Page 37 of My Solemn Vow

Appearances are everything, and Valor wants Berto to know I’m his.

“The problem is, Valor.” Berto’s voice drips with condescension, slick like the grease in his hair. “I mean, it was so easy to just stroll right up once I had —”

“Berto,” I snap.

“Now, now, Toni. The men are talking, maybe be a good wife and go see what the other hags are up to.” Berto is cold to me.

I open my mouth to snap back at him, but Valor’s arm hugsme tighter to him. “My wife stays with me. But do tell, Berto, how do you think you’re better than me?”

“Well, it was almost too easy. That fancy, high-tech security system of yours really shouldn’t allow an override with the key of someone so easily killed. That was a nice touch. I was able to waltz right up to her. It’s a shame the truce was called before I could finish the job.” Berto doesn’t stop poking.

He’s trying to start an incident, isn’t he?I grip Valor’s arm, silently begging him not to let this keep escalating.

“It takes bravery to put someone’s life above your own. Though, I’m sure you aren’t familiar with that concept.” Valor gently trails his hand up and down my stomach. “Bravery, that is.” Valor’s deadly sharp tone softens a hair, and he must look down at me. “It seems fitting that the woman willing to put her life on the line becomes my wife.”

Berto huffs and rolls his eyes.

“If you’ll excuse us. We have a marriage to consummate and celebrate.” Valor’s voice is low and gravelly.

I’ve never heard someone make that noise, but the intensity lights my whole body on fire.

How the fuck did I forget about that?

I don’t know if he means his words to be so alluring, but their heaviness and the straightforward declaration of our required physicality have my lower abdomen clenching with a need I haven’t experienced. Not like this.

Well, as far as first male partners go... At least I’m attracted to him? Fuck.

Berto steps backward to walk away rather than turn his back on us. “Enjoy your new life, Mrs. Cavanagh.”

My new moniker is foreign, especially coming from Berto, but I can’t get lost in the thoughts about it because Valor clenches his fist against my stomach and grows rigid behind me.

I spin in the tight space between us and look up at him, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed.

My stomach tightens, and I try to smooth over the mess Berto made. “I’m so sorry.”

Looking down at me, he shakes his head. Valor’s shoulders drop, his jaw unclenches, and he kisses my forehead. “Don’t be.” He pulls away a little, and a sultry smirk crosses his face. “He’s helped me make an important decision, and he doesn’t even know it.”

My stomach swoops. That little single kiss makes me lightheaded, and his smile does nothing to slow my rapidly beating heart.

“You should find the cousin you like and say goodbye.” Valor’s tone is unexpectedly sweet. “I’ll have Jack bring the SUV around.”

I search for her but find Leticia standing with her parents and Uncle Eduardo as they chat with one of Berto’s friends. She’s locked in place, the same old routine of being seen and not heard. The disassociation and her roaming gaze are evident from here.

We lock eyes and exchange small smiles. Going over there will be pointless.

Instead, I look back to Valor. “The potential conflict isn’t worth trying to say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” Valor says, offering his hand out for me to hold rather than taking my wrist. “It isn’t fair that shit men like Berto get to dictate how women live. I’ll make sure the two of you get to connect. When we set you up with a cell phone, the two of you can talk. Maybe we can all do dinner.”

My brain short-circuits as he leads me away.

My questions about their family, their life, and the differences between us are growing two- and threefold. But I, not so patiently, wait to address him again until we’re tucked into the black SUV and the doors close behind us.

“You’d really let me talk to her?” I practically whisper.

“Of course.” Valor’s eyes are wide, but he quirks an eyebrow. “Antonella, this isn’t a kidnapping, it’s a truce.”

I nod because, with the pause, it seems like I should answer him.Is Valor trying to make me want him? Does he know it’s working?