by Haley Stuart
Deadly Vows
Haley Stuart
Copyright © 2018 Haley Stuart
All rights reserved
First Edition
Page Publishing, Inc
New York, NY
First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018
ISBN 978-1-64298-466-8 (Paperback)
ISBN 978-1-64298-465-1 (Digital)
Printed in the United States of America
Warning
Before you read this story, note that this is a very dark romance. There will be strong sexual content, violence, language, etc. If any of these things offend you, you need to stop reading now. This is not a traditional love story; this is very vulgar and disturbing in some areas. I don’t want to hear any complaints later on. I have warned you. You have been warned.
Chapter 1
Elise
Sixteen. The age of becoming a woman. While normal girls were getting licenses, wearing makeup for the first time, and going on dates, when I turned sixteen, it was the day my life ended. I’ll never forget the feeling I had once my father called me into his office.
I had a big smile on my face. It was my birthday, after all. And my father never wanted me for anything. So when his right-hand man told me he wanted to see me, I believed it was because he wanted to tell me “Happy birthday!” and finally acknowledge me.
When I was four, my mother died. She was taken by a rival Mob and killed to teach my father a lesson, which left him with a daughter as his successor. He had never been kind to me, and I believed it was because he wanted a son. But I was what he got. And he made sure to keep me busy. No sooner had I been able to walk than he made me take violin lessons, never caring when my hands would blister from all the practicing. He would step into the room, listen, and leave. He never complimented me, told me he was proud, or gave me any indication that he was pleased with me. Or something I did.
I was practically running to my father’s office, excitement bubbling up deep inside me. I stood in front of the massive white doors and knocked lightly. My father’s deep voice came from the other side of the door, giving me permission to enter.
He didn’t look up upon my entrance, which made my heart sink a little, but I wouldn’t let it deter my mood. I took a seat in one of the chairs, waiting for him to speak. To tell me he loved me. Or “Happy birthday.” Or that he was proud of me. Something to indicate that he cared. After a few minutes passed, he finally looked up. But he wasn’t smiling. My smile fell off my face immediately.
“As you know, relations with the North Mob have been all but nonexistent, and with the expansion of the Russians in our territory, we must band together to form a more stronger union. The head capo’s son has been single for a while now and is getting older. It’s time for him to marry.”
I felt my stomach begin to clench in dread as I anticipated where this conversation was going.
“Since you are the only child I have been able to legitimately conceive to this point, it is only fitting that you be the first bride for Luca Pasquino.”
My heart literally dropped out of my chest, and I honestly thought I was going to fall out of my seat right there. I wasn’t a fool. Luca was widely feared. Widely misunderstood. And if it weren’t frowned upon in our society, I would call him clinically insane.
Luca was made a man at the tender age of ten. The normal age for our boys to become a man is at least sixteen to eighteen. Luca was what any man in our world wanted their son to be like. He was malicious, cruel, and emotions were the last thing on his mind. When Luca was seventeen, he had killed a man with his bare hands. And I don’t mean he strangled him; no, he beat the man to a literal pulp, smashing his head in.
My father was rambling on about how this was a great opportunity for my family, for our clan, but I wasn’t listening. I felt as if my body had become numb. My father had never been a loving man. Hell, I had barely seen him in the sixteen years I had been alive. But this was something I couldn’t believe he was doing to me. He was marrying me off to someone who was barely human.
I looked up as silence enveloped the room, and I realized my father was waiting for me to speak. I knew the last thing he wanted was for me to express my disappointment. The last time that happened, it didn’t end well for me.
“I … uh, when are we to be wed, Father?”
“When you are eighteen.”
I nodded, keeping my eyes downcast.
“This will be good for us, Elise. All of us.”
I could almost laugh at his blatant disregard for my feelings. This was beneficial for him and his cronies, yes, but it had nothing to do with me.
I stood from my seat in my father’s office, ready to leave.
“If that is all, Father, may I be excused?”
He nodded to me, and I left the room. I finally reached my bedroom and flopped onto my bed, tears flowing at an endless pace down my face. My life was over.
* * * * *
“It may not be all that bad. You never know, you might even grow to love this man. I know he won’t be able to resist loving you.” My cousin Arianna was smiling at me, trying to reassure me about the marriage.
She didn’t understand, though. She was one of the lucky ones. Her husband loved her. And he treated her like a queen. I came to her house to get some comfort, but what was happening was far from it. I hadn’t yet told her who my husband was supposed to be.
“You don’t understand, Ari. I’m set to marry Luca Pasquino.” My voice caught on his name. I still wasn’t used to the thought of being married to that monster.
Ari’s whole demeanor changed. Her face grew pale, and she tensed. She wasn’t a fool either. She knew as well as the rest of the women there what I was getting into.
Luca was cruel unconditionally. Gender didn’t matter to him. I remember, when I was eleven, I attended a gathering with my father, and Luca was there. I’ll never forget the shriek of the unfortunate female as he snapped her wrist for touching him. Everyone stared in shock as he stalked from the room, not caring what he just did was awful.
