Page 110 of My Solemn Vow

He heads over to his tool cupboard. “Who was your crew leader?”

“How the fuck should I know?” Fred snaps back.

“You don’t know who your crew leader is?” Valor looks at me, and we share the same ‘what the actual fuck’ look between us.

“All I know is that he calls himself Viper, and he sets these kinda jobs up from time to time.” Fred panics, talking more as Valor goes back to looking through his tool cupboard. “I know he said he met with a guy. Viper said the guy —”

Valor turns, coming back with another tool I had considered. It’s more of a punch of some nature.

“He said the guy looked like a typical businessman, suit all done up, graying hair, older guy. Apparently had big money, which is why he could pay a crew so much.” Fred’s words come out in rapid fire.

“Did Viper mention this guy’s name?” Valor growls. He pushes the implement against Fred’s hand.

I look away as Valor works. Only hearing Fred’s yowling.

“I don’t know. All he said was old white guy.”

“Where is Viper?”

“Dead. I heard on the radio before you grabbed me. Someone said, ‘They shot Viper.’ I’m betting the guys are wondering how we’re gonna get paid. Please.”

“I believe you,” Valor tells him. “But if you don’t know his name, then you’re not useful to me. We’ll find Viper and his things without you.”

“No,” Fred whines.

With my back to them, I can only make out Fred’s barely understandable begging and whatever Valor is doing to torture him further.

“There, now you’ll get to bleed out nice and slow while I take great care of my wife.”

Valor’s footsteps draw closer to me.

He sets the implement far away from me before drawing my face to look at him instead of the table and his ‘tool.’ “It’s okay to not enjoy the same bloodlust the way I do. You’re perfect nonetheless.”

Perfect.I can’t even stop my stupid heart from fluttering.

Fred groans. Whatever Valor did to him didn’t kill him.

“Moderately slow bleeding out,” Valor explains. “I wanted to give him a little time to watch as I fucked you over my workbench. I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long. Never thought I’d have a woman so willing to walk down here with me.”

“Is it funny that I lose confidence when it actually comes to the killing?” I force myself to glance over at Fred, but Valor guides my chin back to him before I get to look that far.

“No, princess. I’ll make a killer out of you yet. But not today.” His words are spoken with the same admiration one would promise undying love or affection.

It awakens something deep in my soul, and I rise up to my toes and kiss him. Valor lets it happen. He’s sweet and tender as he kisses me back.

I’ve fallen in love with him, and while I’m sure that thought will never be reciprocated, nor will it be voiced to the world, it doesn’t change how I feel. Valor Cavanagh is exactly the kind of man I was made for, and I’ll live or die by his side.

48

VALOR

EYES ON ME

When I raise my hand to her throat, Antonella is breathing heavily, and her heart rate is through the roof. The rich brown of her irises turns nearly black with the lust shining through in her gaze.

“He has about fifteen minutes left to live,” I tell her, trying to find at which point she loses interest.

But the muscles in her neck flex against my hand as she swallows. She parts her lips with her tongue, like she’s about to say something before stopping herself.