Page 5 of Vow to Corrupt You (Gods of Corruption #1)

Serena

My gaze moves across the living room, realizing the Romanos have left.

Nikos has left. What a relief. It feels as if the weight of a mountain has been lifted from my chest, and now I can draw breath as though tasting the sweet air of freedom once more that he’s not here. He and his suffocating presence.

“What were you doing with him alone in the bathroom?” Valeria furrows her brows, and her tone sounds so… accusatory.

I shake my head in disbelief. “What are you implying, Valeria? He followed me. I didn’t want to be alone with him, not even for a second. It was torture.”

Valeria lets out that sharp, dismissive snort she always does when things don’t go her way. “Please. Stop playing innocent, Serena.”

My brows knit together in confusion. “What are you implying?”

“The Romano Mafia is the most influential syndicate in Sicily. Don’t pretend you’re not happy you’re going to marry its boss, someone like Nikos Romano, the most powerful man around here,” her tone is bitter.

“And the most ruthless!” Does she not understand this isn’t a game?

Does she really not understand the gravity of the situation?

“This man is dangerous, Valeria. He’s a violent, twisted psychopath who wanted to kill our brother.

Maybe you’ve forgotten that he’s still holding Salvatore captive!

” My gaze flickers between hers, hoping she will realize what is truly going on.

It’s not about the position that I’ve been elevated to.

It is about our life. Well, now my life.

Valeria makes that sound again, but this time, her deep sea-blue eyes roll back into her head. “If you’re so unhappy about marrying him, then why did you agree?” Is she really questioning that? Did she not see what happened a few minutes ago?

“You were here. You witnessed the whole situation!” I don’t know if I’m more frustrated or confused.

My stepsister looks at me with resentment before her gaze drops to the enormous black diamond ring I nervously fiddle with on my finger. I’m not used to wearing rings. I don’t wear jewelry and the ring… It feels heavy, with more than just its weight. It’s an obligation. Burning my skin.

“What is it?” She moves abruptly toward me, seizing my hand. “I was supposed to marry him! You took my chance away from me!” she shouts, and I can’t believe her words. “What does he even see in you?” Ouch.

That hurt. Her being irrational is one thing, but trying to shrink my sense of self-worth is another.

She is my sister, well, stepsister, but we grew up together, and I’ve always seen her and Gianna as family, even if not related by blood.

So the fact that she would choose a brute who wanted to wipe out our family—blood or not—hurts like a thousand needles puncturing my heart.

“I didn’t want any of this,” I tell her, completely flabbergasted.

Angry at myself, I should shout in her face how unreasonable she is and how she should thank me for sacrificing my life for Salvatore’s life.

For their lives. Instead, I lose my voice again.

I’m apologetic about something I should never have had to be apologetic about.

“I would trade with you in a heartbeat if I could. If it was up to me…”

I was raised this way. Very strict. I was taught to respect my parents and my siblings.

Valeria, on the contrary, was spoiled by her mother.

Despite my father treating Caterina’s daughters as his own, she didn’t do the same for us.

Salvatore and I. We always felt the distance, the barrier reminding us she was not our birth mother.

It’s a shame Papà has never really done anything about it.

He let her rule in this house… A house that once used to be ours.

“Whatever!” Valeria pushes past me. She’s such a diva. I, in contrast, am this grey mouse who lacks any confidence.

A loud thud of a door slamming echoes through the living room, which, without the Romanos inside, seems so spacious again.

“Serena…” Gianna comes nearer, placing her hand on my arm.

The relationship Gianna has with Salvatore and me is the polar opposite of what we have with Valeria.

She’s like a real sister to us, and I couldn’t love her more.

“Apparently, Valeria doesn’t understand what it means to marry someone like Nikos Romano.

She’s either stupid or blinded by this idea of a life of luxury that she expects with someone like him.

” Gianna continues, “She’s blinded by the desire for power, wealth, and position, but she doesn’t seem to understand that this marriage would bring her anything but that.

Nikos would never treat a wife with the respect that she deserves.

Instead, she would be his captive, forced to bend to his will without any regard for her own desires or boundaries, shackled by this psycho control freak.

” She nearly spits as she speaks, every muscle in her tensing with her hatred for the Romano clan. For him. My future husband.

“Yeah.” I glance down at the ring, my fingers still fidgeting with it. “That would be me now.”

“Oh my God, I—” Gianna hesitates, realizing everything she’s said is true—and that now everything applies to me. “I’m so sorry, Serena. I didn’t mean to…”

“You said nothing but the truth, Gianna,” I exhale, the air leaving my lungs muffling my voice.

I look over at my parents sitting on the couch by the window that’s adorned with lilac curtains, watching the entire scene in silence.

My gaze shifts to Caterina, who’s visibly irritated.

Her lips painted a bold crimson red—as always—press together, and her tan, slim fingers run through her black hair.

I can’t help but wonder how my birth mother would have reacted in such a situation.

Would she shed a tear at the loss of her only daughter?

Would she hug me so tight that all of the worries would fade away?

Instead, with a sudden, jerky movement, Caterina rises from the couch and hastily adjusts the golden belt cinched around her black blazer before she rushes out.

“Mamma!” Gianna follows her.

I can hear my stepmother mumbling under her breath, muffled by her heels, clicking against the wooden floor of the hallway. She’s obviously frustrated that I was chosen to be the Romano bride and not her beloved Valeria, which is mind-blowing considering everything that Gianna just said out loud.

“I’m so sorry, my love,” my father says, and my attention instinctively turns to him. He remains on the couch, his face buried in his hands and elbows resting on his knees. “I couldn’t do anything to protect you from this.” He lifts his head, the conflict in his gaze reflecting his guilt.

