Deadly Vows

by Haley Stuart

I jump, and even though it is eighty degrees outside, my blood runs cold. I turn and see Luca’s icy gaze, pinning me to the spot. He is wearing shorts and a nice short-sleeve button-down shirt. He is walking toward me with an irritated expression on his face.

  “Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for y—”

  His gaze shifts and lands on Matteo, and his whole demeanor shifts. He becomes tense. Something that I’ve never seen him do before unless he is anticipating some sort of threat.

  “Matteo, I thought I made the rules around here clear.” His voice comes out cold and calculated. I look at Matteo, and he looks frozen to the spot.

  “I …”

  “It was my fault.” I cut him off. “He told me he was busy, but I insisted on his company.”

  Luca’s gaze shifts between us, as if he is thinking something.

  “Come, Elise, lunch is ready.” He turns away from us and walks to the patio. I look at Matteo with an apologetic smile, and he is staring at me in disbelief.

  We take a seat at the outdoor table, and Luca wrinkles his nose at me.

  “Elise, you’re filthy. You have dirt all over you.”

  “Sorry.”

  He looks up from his plate and eyes me with curiosity. “Why aren’t you eating?”

  “It’s just … I didn’t get Matteo in trouble, did I? He’s just a kid.”

  Luca tilts his head at me. “No, you didn’t.”

  “Okay. Well, I kinda told him you would take him home since I slowed him down on his work.”

  Luca only grunts in response. His mind seems to be elsewhere right now.

  “What did you guys talk about?” Luca asks.

  I look up from my plate, and his steel gaze is burning right through me. I don’t know what I should keep out of telling him. He is being so serious right now that I honestly don’t even know what I’ve done wrong.

  “Nothing, really. He mostly yelled at me for putting the plants in the wrong place.” I give a nervous laugh.

  Luca is still staring at me. I can tell he is deciding on whether to believe me or not.

  We eat our lunch in silence, the only talking when Luca asks me questions. When we finish, he stands to go into the house to get his keys so that he can take Matteo home.

  I immediately stand up from the table and go find Matteo. I step around and am surprised by the yard. It is beautiful and colorful. It looks like something a professional will do, not a fifteen-year-old. The yard is like a rainbow of flowers. It is obvious he has put a lot of effort into this.

  “Do you like it?”

  I jump. Matteo is standing right next to me. How on earth does he keep sneaking up on me?

  “It’s beautiful, Matteo,” I tell him. And I truly mean it. This is amazing.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were Mr. Pasquino’s wife?” he asks.

  “I don’t know. You didn’t seem inclined to ask, and you thought I was the maid, so I didn’t feel the need to correct you. Besides, we had fun today, didn’t we?”

  He shakes his head, his curly hair bouncing in front of his face. “He told me specifically not to make any kind of contact with you. He’s going to be so mad at me.”

  I feel my heart sink into my stomach for him. I once again may have gotten someone into huge trouble because of my stupidity.

  “I’m sorry. He said he wasn’t mad about it. I just … it was nice talking to someone else for a change.”

  I turn and look at him, but he is focusing on something else. Who is this kid to Luca? Why is he helping him out so much? And why does he look so damn familiar to me?

  “Matteo!” Luca’s voice comes across the yard like a whip. Matteo turns to me, holding his hand out.

  “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Pasquino.”

  He gives me a huge smile. I smile at him and shake his hand. He then takes off across the yard to Luca. I watch as they turn and walk toward the garage. Luca is speaking to him, surprisingly calm. He is not yelling or anything. They finally disappear from view, and I head into the house to take a bath and wash all this grime off me.

  After I wrap my wrist up, I take a seat in the warm water, letting it relax me. My thoughts wander back to Matteo. He is only fifteen and is going through so much. But what connection does Luca have to him that he feels obligated to help this kid out? I’ve never taken Luca for the caring type. The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that there is a nagging in the back of my mind. But I can’t think of where I know him from.