Ari was rubbing my back, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Well, you still have two more years until you are actually wedded to him. In that time, you are your own person.” She tried to smile at me, but I could see right through it.
We both knew what my life would be like the moment I said “I do.”
Chapter 2
Elise
Two Years Later
I sit in the practice room of my home, playing to my heart’s content. The only thing that can drag me from this hell I call life and give me some peace is playing my violin. It gives me sanctuary. Two years have come and gone so quickly, and my wedding is less than a week away.
I still have yet to meet the man I am soon to marry. The only indication that he is aware of our union is the fact that he sends me gifts on birthdays and holidays and flowers before recitals. Other than that, he keeps his distance, never once looking to meet me. It makes me feel uneasy but a little happy at the same time. With him not being around, I can pretend I am destined for something greater.
The engagement party is being held this weekend at our home. I am nervous, because this means I have to meet him now. No more hiding and pretending. I have hoped secretly that maybe he won’t be so bad. I’ve been wishing that his reputation will be different, but it has only gotten worse. Scarily worse. He doesn’t just kill because he has to; he does for sport. And the fact that they believe he needs a wife is beyond me. But apparently, his father is close to retirement, so Luca will be next in line to be the head of the North Mob, which means a wife and children aren’t a bad idea, since a target will constantly be on his back.
I flip the page of my music sheet and let the melody I’m playing pour out
of my fingers. I close my eyes, already having memorized the music, and play and play, feeling the rhythm and beat deep within me. I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face. When I play, I lose myself. I’m in a place that no one can ever find me and ruin. It is my sanctuary.
I finally finish the melody and set my violin on my lap. I’m startled by the clapping that echoes throughout the room from one person. I turn in my chair, and my heart drops. Luca Pasquino is standing in the doorway of the room. He is dressed in dark jeans and a dark dress shirt. I can’t help but stare as I take in his features. The pictures doesn’t do him justice. Handsome is an understatement. He is perfection at its finest.
His hair is a pitch-black that is a mass of big curls that fall gently on his face, barely touching his forehead. His face is cleanly shaven, and his jaw is sharply accentuated. His lips are nice and full, put on his face to commit all kinds of sinful acts. And those eyes. Bright steel-gray eyes watch me with such an intensity that I almost squirm. This is the man that will be my husband. And he is looking my body up and down without shame.
“So you are my future bride. You are quite the beauty.”
I can feel the blush creeping up my neck, and I look away. At five foot four, I am no model. I am tiny. My hair is black and falls to my waist, and my eyes are a bright brown on my face.
“Thank you.”
How can this be the man that all those stories come from? If I hadn’t seen his true nature before, I wouldn’t have believed it. Part of me is shaking in fear from him being so close. He reaches out, and I close my eyes in fear, but then I open them when nothing happens. He only pushes some stray hair back behind my ears.
“So you play.” His voice sounds so hypnotic and entrancing it takes me a moment to realize he is speaking to me.
“Uh, yes.” My voice comes out a small whisper.
He walks closer to me and touches my instrument lightly. “That was a beautiful melody you were playing.”
I look up, and he is smiling at me. His teeth are perfectly straight and brilliantly white.
“Thank you,” I say.
“What is it called?”
I gesture to the music sheet. “Yamagasumi.”
He laughs, and the sound is earth-shattering. “Sounds very interesting. Do you have a recital coming up?”
“Yes. My last one, you know, before …” I trail off awkwardly, not knowing what to say or how to finish my sentence. We both know why. We know why he is even here in the first place.
He lightly traces the top of my hand in a small circular pattern.
“Boss, it’s time.” A man I have never seen before is standing in the doorway of the room.
Luca stands, and his whole demeanor changes. He is cold and cruel and the man I have read about. He walks to the door and turned right before he reaches it, winking at me. Then he exits the room quietly.
* * * * *
Later that night, my maid, Sylvia, fixes me up for the engagement party. I’m wearing a nice sundress that shows off my legs and clings to my body. My heart is hammering against my chest, and I am terrified. I have met my soon-to-be husband earlier that day, and he has done nothing but intimidate me. Now I will have to go the whole night by his side and pretend that I am excited about marrying this monster when I am anything but.
I walk into the corridor that leads out to the party area. I am to wait for Luca there. I turn to look into the mirror that hangs delicately on the wall. My hair is curled into large rings that fall gently down my back, and the way my makeup is done makes me look innocent. But if you look into my eyes, you can see the blatant fear that resides there.
“Hello.”
I jump and squeal in shock. Luca is standing right behind me with an unreadable expression on his face. I squirm under his glare, unable to move. His eyes roam shamelessly up and down my body, lingering on my most intimate parts. I can’t help but look away, a heavy blush crawling its way up my neck.
He seems to enjoy my unease. He walks closer to me and pulls the hem of my dress so that I am forced to be flushed against him. A small noise escapes my lips, and I try to pull away, but he has a firm grip on my dress.
His hands roam around my body, and he holds me against himself. Even in my heels, I still come right below his chin. He leans close into my ear, and I can feel his smile as he speaks.
