint, bittersweet taste on my tongue.

The wedding can’t come soon enough.

He’s a riptide and I’m swimming far out in dangerous waters, getting pulled under fast no matter how hard I fight to stay afloat.

SIXTEEN

SPIDER

It becomes clear I made a massive mistake ordering Reyna to accompany me on the ring-buying excursion the moment we walk into the Cartier store in Manhattan and the store manager greets us with a big smile, open arms, and an enthusiastic, “Congratulations on your engagement!”

Reyna stares at the manager as if she’s planning his murder.

She says icily, “How kind. Thank you. Now please show me the biggest diamond you have for sale.”

“Do you have any preference for shape?”

“Whichever one’s the most expensive.”

The manager almost wets himself in excitement. “Right this way!”

Someone please fucking kill me now.

I follow behind them as they walk to a lighted glass display case near the back of the store. We’re the only customers, as Declan called and arranged a private showing for us.

I didn’t tell him I was bringing Reyna instead of Lili, becauseI didn’t want to get a lecture. Now I’m thinking I could’ve used a good lecture to talk me out of such a dumb idea.

I have no doubt that by the time we leave, I’ll be flat broke.

The manager, who still hasn’t introduced himself, hops behind the case and makes spokesmodel hands at the rows of glittering rings nestled in white velvet below.

I hear words like “flawless” and “exquisite,” but I’m too distracted to pay attention to anything else.

Reyna has leaned over the counter. Her posture and the way the fabric of her dress clings emphasizes the perfect rounded swell of her arse. Inspecting the goods in the case below, she lifts a hand to her jaw and slips a pinky between her lips, biting the tip of it in concentration.

Good God, that mouth. How I want to fuck that luscious mouth.

I have to force myself to look away so the front of my trousers won’t get tented.

“The pink ones are gorgeous. Lili would love those.”

“You have excellent taste,” the manager says, sounding awed. “Pink diamonds are among the rarest of all gems.”