  I sit in the water until it starts to get cold. I steps out of the tub and into the bedroom. I freeze in my tracks. Luca is standing in the doorway, eyeing my naked body up and down lustfully. He pushes himself off the doorframe and makes his way over to me.

  My heart is thumping heavily against my chest. Luca isn’t speaking. His face is blank. I don’t know if he is mad or happy or what. He takes my hand and leads me to the doorway. We both step out of the room and into the hallway. We step down the hallway and come to a massive double door. He pushes it open, revealing a massive en suite bedroom. I don’t have the time to admire it. Luca pushes me gently up against the wall. He nuzzles my neck and brings his hands down to my butt, pulling me into him. I don’t dare fight him. I know what will happen if I do. So I just close my eyes and give in.

  “It’s been so long since I had you, Elise.”

  His hands pick me up, and I gasp aloud. He carries me to the bed and drops me on top of the warm sheets. I can feel myself sinking into the soft mattress. He leans over me, straddling my body. His lips meet mine, but they are not possessive and harsh like usual, but soft and warm. I feel his hand drift down between my thighs. A soft moan escapes my lips as he begins moving his fingers to arouse me.

  His lips leave mine, and he leans down, capturing my breast in his mouth. I can’t help the pleasure that explodes within me. I hate my body in that moment. It always betrays me just because Luca knows what he is doing manipulating it. I can hear shuffling and open my eyes to see Luca shedding his clothing.

  He uses his knees to spread my legs apart, and I can feel his hot erection pressing at my entrance. He slowly pushes into me, stretching me to accommodate his large size. I gasp and open my eyes to Luca’s lust-filled gaze boring into mine.

  He slowly starts thrusting into me, eliciting little sparks of pleasure each time. An involuntary moan escapes my lips. He threads his fingers through my hair and pulls my head to the side, exposing my throat. He leans in and begins sucking hard on my throat. I cry out as he picks up his rhythmic thrusts, pounding deeper and deeper into me each time.

  “I missed your body so much, baby,” he groans in my ear.

  All at once, my orgasm hits me, and I open my mouth to let out my moans of pleasure. Luca captures my mouth with his, swallowing my moans. I can feel him getting even larger inside of me as he finds his release with a pleasured groan. We stay like that for a moment, our labored breathing echoing throughout the room. Luca slowly pulls out of me and picks my limp body up, taking me to the bathroom.

  For the first time in a while, Luca lies next to me as I sleep. I decide to put all the negative thoughts out of my mind for once and let my weakened body rest.

  Chapter 21

  Elise

  Luca is a strange person. I have never seen him kind to anyone except maybe his father. Or Nicolai on rare occasions. But as I sit stretched out on the pool, I watch him as he teaches Matteo how to use garden shears. I honestly don’t know what it is about this kid that makes him feel obligated to teach him how to garden.

  Luca is calmly explaining to him while showing him the right way to use the massive clippers. Matteo is watching him with careful eyes, focusing on what he is saying very intently. Matteo only works here three days a week, and on those days, Luca makes sure to keep him busy or keep me busy. If it is such a big deal for him not to speak to me, why hire him to work here? He must be someone really special if Luca is putting in all this effort for him. I know he can’t be Luca’s child, because the
age range doesn’t add up. He can’t be related to me, because Luca hates my entire family—he has even threatened me with my brother’s life—so why will he bring him here and help him out? That leaves only one option, that he is Luca’s sibling. But he must be Luca’s half-sibling, because Luca is an only child as far as I know.

  I wish I can just ask him, but I know he will be angry if I do. Every time I say something about Matteo, he will tense up and close himself off. So I know Matteo is a sensitive topic to him. But the real question is, Who is he?

  I jump in my seat as I hear something I haven’t heard in a long time. Laughter. Luca’s laughter. I look up and see him with his head thrown back and a large smile plastered on his face. It is a sunny day, so the sunlight is shining directly on him. Damn. I really wish Luca were at least somewhat unattractive. It would have made it easier for my body to be repulsed by him when he touches me.

