Page 34 of Vow of Obsession (A New Reign #1)

Chapter Thirty-Three

TOVA

W arren is quiet for too long. “Did you do something that’s going to upset me?” I ask. Maybe I need to help him along. “You’re freaking me out.” A small, awkward laugh leaves me. “If it’s about Z, I already know he’s not really your brother.”

“He’s not. I honestly didn’t think to mention it. It’s not a secret I meant to keep.” So that’s not it. “Does that change things for you?”

“No.” I shake my head. I mean, it made things click in my head about Z and Cosima. They aren’t having sibling fights; no, this is much more than that. “Why would it change anything for me?”

“Not being blood doesn’t sit well with some. There are a lot of people in my world who wouldn't like or accept it.”

“A world with arranged marriages and top families.” Yeah, I could see that and get why they might have hidden it.

“It never mattered to me,” Warren says. I can see that from him. He treats Z with so much respect, and I would have never guessed they weren’t related by blood.

Warren can be disconnected from his emotions, even thinking he doesn't have them at times, but he does. They run a lot deeper and form bonds. I could see that when he promised his sister he’d never force a marriage on her.

He might not have understood at the time why he promised her that, but it was because he truly cares.

The way Warren is different in that aspect is why I think him taking over for his family is the best choice. Logic, not old-school rules or beliefs, drives him. Okay, driven by logic when it comes to things not touching me.

“You don’t blindly put your trust or anything into someone because you’re supposed to. That’s a good thing, Warren, a smart and logical thing.”

“I’m not feeling so logical these days.” I can only imagine how dealing with all of his feelings for me has thrown his world off-kilter.

“Are you purposely stretching out whatever it is you have to tell me?” I can see he’s conflicted, which only amps up my anxiety. We have gotten way off topic, and while I love how open Warren is being right now, the waiting is killing me.

“I suppose I am.” His lips turn up on one side in a half smile. “Only you, little mouse, call me on my bullshit and make me hesitate before I speak.” He doesn’t want to hurt me.

“I won’t love you any less no matter what it is you tell me.

” I reach up, my hand caressing his cheek.

“I’m a rip-off-the-Band-Aid type of girl, so lay it on me, big guy.

” I already have the sense it’s not something he did.

No, I don’t think he would have done anything if he feared it could hurt me.

“I found out why your parents agreed to the marriage.”

“I’m not sure 'agree' is the right word.” I laugh. My parents had been very upset. They both have relaxed over the past few weeks, thankfully. I will not be telling them about my shopping trip.

“I suppose you’re right,” Warren says soulfully.

“This is about my parents? What do you need to tell me?”

"Yes, I want to preface this by saying that I didn't know this information when we got married," he admits.

"Not that it would have mattered. I wanted you.

On some level I was pleased that my father was forcing the issue but pissed too because I knew it could make you a target. " Warren shakes his head.

"Don't even." I point my finger at him. "I'm safe, not even a scratch. Besides, Warren, we were always meant to be. It would have only been a matter of time before we came together. I eventually would have wanted to leave. To have a life, and it would have forced your hand."

"I wouldn't have let you leave." That was my initial thought. His father only moved things along.

"I'm in this life. I wasn't born into it, but?—”

"You were born into it," Warren cuts in.

"I guess? My dad has worked for your family, I think, for most of his life."

"That's not what I mean." I scoot back a few inches. Warren grabs my hips, halting me in place.

"I'm not trying to get away, but you're talking about my parents and stalling on whatever this is you don't want to tell me."

"My father saved you. You were only a few weeks old when your birth parents were killed." I stare at him, trying to process what he's saying. "The Russo family had been slaughtered. Everyone except for you. Dario found you still asleep in your crib. He took you."

"Holy shit," I whisper as what Warren is saying begins to come together in my mind.

"He wasn't sure what to do with you, but your father had been working for him for years at this time. My father knew your parents had struggled to have kids, so he gave you to them."

"This is why you asked me about Z, how I felt?"

He nods. "I'm so sorry, little mouse."

"This is a lot to process." Warren gives me another solemn nod. "I'm not mad."

"You're upset?"

"I don't know. It's a lot, like I said, but upset?

" I shake my head. "Not for me, really. I love my parents.

Even if these birth parents were alive, they wouldn't be my parents.

Besides—" I give him a smile, wanting to reassure him.

"I am where I'm supposed to be. I want a life with you.

I don't want to think about that not being a possibility. "

"Always so sweet." Warren's hand cups my cheek. I lean into his touch.

"You need this sweet," I tease.

"I do," he agrees, returning my smile.

"Let's not tell my parents that I know, for now at least. I would like to know where I came from. Who the Russo family was."

“I will see what I can find. I want to do it my way. Not through my father.”

“I trust you to do whatever needs to be done.”

Maybe I should be more upset, but today showed me how easy it can be to lose everything. All the people I love are by choice, and I wouldn't change that for anything in this world.

“I do have one more secret when it comes to you.”