“I can’t wait to bury myself in between your sweet little thighs.”
I gasp, and he finally lets go of me as I stumble back, blushing furiously. The door to the party area opens, and my father and a man I have never seen before step into the hallway.
“Are you two ready?” he asks.
Luca only puts his elbow out for me to hold on to as we make our way into the crowd.
The night drags on for what seems like forever. People come up to us, expressing their congratulations. So many people. And smiles. I don’t even remember any of their names. But Luca seems to have everything under control. He never falters as he expresses his thanks and “excitement.” I just stand next to him and smile when the moment arises that I need to.
I feel numb. Everyone here knows this union is arranged. They know we feel nothing for each other. They know we are only getting married because our fathers have arranged for it. Yet they smile for us and tell us how happy they are and how we will make a fine couple. I can almost laugh. Everyone here knows who Luca Pasquino is. They aren’t fools. Yet they act as though they are best friends with him. But we all know it is fear. Fear of the monster that lurks beneath that cruel exterior.
Luca finally lets me go when I see my cousin Arianna standing in the corner. She smiles at me once she sees me and embraces me in a big hug, squeezing me tight.
“You look beautiful, Elise.”
She is smiling at me, but I can see the sadness that lurks deep in her eyes. She knows what this is signifying. My eyes travel across the room to the man I am soon to marry. He is watching me with such an intensity that I feel as though I am going to explode from his gaze. Someone is speaking to him, but he keeps his eyes trained on me.
I finally look back at Arianna, who is watching me worriedly. I take a deep breath.
“I’m scared, Ari,” I say to her, finally revealing my inner thoughts. And I am scared. He barely knows me, and he is already expressing his sexual fantasies with me. The way he watches me and speaks to me, it is as if I am a possession of his.
“You’re going to be fine, Elise. Once all the marriage hype is over, he’ll be submerged into his work and may not even have the time to see you.”
Deep down I’m hoping what she has said is true. Deep down I hope he will find someone else to focus his attention on. Because deep down I know what type of man he is. He owns things. And I am no different from another possession.
Ari’s eyes suddenly grow wide, and I feel his dark presence behind me.
“Excuse me, but may I steal my fiancée back?”
I turn to see Luca’s face in an intoxicating smile. Ari frantically nods and hurriedly runs away, fear obvious in her demeanor. I can almost scream for her abandoning me so readily.
I feel a tug on my arm and realize that Luca is dragging me to the dance floor. He pulls me closer against his body, and we begin spinning across the floor. Luca’s movements are graceful and calculated.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks me suddenly.
I look at his face and gasp. His intense gray eyes are focused on me. “I … I’m just nervous. This is all so sudden.”
I hear his deep laugh. “That is to be expected. Tell me, Elise, are you on birth control?” He asks the question so nonchalantly, as if he were asking my opinion on whether or not it will rain tomorrow.
My cheeks heat up in embarrassment. He doesn’t waste any time, does he?
“No.” My voice comes out in a hushed whisper.
“We’ll have to remedy that. Don’t worry, I’ll have something sent for you to take.”
I don’t respond to him, but he doesn’t notice or seem
to care. He leans down and begins nuzzling my neck.
“I want to have you to myself for a while.”
I still don’t respond. I look around the room to see everyone’s faces smiling at us with happy and dreamy expressions. The fools.
“So the violin?” His voice breaks through my thoughts, and I look at him, confused. “Why did you decide to play?” he clarifies.
I only shrug. “It was my father’s choice, not mine.”
“As was our union, I presume.”
I don’t respond.
We dance until the music finally ends, and I walk out of his grasp immediately, not daring to look back.
The rest of the night goes by in a blur, with people smiling and congratulating us. My cheeks are beginning to hurt from all the smiling I have to do. Luca never falters. Never lets on his true feelings. He is a hard book that I can’t read. I don’t know if he is just being polite to make me feel better or if he doesn’t want this union as much as I don’t want it.
I eventually end up alone and look around to see where Luca has disappeared to, but I don’t see his face anywhere. I see my cousin Ari standing with her husband in the corner. She is laughing, and he is holding her close to him. It is obvious they are in love. The way he holds her and smiles at her. The way he watches her when she is doing something else.
My heart is aching. I honestly just wish that somewhere deep down, Luca will find it in himself to love me and be kind to me.
I walk toward the table that has champagne bottles on it and hear a sound that makes me want to run come from the hall near the table. I follow the sound of the whimper and almost gasp at what I see before me.
There is a blonde. A really pretty blonde. She is up against the wall, and Luca’s hand is around her throat. The look on his face is terrifying.
“You can’t just do this to me—”
Her voice is violently cut off. “I told you, we are finished. How dare you show up here to my engagement party!” His voice is coming out like venom, making me want to shiver in fear.
The girl doesn’t make any more sounds barely, and there are tears falling down her face. Luca finally drops her, and she begins to gasp for air, coughing and moaning. Luca reaches in his behind him and pulls out a gun, aiming it at the top of her head. Hate is clear in his expression. My legs move before I do.