  Luca is a puzzle to be figured out. I don’t understand him at all. His moods are up and down like a roller coaster. He has been home very rarely as of late. Today is one of the rare days he has actually been here. I guess he has dealings to do. I honestly don’t know what Luca’s workday consists of. I just know when he leaves and when he comes home.

  He points to something, and Matteo eagerly nods as Luca hands him the clippers. As if sensing being watched, Luca looks at my direction, his gray eyes catching me staring. He gives me a sexy grin, and I immediately blush and study the book that I am reading.

  “Elise.”

  I jump and look up to see Luca standing over me. He moves fast. There is a light sheen of sweat glistening over his skin, and he has a small smile on his face. I hate it when he looks at me like that. He has this look of adoration, as if I were so precious to him. He is about to say something when Romelo comes running out of the house and up to Luca, panting.

  “Capo, we have a problem.” His eyes are wild and full of fear.

  Luca’s face shifts, and he pulls Romelo off to the side, out of earshot. I watch them as Luca takes in the news, and his face grows irritated. He says something to Romelo, and he shakes his head vigorously. Luca crosses his arms and runs his hands through his hair. Romelo nods in agreement and walks off the opposite direction.

  “I have to leave to take care of something that has come up. I’ll be back home later, okay?”

  I nod slowly in understanding.

  Luca begins to walk away but pauses and looks at me with a serious expression. “Don’t bother Matteo.”

  I nod once again, showing him that I understand. He leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and steps into the house. I wait a few minutes before I follow his lead, heading into the house to get a glass of water. Luca is already pulling out of the driveway when I reach the kitchen. I pour myself some water and take a small sip, looking out the window over the sink. I can see Matteo in the distance.

  He is really focused on trimming the bushes. His brow is slightly furrowed, and he keeps shaking his head to move his hair out of his face. I laugh softly to myself. Maybe he should wear a headband if his hair is getting that long. You’d think he’d learn by now. He pauses, dropping the clippers on the ground and hunching over to take deep breaths. He has to be hot. It is at least eighty degrees out there. I step over to the fridge and grab a cold-water bottle and head back out the patio.

  I walk up next to him, catching his attention.

  “You look like you could use a break.” I give him a small smile while handing him the water.

  He eyes it untrustingly and looks back at me. “Look, Mrs. Pasquino. Mr. Pasquino said not to talk to you. And he made it pretty clear what my consequences would be if I did.”

  I can feel my frustration boiling up. “It’s just water,” I say with an annoyed tone.

  He stares at me for a moment longer before reaching out and taking the bottle from my hand. He opens the bottle and takes a long swig before speaking to me again.

  “I’m sorry. I know you’re just trying to be nice. Thank you.” His eyes flicker to my wrist. “You seem to be healing quite nicely,” he says.

  I involuntarily move my arm behind my back, looking away. The stitches have been taken out, so now all that is left is a light scar. “Well, I don’t want to get you in trouble,” I mumble and begin to walk away before stopping. I never know if I’m going to get another chance like this. “Are you and Luca related? You know, like brothers or half-brothers or anything?” I ask.

  He makes a face at me and laughs to himself softly. “No. I don’t have any siblings. And I never met Mr. Pasquino before last year.”

  I look away in frustration. Then why is Luca so nice to this kid? And why doesn’t he want me near him?

  “If that’s all, Mrs. Pasquino, thank you for the water, but I’m going to get back to my work.” He turns away from me and goes back to working on the bushes.

  I huff and walk away in frustration.

  * * * * *

  The sun has gone down, and I am all alone in the estate. Of course, there are Luca’s men here to keep me company, but they are just guarding the house. I have no phone, so there is no way I can contact Luca. Or anyone, for that matter. Not that I have anyone. I take a deep breath and exhale it. What am I going to do for the rest of my life?

  I step into the living room and turn on the TV. I haven’t watched TV in a while. I eventually settle on some cooking channel and snuggle into the soft couch, falling asleep.

  There is a tickle on my thigh. It slowly moves its way up, circling a pattern. I twitch and swat at it. There is another tickle on my face, tracing my cheek. I try to swat at it, but it starts back up. I open my eyes to find the source of the feeling and gasp when I find it. Luca is kneeling in front of the couch. The only light in the room comes from the TV, and it is causing him to be silhouetted.