"There's more?" I laugh. We both jerk our attention toward the bedroom door, hearing a bang followed by a groan. Warren lifts me off his lap, sitting me down next to him. He reaches under the table in front of us, coming up with a gun in his hand.

"Who put that fucking table there?" We hear grumbled a second before the double bedroom doors fly open and Z comes tumbling in. Warren relaxes when he sees it’s him, setting the gun on the table and standing up.

"Why are you in my room?" He turns and points back through the doors. "Did you put that table there?"

"This isn't your room," Warren tells him.

Z is three sheets to the wind, and I don't need to see the bottle of whiskey in his hand to know that.

"Are you sure?" He lifts the bottle, taking a giant sip. “Where’s Cosima?”

“Let’s get you back to your room.” Warren motions for him to go.

“Where’s Cosima?” Z repeats.

“Let’s go find her.”

“I’ll find her.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone. It slips from his fingers. “Shit.” Z leans down to pick it up, spilling some of his whiskey.

“Have you ever seen him like this before?” I whisper to Warren, who gives a stiff shake of his head.

“What the fuck is wrong with this?” Z turns, leaving the bedroom. Warren goes after him. I jump up from the couch to see that they’ve stopped in the hallway. Z put his bottle of whiskey down on the accent table. All of his attention is on his phone. He’s angrily tapping at it.

Warren glances back toward me, shaking his head again.

“How about we get you?—”

“It’s not working.” He grabs the bottle of whiskey and throws it at the opposite wall; it shatters, startling me.

“Don’t move,” Warren orders me. I had no plans to. In fact, I take a step back so he knows I won’t. “The hell is wrong with you?” He heads for Z. Please don’t fight , I silently pray in my mind. There’s been enough excitement for one day.

“You know, you know, and you fucking let her go on the shopping trip.” Z steps into Warren, getting in his face. Warren is quiet for a long moment.

“It’s hard, I know, but we can’t keep them locked away, or they will sneak around. The more you try to control a person, the harder they fight.” Z seems to deflate some. “Go sleep it off. Our sister is?—”

“Not my sister.”

“You’re drunk; you don’t mean that.” Oh, I think he does.

“Or you wouldn't be so upset about it.” I’m going to have to clue Warren in to what’s really going on around here.

His na?veté when it comes to relationships is really shining through.

I can’t wait to see the shocked look on his face when I tell him the truth.

“You don’t fucking get it.” Z shakes his head. “You got the girl.”

“Come on, to bed. There are orders not to let Cosima leave the farm for now. We’re on lockdown.” He goes to grab his elbow, but Z jerks it back.

“I’m fucking going.” Z turns, leaving. Warren watches him until he disappears down the hallway.

Warren closes and locks our door behind him.

“He’s in love with her.” His words surprise me. I guess he’s not as na?ve as I thought.

“You think?” I feign mock surprise.

“You know?”

“I’ve been piecing it together. How he is with her. Think about it. Who might you act over-the-top crazy about?” I tap my finger against my lips as if I’m thinking real hard.

“Shit.” Warren glances back toward the closed doors. “What about her?”

“She’s into it, but neither is going to admit it.”

“He’s a ticking time bomb. I have never seen him that way.” I haven't either. Z is the laid-back, funny one who is wicked smart. "Maybe it is time for Cosima to head back to Europe."

"Don't." I shake my head. "If she wants to go, that's one thing, but if she wants to stay, this is her home.

" I might like having her here, too, but I'm not telling Warren that. After him trying to find me friends, he might demand she stay. “You have to let them figure it out. But sometimes a little nudge doesn’t hurt. As you’re well aware.”

“A nudge.” Warren smirks, coming over to me. He lifts me off my feet, and I wrap my legs around him. “You want a nudge?” He’s teasing and light now. I love this side of him. Who am I kidding? I love all of his sides, even the insane ones.

“I might let you nudge me.” Warren carries me over to the bed, laying me down.

“Might?”

“You still have one more confession,” I remind him. “You think I forgot?”

Warren lifts my hand. “Your ring.” Diamonds encrust the entire band. I love that it’s simple but still elegant and pretty, eye-catching.

“It alerted me shortly after Marks that you were in danger.”

“My ring?” I turn my hand over to see, but there isn’t anything that appears abnormal.

“There is a chip in it.” He appears almost sheepish. An expression I have never seen on his handsome face before. I might call it adorable.

“That’s kind of cool,” I admit.

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“No.” Warren’s brows pull together. “What?” I laugh. “Does it give you peace of mind?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down. “Now what about my nudge?”

“Fuck, I love you, little mouse.” Warren’s mouth takes mine before I can tell him I love him too, but he already knows that.

Now I just have to figure out how to get other people around here to realize their love for each other.

I want Z to get the girl, and for Marks to find her hairy thigh man. All in due time. What’s meant to be is in fate’s hands, with maybe a small nudge from me this time. I am the lady of the house, after all.