Deadly Vows

by Haley Stuart

  I look down at his bare chest and look at the scars on his chest. Most of them are covered by the most frightening tattoos I have ever seen. I move my eyes farther down to one tattoo I haven’t noticed before, covering the area where his heart is.

  Elise

  “Elise.” I look up in shock and see Luca watching me. “Come here.”

  I stand slowly and walk toward where he lies on the bed. Once I reach him, he throws his legs over and pulls me in a tight embrace. I slowly wrap my arms around him in return.

  “When I saw him aiming that gun at your head, God, I thought for sure …” His embrace tightens around me.

  I open my mouth to reassure him. “Thank you for saving me, Luca.”

  He jerks my body away from his and stares me in the eyes.

  “You don’t ever have to thank me for that, Elise. I am your husband. I will protect you no matter what.” He reaches out and cups my face. “Because I love you, Elise.” He gives me a soft smile.

  I can only stare back into those eyes. Each time he tells me he loves me, it makes me that much angrier. How can you tell someone you love them and do the things he has done? This whole mess is his doing. He has wanted to make a spectacle of Ari’s death and drag Matteo into it with him.

  Luca’s smile falters as he takes notice of the tears that are slowly forming in my eyes.

  “What is it?” he asks.

  I shake my head vigorously, not wanting to make him angry or cause a scene. He opens his mouth to say something else, but the doctor walks in with his paperwork before he can.

  * * * * *

  It is a whole other week until Matteo finally awakens. His eyes open, and he immediately begins to look around frantically. It brings me joy when his eyes land on me and he relaxes. We fill him in on everything that has happened. Personally, I don’t want to tell him, but Luca thinks he should know.

  Matteo is finally breathing on his own, and so the doctors move him off the breathing machine. When we are in his presence, he is happy. But sometimes I catch him with a hardened expression on his face.

  We are finally able to take Matteo home after a few days. Luca is at the front desk, signing him out, and I sit in the room with him to keep him company.

  “Elise.” Matteo’s voice suddenly pulls me from my thoughts. I stand up from my seat across the room and immediately walk to him.

  “Are you all right?”

  He nods and takes a deep breath. “I wanted to do it, you know. I still want to.”

  I look at him with a confused expression. Before I can say anything on the subject, Matteo looks at me with his deep-green eyes.

  “I want to talk to Luca. Alone, please.”

  I don’t know how to respond; I only stand from the edge of his bed and walk out into the waiting area. Surely, he doesn’t mean what I think he means?

  I round the corner and pause when I see Luca standing by the wall of brochures. He has one in his hand and is reading it very intently. He turns to the side slightly, and I am shocked to see a pamphlet on babies in his hand. I look back at his face to see if he is just doing some bored scanning, but he is very focused on whatever it is he is reading.

  I hope he doesn’t want a child. Living with Luca is already torture enough, but trying to raise a child and protect him or her from their father will be too much. It will be a punishment in itself. If there is one thing I know, it is that Luca Pasquino is not ready for kids. I don’t think he ever will be.

  “Luca.” His head shoots up, and he nonchalantly moves the pamphlet behind his back.

  “What?”

  “Uh … Matteo wanted to see you.”

  I am having trouble looking at him. The way he is watching me makes me feel squeamish. He doesn’t respond to me as he takes a step around me and walks into Matteo’s room.

  Chapter 31

  Luca

  I sit in my office, with Matteo seated across from me. Revenge. That is what he wants. And I am more than happy to give it to him. I lean back in my chair and study him closely. His body language says that he wants this, but something small is holding him back. It has been three weeks since we’ve taken him home from the hospital. His recovery has been going well. As well as my own. I am quickly starting to feel like my old self again. And I love it.

  Even though I have been injured, that has not stopped me from having sex with Elise every day. Even times throughout the day when she happens to be alone, I will find her and fill her with my seed. I smile to myself. Her last shot has actually been a prenatal drug instead of birth control, which means she has been injected with a substance that will make her fertile. Not only that, but I have been putting those kinds of pills in her food too. For some reason, recently I have been wanting a child. Whether it is from almost dying or my feelings before that event, I can’t tell. But I know that if I express that with Elise, she will do everything in her power to make that impossible.

  “So they’re still alive.”

  Even though Matteo’s voice comes out very quiet, he interrupts my train of thought. He almost reminds me of Elise in this moment, averting his gaze from mine like she always does. They both do that when they are asking about something they have no business in.

  “Yes. It is traditional for the capo to decide how those who have risen against him will be punished.”

  Matteo finally looks up. “And how do you plan on punishing them?”

  I sit back in my chair. I haven’t really thought about that. Lately, I have been so preoccupied with Elise I haven’t even bothered to think about those people. But since I am almost as good as new and Matteo is also, their punishment can very well be carried out.

  When Matteo asks me in his room in the hospital that day, he wants one thing. Revenge on the person that has caused all the pain and suffering to him and Elise. And I am more than happy to give that to him. But we have to delay it due to the fact that we have to get stronger and heal from our wounds.

  Now that we have recovered, it is time for me to fulfill my promise to Matteo.