  I look at his face and his clothes, and he seems to be drenched in something. Sweat? He is staring at me with an emotionless expression and reaches out to touch my face.

  “God, you are beautiful,” he murmurs. His hand reaches my face as he cups my cheek, and that is when it hits me. The metallic odor. I let out a small gasp, my heart rate increasing.

  “L-Luca?” I reach out with shaky hands to feel the front of his saturated shirt, praying that it is water or sweat. My fingertips brush the front of the shirt, and the sticky residue that comes with it answers my question. Blood.

  I immediately jump back from Luca, falling off the other side of the couch and scrambling away from him on the floor. He is still watching me with that frightening expression.

  “Oh god!” I gasp aloud. Obviously, none of it is his blood, or he won’t even be here right now.

  He leans away from the couch on his hands and knees and begins crawling toward me with a sadistic look on his face.

  “Luca, what’s going on?”

  He doesn’t speak to me; it is like he is not even there. He grabs on to my leg, and I squeal as the blood running from his arms oozes onto me. I jerk my leg away and try to kick him.

  “Come here, baby.” His voice is terrifying. He is not himself. There is blood all over the carpet from where he is standing. “I just want to love you,” he murmurs while moving closer to me.

  “Luca, please, you’re not yourself right now,” I try to beg and hope that he will resurface, but to no avail.

  He yanks on my leg, dragging me toward him so that I am trapped underneath his bloodied body, the blood from his shirt seeping into mine as he lies on top of me. I scream and cry, begging him to get off me, but he doesn’t listen. He grabs my face in between his hands and makes me meet his eyes. They are void of any emotion. His dark irises keep moving across my face as he takes in each of my features.

  “You’re so damn beautiful. I’ll protect you, baby. I won’t let them get you,” he murmurs. He leans in and begins nuzzling my cheek, smearing blood all over my face. I gag from the scent.

  “Luca, please,” I try again.

  “Shhhhhh.” He puts his hand over my mouth, and that i
s all it takes for me to vomit.

  He cringes his face in disgust and removes his hand as all the contents of my stomach are emptied. I take the opportunity to jump up from him and take off through the dark house. I have sprinted for the stairs, trying to take them two at a time, when I feel a hand on my ankle, causing me to fall and face-plant into the stairs. I cry out in pain as he drags me down the steps toward him.

  “Luca!” I scream in desperation. Whatever he has gone to do isn’t pretty at all, and it sends him into some kind of semiconscious state.

  He pulls me down the stairs so that I am lying on the hardwood floor. I look up into his eyes and whimper in fear. He is angry.

  “Don’t you dare run from me! You’re my wife!” he shouts.

  I close my eyes and cringe. He flips me over on my stomach and shoves my dress up. I immediately begin to struggle in panic.

  “Luca, please stop! You’re covered in blood. Please don’t do this!” I frantically cry out.

  He flips me back over so that I am lying on my back. I am crying so hard in fear right now I can feel my breathing come out in quicker pants as a panic attack takes over. Luca moves a little, and I open my eyes. I am looking up the barrel of a gun. He is aiming it directly at my face.

  I open my mouth and close it, unable to make any sounds. I don’t know what to say or do. The gun moves to the underside of my jaw, and he presses the cold metal against my skin. He leans in slowly and begins kissing the other side of my jaw lightly.

  “Don’t say a word,” he whispers.

  He continues to kiss me lightly down the side of my throat, slowly making his way to my collarbone. There is no sound except for my frantic breathing and his kisses. His hands are roaming all over my body. I can only struggle underneath him. I close my eyes tightly as the tears fall freely down my face.

  Suddenly, Luca is lifted off me. I open my eyes to see Romelo and Nicolai on either side of him. They are covered in blood as well, but not as much as Luca is. They struggle with him, slamming him into the wall. His eyes are still on me; he has a crazed look in his eye as he watches me.