Page 9 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Eight

THEA

Pa was the first man to show me how a real father loved, and Mr. Marcello was the second. They were shining examples of what real men should be. The way they loved me gave me a standard no one had measured up to yet.

I smiled. “I…”

“Was your Pa okay with you trading in your ballet shoes for weapons?” Nazar leaned forward slightly, his eyes intent on my face.

Something in his expression, a gentle curiosity mixed with understanding, caught me off guard.

His head tilted just a fraction, as if he was piecing together another part of my puzzle.

The way he watched me, completely present and focused, made me feel both exposed and strangely comforted.

But in the next moment, I was back sitting in Pa’s study with him staring down at me after he’d caught me with Ari’s throwing stars. I was sure he was going to be angry.

“Pa, I don’t like ballet.” By then, calling Andros, Pa, was as natural as breathing. I'd never felt so loved, so wanted as with Ma and Pa. Sometimes, I even forgot to be worried that I could mess things up.

I’d confessed to Ma during class when she saw me half-heartedly participating. All the girls were so girly. I’d grown up in the streets.

Street trash. Alley rat. Dirty. Unworthy.

One girl was especially feminine. Looking at herself in the mirror, prancing around. Anna. She was pretty, and maybe there was a thimble of jealousy.

“ Kardoula mou .”

My little heart. He’d begun calling me that a few weeks after I joined the family. I smiled.

“I’m sorry, Pa. I’ll go back. I won’t complain. I promise. Please…” I choked. “Please don’t make me leave. I’ll be…”

For six whole months, I’d had a roof over my head and plenty to eat. Calling Lisbet and Andros, Ma and Pa, was a recent development, but I so loved them. They’d been wonderful to me.

Alley rat. But to them, I wasn’t. They called me their little heart.

Pa squatted down, taking me in his arms. “ Kardoula mou , I would never make you leave. Ballet is just a class. Is there something else you’d like to do?”

“I want to be like you and Lucas and Ari. I want to be able to protect myself and my family.”

“But kardoula mou , this world…” His gaze held mine, his eyes searching.

Ten years on the street with a transitory mother. I never knew where I’d lay my head at night, where my next meal would come from, or if a man would touch me again in ways that felt wrong. Living with Lucas and his family…I’d found heaven on earth. Safety and freedom.

A smile slowly spread on his lips. “You were very good at throwing those stars.”

I rolled my lips in. “It’s fun.”

He tapped me on the nose. “How about we start with martial arts classes, okay? Your Ma would kill me if she found out I was letting you learn about weapons.”

A giggle popped out. “Can I still throw the stars?”

Pa nodded and put his fingers to his lips. “It’ll be our secret.”

The memory sent an earthquake through my heart. Between Pa and Mr. Marcello, my expectations for relationships had hurdles men couldn’t pass.

“Pa loved me. He let me take martial arts classes, and as I got older, I became more proficient. Ma wasn’t thrilled, but she understood my need to feel safe.”

“Here it is!” Mr. Marcello broke the heavy moment as he returned.

He didn’t need to see me weepy. Straightening my posture, I lifted my head and gave him a bright smile as I joined him at the counter. The moment he opened the black velvet box, my mouth dropped open, and a gasp escaped me.

Rarely was I left speechless, but Mr. Marcello hadn’t crafted a ring, he’d created art using metal and gems as a medium. The only thing that saddened me was that this engagement was a farce. Had I known…

He beamed, pride glowing on his face. “At the center, a radiant-cut diamond reflecting your brilliance. The halo of smaller stones symbolizes the love and care you so freely give to those around you.” He held it out to me.

“And the platinum band represents your strength— unyielding and graceful, just like your spirit. Isabella was insistent on that, especially.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. My voice was thick as I asked, “Isabella?”

Nodding, Mr. Marcello smiled. “She helped with all of it. She said it had to be unique and made just for you. Courage and strength, kind and soft. Wonderful and beautiful.” He tilted it, showing me the underside of the band.

“I know the symbol isn’t Greek, but the fleur-de-lis symbolizes purity, light, and life.