  “You need to know I can’t swear you in. I made a promise to your sister.”

  Matteo looks at me and nods. “I know. I won’t ask you to swear me in, but I do want to ask you another request.”

  I lean back in my seat, waiting for the question I already know he is about to ask.

  “I want to be the one to kill Arianna.”

  The room is silent as his request hangs in the air between us. In all honesty, this has all worked out perfectly. Matteo’s killing of those that threaten his capo’s life will make him somewhat acceptable into the North family even though I can’t swear him in. He will have some form of respect, and a target won’t be on his back because of his bloodline.

  I open my mouth to respond, but something catches my eye. There is a shadow underneath the door. It is barely there, and if it hasn’t moved, I won’t have noticed it. I can feel my irritation bubbling up. I stand, and Matteo looks at me with fear on his face. Probably from my abrupt stance. I stalk over to the other side of the room and jerk the door open. Sure enough, Elise is standing on the other side.

  She stumbles back, staring at me with wide eyes. If I weren’t so furious, I would have smiled. She looks like a little kid that has just gotten caught stealing from the cookie jar.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” As I speak to her, I let my irritation seep through.

  She continues to look at me, speechless. Her eyes then travel past me into my office, landing on Matteo. She slowly reaches out, and my eyes immediately follow the movement.

  Her frail fingers clasp around the sleeve of my jacket, and she slowly tugs me away from the office. Her steps are unsure and fearful. I decide to just follow her and see what it is she wants. When she pulls me far enough away from the door, she finally speaks.

  “Luca, you can’t let him do this … kill Ari. He’s only fifteen, he doesn’t know what he’s saying! He’s just acting out on anger.”

  If I weren’t so entranced
by her innocence, I would have slapped her across the face. Instead, I reach out for her face, cradling it in between my thumb and forefinger, forcing her eyes to meet mine.

  “Elise, how old was I when I became a man? I’m sure you know.” I give her an amused smile, trying my best to hide my anger. She avoids my gaze and looks at the ceiling instead.

  “Ten.” Her voice comes out in a whisper.

  “So I think Matteo’s decision is very reasonable, don’t you?” I ask.

  She still doesn’t look at me. She is looking at the floor. My anger immediately flares. I thread my fingers through her hair and shove her with all my force into the ground. She cries out, kneeling.

  “You wanna look at the fucking floor? Fine. Take a good look.” She just kneels there with her head down, not speaking.

  “Luca, if you let him kill them, I will never forgive you.” Her voice comes out controlled and strong.

  I can feel a laugh bubbling up within my throat. I can’t help myself as amusement flares within me, and I laugh. And laugh. And laugh. She can’t be serious. I don’t give a damn if she doesn’t forgive me. And she has no damn business trying to demand me, the fucking capo. It is obvious she has forgotten her damn place since I have been injured as of late, and I am going to have to remind her.

  Before she can move again, I yank her up from the floor and carry her quickly up the stairs.

  * * * * *

  Drip drip drip.

  I stand in the middle of the abandoned barn in the middle of nowhere. This is where we do some of our executions. Matteo is standing next to me, a serious expression on his face. It is obvious from his stance he is ready.

  The four traitors stand in front of us. Arianna and Stefano and their two men on the inside posing as my men. There is a table of implements next to me, all kinds of different tools on the walls, but as I look at these people, something snaps inside of me. Something primal and evil. Something I’ve tried to keep down, because once it takes hold, it is hard for me to shake it, and it changes me into a worse person than I already am. But looking at these people makes me blind to being rational.

  “You two are in luck,” I say, looking at Arianna and Stefano. I let all the malice seep into my voice. Stefano keeps his gaze down, and Arianna is looking at me with fear in her eyes. “I hate you. Both of you. You’ve put me and my wife at risk too many times. And if not for my wife, you would have been dead a long time ago.”

  I step away from them and pulled out the gun I keep in my holster, handing it to Matteo.

  “He wanted the honors of killing you. And since I don’t want anything to go wrong during torture, I want both of you dead now.”

  I step away from Matteo and up to my two men, looking them deep into their souls. I can see the fear pouring off them, and it heightens my excitement.

  “You aren’t as lucky.” I snap my fingers, and Romelo comes up next to me, ready to take them into the next room. I am going to make their deaths slow and painful. I turn to Matteo.

  “You can dispose of them however you wish. Once you’re done, you can come watch my handiwork or go wait in the car. It’s your decision.”

  With that, I exit the main part of the barn, heading into one of the rooms with the poor souls that will next die at my hands.

  As I sit in the room, getting ready to begin, I hear a beautiful sound that makes the hair on my skin prickle with excitement, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

  The gun I have given Matteo has gone off.

  Chapter 32

  Elise

  Matteo steps into the room, and as soon as we make eye contact, I stand to leave.

  “Wait, Elise,” his voice calls out.

  I can’t even begin to look at him. He is just like Luca. It should have made sense, because Luca has been the only male figure in his life. I should’ve paid attention more. Ever since Matteo has done what he has done, I have been avoiding him like crazy. Every time I look at him, I see Luca’s conniving face. And Matteo has been following him around like a lost puppy. If Romelo is Matteo’s shadow, then Matteo is Luca’s new shadow.

