Page 55 of My Solemn Vow

He pauses as if trying to figure out how to say the words. “It’s physically impossible for me to get you pregnant.”

“Okay.” The words ‘I had a vasectomy’ would be more reassuring. “And that’s because...?”

Valor shrugs. “For all intents and purposes, at this time, I’m sterile.”

I don’t love the way he said that, but vasectomies are reversible, and maybe it hurts his manhood too much to say the words. I nod and let it go. The panic is still there, but I’m confident with reading between the lines.

“What else is on your mind?” Valor asks, stepping closer to me.

I dislike being naked, or only wearing a towel, when he’s still clothed. It’s becoming a trend, and I’m feeling more vulnerable.

“I would love if you could show me what is acceptable for me to use. I don’t want to step on your toes or get in your way.” I hate that I sound so weak and timid, but it would go a long way to have something that I can cling to for comfort.

He stops, our eyes locking, and he picks up one of my hands. “Don’t say that.”

I play my sentence back in my head but can’t decode what he’s trying to tell me. I look at our hands together, and he squeezes, drawing my attention back to his face.

“Whatever is in this house is for you to use.” He levels me with a glare. “You can’t get in my way or step on my toes. You’re my wife. I take that and all the responsibilities that come with it very seriously.”

Valor steps back and pulls me through to the closet. Much like the rest of the house, it’s massive. Custom built-ins line the walk-in closet, and Valor leads me to an empty section. He presses a button, and a wooden panel slides back, revealing a custom safe.

“Jewelry and valuables can go in here. Fireproof, waterproof, and if you lock it, theft resistant. Obviously, I’m using thisportion of the closet, but I’m not attached to it. As long as I have a place to hang stuff, I’m fine with it.”

He steps away from me and pushes his palm to a portion of the wood nearest the door, and there’s a beeping sound. “Hidden handprint scanner. You’ll find several throughout the house.” Valor opens what I assumed were drawers for storage to reveal another safe. This one, however, isn’t for jewelry and valuables. It’s a weapon cache with a few handguns. “It would be beneficial if my daughter has you as an added level of security. Even if you’re not comfortable with carrying daily, being able to take a gun in a crisis would be ideal.”

I don’t argue that I know how to shoot. Now isn’t the time to start being sassy. He’s... being friendly and warm with me.

Valor closes the compartment and turns to face me before walking over to a set of drawers in the closet. “Do you have many things to move in?”

“I’m not big on material things. I do have a curated collection of clothes, a couple family photos, nothing big.”

I wonder why my stuff hasn’t already been dropped off. Maybe Gregorio D’Medici didn’t want to spend the time in hopes that Valor would kill me before any movers would be necessary.

Valor pulls out a pair of loose-fitting boxers, sweatpants, and then a T-shirt off a hanger before offering them to me. “Is it possible for someone in your family to box up your belongings?”

“They already are? I was trying...” I furrow my brow, and despite the little voice in my head saying ‘be complacent,’ the question bubbles out. “Is there a problem?”

“No.” He shakes his head.

Our hands brush as I take the clothing from him. Warmth floods through me again. Even my body seems to be doing a push and pull with him. I’ve never felt anything like this, and it’sconfusing, to say the least. “I have to assume there is if you’re ask?—”

“Antonella, I don’t want my wife going back to Casa de D’Medici alone. The stupid fucking truce gives you access to their home — if I come with you — but if I walk in that penthouse with a loaded gun and see Gregorio D’Medici, I might shoot him in the face.”

“The feeling is incredibly mutual.” I stifle a laugh before walking out of the closet toward the bathroom again.

Valor follows me, and I catch him looking at me in the mirror. His eyes are wide like I’m growing a second head.

“What?”

“Is it mutual that Gregorio wants to shoot me or that you want to shoot Gregorio?” Valor seems so serious.

“I mean both are true, but I was mostly talking about me wanting to shoot Gregorio.” I sigh and pull at the end of the towel.

Valor stalks closer and carefully, with a hesitant touch to my shoulder, turns me. “What did he do to you?”

I tsk dismissively, waving him off, and shake my head while working the towel over my long strands.Guessing he doesn’t have a blow dryer. Maybe in Kerrianne’s bathroom?“He’s a shitty person. My parents died, and Gregorio did the noble thing of raising me with my father’s wishes in mind. It’s the only reason I got to be a teacher and not a housewife.”

“But also why you were his first choice to offer up as a tribute to the truce.” Valor pieces that together however he sees it to be true, but he’s also not wrong.