A blessing of happiness in your marriage. ”

It was the most thoughtful, most precious thing. That he and Isabella would have crafted this for me… my chest tightened. “It’s incredible. You’re so sweet. Thank you for such a beautiful gift.”

He palmed my cheek. “Anything for my Thea.”

“The ring is spectacular, Mr. Marcello,” Nazar said, his deep voice laced with sincerity. “I don’t think anything could have captured her beauty and spirit quite as perfectly as this ring.”

The intensity of his words caught me off guard, and my gaze snapped to his. “You only met me a day ago…” The words faltered and evaporated on my tongue as our eyes locked.

There was an intensity in his that stole the air from my lungs.

“More than twenty years ago, I was told I’d be drawn to fire,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “And here I am taking hold of a flame and perfectly content to burn.” He blinked, pulling his gaze from mine. “It’s a fitting masterpiece.”

Mr. Marcello cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Shall we try it on?”

Unable to speak, I nodded. “Yes, please.”

To my surprise, Nazar took the ring from Mr. Marcello and gently slipped it onto my finger. The heat of his touch sent tingles racing up my spine. “Does it feel okay?” he asked, his voice low, the words weighted with more than just the fit of the ring.

My breath hitched, and I forced myself to focus. “Perfect.” I shook my head, trying to clear it. “It fits just fine.”

But nothing about the moment felt fine. Nazar was affecting me in ways no man ever had, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it.

“Are there any modifications you would like?” asked Mr. Marcello.

“No, it’s the most perfect ring I’ve ever seen.”

His grin reached his eyes. “When Isabella became ill, she wanted to leave you one last gift—your something new. Oh, how she would have loved seeing you get married.”

I pressed my hand to the spot over my heart and failed to keep the tears at bay.

Nazar was witnessing me weepy, and that wasn’t something I typically allowed.

Normally, that would have fueled my ability to rebuild the walls I worked to keep in place, but this was Mr. Marcello. I treasured him. Missed Isabella.

Almost like he could read my mind, Nazar’s hand found my lower back, and his mouth came millimeters from my ear.

“Dark Angels who weep give those who care for them the opportunity to stand guard.” His grip turned possessive as his arm snaked around my waist, and his palm flattened against my stomach.

“Your tears are beautiful, and I’ll carry your sword while you shed them. ”

His heat enveloped me, sending a tingle down my spine. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“I may not be a king, but I do know how to protect a queen.” When he leaned back and caught my gaze, it was electrifying. Adding the lopsided, charming smile brought levity to the moment.

The ring should have felt heavy on my hand. Instead, it was light. It was all so confusing and unreal.

I needed to snap out of this. Losing a bet to Claire wasn’t an option.

I’d never hear the end of it. This was fake, and we were actors in a play.

He was likely aware of Marco’s men keeping an eye on us.

Clearing my throat, I shook away all the weird emotions and smiled. My sword was back where it belonged.

“Thank you so much for this gift.” I hugged Mr. Marcello. “Will you be coming to Thanksgiving tomorrow?”

As he bagged up the box, he shook his head. “A lovely offer, but no, I’ll be at the soup kitchen.”

“Well, it’s a standing invitation if you change your mind.

I don’t mind taking your place if you want to take this year off.

” I took the bag. Knowing I’d have a safe place to keep this art on my finger was a relief.

Although, maybe when this was over, I’d put it in a display case.

It wasn’t like I’d ever actually use it.

“No. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and give the family my love.”

I kissed Mr. Marcello’s cheek. “I’ll tell them. I’ll see you later, Mr. Marcello.”

He looked at Nazar and hesitated a moment. “Take care of her.”

Nazar nodded as he took my hand. “On my honor.”

Hopefully, Mr. Marcello would understand the ruse once this plan was finished, but keeping the truth from him kept him safe. If Marco’s men decided they wanted to poke around, Mr. Marcello would only know what he saw—Nazar and I were getting engaged.

Beyond that, this thing between Nazar and me had a shelf life. Once I’d gutted Marco, Nazar would return to New York. I’d go back to the quiet comfort of solitude. No entanglements.