I force a reassuring smile, though it feels hollow on my lips. “Don’t blame yourself, Papà. If my marriage to Nikos Romano will keep Salvatore and our family safe, I am happy.”

“It’s not how it should’ve been. My daughter shouldn’t have to sacrifice her life for our lives.

” He shakes his head, his face flushing red, as tears escape his eyes involuntarily.

Almost like wild animals that are finally set free after being held in a cage for far too long.

“Neither of my daughters should have to do something like this, but Valeria… I was relieved when she said she did want this. She’d be happy to.

Deep down, I knew she would. She’s always been fascinated with the Romanos.

But you never wanted this. What about your life? Your desires, plans? Happiness…”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The harsh reality crashes down on me. “Right… I should talk to Claudio. Tell him… we can no longer be together.” Tell him that I now belong to another man. “Excuse me, Papà.”

I head to my room, and with the sound of the door closing, I break into pieces.

I don’t even make it to my bed. I lean against the mahogany wooden door, sinking down to the polished floor, and cry.

Now I can. In the solace of my room so no one can see me breaking.

That’s just who I am. Family always comes first to me, even at the expense of my own happiness.

My life, for that matter. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to them; I’d much rather lead an unhappy life myself, knowing they’re safe.

I’m the definition of the martyr who will fall on any sword as long as others don’t have to.

Minutes turn into hours, and eventually, I find myself on my queen-size bed.

Its silky pink duvet feels so soft against my skin.

The faint scent of lilies wafts through the air—my favorite scent—filling my senses with a sense of security.

My room has always been my refuge, my fortress guarding me against the darkness of the world I live in.

The darkness from which, now, there’s no escape.

He is the darkness that awaits me, and there’s no turning back.

“Serena?” My stepsister opening the door quietly jolts me back to the present. “What are you doing in here in the dark?”

Gianna walks inside and closes the door. She strolls over to the bedside table and turns on the lamp, illuminating the room. The sudden brightness feels blinding at first, causing me to squint until my vision adjusts.

“You didn’t come down for dinner,” she frowns with concern.

I look at her; she seems so different from Valeria. They both share the same tan complexion, but Gianna’s hair is curly, and these brown, piercing eyes. So enchanting. “You don’t have to go through with this.” Once again, Gianna’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

My gaze meets hers. I know what she means, but I am all too aware of the dire reality because not going through with it is not an option.“There’s no way out of this mess without people getting killed, Gianna. My twin brother. And that is something I can’t allow. Bloodshed.”

“I can help you escape.” Gianna leans over, and my heart skips a beat. Or a few. “With Claudio.”

I feel a tightening in my chest at the mention of my boyfriend’s name.

Memories of our time together come flooding back to me—the moments we shared, the laughs we had.

Had he stood next to Nikos, the contrast would be striking.

Claudio seems so radiant. His golden hair, lovely baby-blue eyes, and fair skin have always made him seem like the gentleman that he is.

A polar opposite to the darkness Nikos exudes.

“I wish that were possible.” My voice is filled with resignation.

Although Claudio and I have only been dating for a few months, I felt like he was the Prince Charming I’ve always wanted. Until now. Now, I have to marry the villain, instead.

“But it’s not possible, Gianna. If I run away with Claudio, Nikos would find us both and retaliate.

Not only would Salvatore die, but we all would too.

Or he’d leave me alive to suffer knowing that I caused everyone’s death.

You know that. He holds his merciless, psycho reputation for a reason.

Everyone knows his ruthlessness knows no bounds.

And now, he sees me as his property. If I were to run away with another man, he would wipe out our family, and I could never forgive myself for that. I won’t put our family in danger.”

“It’s not fair, sorella.” Gianna’s brows knit together as she refers to me as sister. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice yourself like this. You deserve better than a life bound to a man like Nikos.”

“I can’t risk it. I have to marry Nikos to protect our family. To save our brother.” I release a heavy sigh, and my gaze drops to the fingers I’ve unconsciously begun to fidget with again. “But…” My head snaps up abruptly, and I meet her gaze again.

“What is it?” Her head tilts, and her brows furrow even more.

“There’s something else I might do.” My heart quickens at the mere idea.

“What do you mean?”

“You know I’m still… a virgin.” A flush of embarrassment rushes through me. We were raised in a very old-fashioned, traditional, and conservative home, and even talking about intimate things is considered inappropriate.

Gianna leans in, her expression sparking with playful curiosity. “Yes?”

“I can’t bear the thought of giving my virginity to Nikos, not willingly.

” A spark of rebellion ignites within me.

Claudio has always respected my boundaries, especially when it comes to intimacy.

He understood my desire to wait until I was truly ready.

So now, knowing that I will have no choice but to give myself to a man I want nothing to do with, I’ve made a decision.

“I want my first time to be with someone I’ve chosen. Someone I love.”

“Claudio,” Gianna states.

I nod faintly. “But Gianna, Nikos must never find out about this.” I urge my sister. “He might even kill me if he finds out.”

“Your secret will be safe with me, sorella,” Gianna assures me. “You know that.”

A vague, grateful smile tugs at my lips as I release another sigh, reaching for my phone and dialing Claudio.

Even though this is so dangerous, in that moment, nothing could possibly stop me. Call it my personal act of protest.

“Hey, baby,” Claudio’s voice on the other end of the line sends a jolt of adrenaline through me. A few hours ago, he was my boyfriend. Now, he is someone forbidden. “I was worried. You haven’t answered my calls or texts the entire day, and I h—”

“I need to see you,” I whisper, as if scared that if I say the words any louder, the world around me could crumble, not letting him finish. “Tonight.”