  “Please stop being mad. I did what I did for the both of us. Arianna has ruined our lives. Because of her, my mother is dead. And so is yours. Because of her, you’ve had to suffer. She kept information from you and used you. Elise, you should be happy I got rid of her.”

  I look at him in horror.

  “My god, Luca has brainwashed you. You can’t really be that naïve, Matteo. Luca is the one that killed your mother! Luca killed my father. Luca did this to me, to you! How could you possibly think that Arianna had any part in that?”

  Matteo’s eyes grow angry as he stares at me. “Luca did those things to protect his family!”

  “So did Arianna! What do you even know of family, Matteo? You grew up away from all this! From the Mob, from the family. You’re not even sworn in! How can you speak like that?”

  Matteo looks away with an irritated expression. He looks back at me with those deep-green eyes. “I meant you. You’re his family, Elise. He did everything he’s done to protect you …” He trails off, looking in the hallway before continuing. “Luca has saved my life countless times. He has always taken care of me. And he’s taught me things. Even though it was unorthodox, he gave me the chance to get my revenge. He gave me the chance to be accepted by this family, because life would have been hard for me because I wasn’t sworn in, and especially who I was. And you should know this, Elise. I know he killed our father, but he did it to protect you. He took care of me because it was what you would have wanted. He’s been watching out for you this whole time, Elise.”

  I shake my head. “You can’t really be this blind, Matteo. You acted as if you hated him just a few weeks ago!”

  “I know. Because I did. He hurt you, and you’re my sister. My blood. But when it all comes down to it, Luca is the one that I know better. And last night, Luca gave me the chance that I needed. Whether you want to admit it or not, Luca has been looking out for us.” Matteo walks to the door before turning back to me with an expression filled with anger. “All your life you had it easy. Luca’s life was hard, as was mine. And I see daily what he deals with. Being capo isn’t easy, Elise. The least you can do is be thankful to him for saving you. For saving us.”

  He walks out of the room, and I can feel anger flaring up within me. I jump from my seat and run out into the hallway, determined to find Matteo, but I run face-first into Luca. I stumble backward in shock, but Luca immediately reaches out to steady me.

  I open my mouth to apologize. “I’m sorry.”

  I look up at Luca, and he is watching me with a curious expression. He takes a step to the side. “You chasing after your brother?” He looks at me expectantly, like he is waiting for me to dash out of the kitchen.

  “I was … yes.” I look down, not wanting to meet his eyes. I can feel his fingers under my chin as he guides my face up to meet his. He looks into my eyes, making me want to fidget under his piercing gaze.

  “Well, aren’t you going to go get him, then?” Luca has an amused smirk on his face as he watches me.

  “No … it’s okay. We both just need to cool off.” I try to step around Luca, but he grabs my arm.

  “How about you come with me for the rest of the day?” Luca doesn’t wait for me to respond; he takes me by the hand and guides me upstairs to our bedroom. Once the door closes behind us, he takes my hand, leading me to the bed. He lays us down, dragging my body close to his.

  “Why are you bothering Matteo?” His hand is lightly tracing my stomach. I am honestly afraid to respond.

  “I wasn’t. He started talking to me first.”

  Luca lets out a deep chuckle behind me. “I find it amusing that you went through all that trouble to get him and now you won’t even speak to him.” Luca’s amusement at my predicament causes irritation to boil up within me.

  “I didn’t expect him to be just like you.”

  Luca stops tracing the pattern. “Me? How so?
”

  “A killer.” I squeeze my eyes, afraid of what Luca is about to do to me.

  “A killer, huh?” I feel his chest heave behind me as he takes a deep breath. He jerks away from me and gets out of the bed.

  I immediately sit up and watch him as he paces back and forth in front of me, running his fingers roughly through his hair.

  “Elise, you act like I chose to be this way.” He finally looks over to me, and I am shocked to see the hurt in his eyes. “You act like I was born into a normal family, with normal parents, with normal jobs, and I just chose to grow up and be this way. You act like the world is filled with nothing but love and rainbows.” He gives a bitter chuckle before continuing.

  “Well, I hate to be the one to bear the bad news, babe, but it’s not. We live in a world where such a thing called the Mafia exists, and I was the lucky bastard born into leading it. And you were born into it also. Except you led a nice little life where your biggest problem was your father not paying attention to you. My biggest problem was shooting someone in the neck instead of the head because if I kept them alive, it was my life on the line. My biggest problem was learning to interrogate people, hurt people, kill people because it was my duty to my family. And if I didn’t, I was beat and starved by my father.”

  My eyes grow wide as Luca opens up to me.

  “Dammit, Elise! You want to hate me because I let your brother take his revenge? If I didn’t, he would be dead within the next six months. Your family betrayed us. Everyone here would question his loyalty and allegiance. He would not have survived! I didn’t swear him in, but I still gave him the chance to be accepted by the family when I didn’t have to! I could have just sworn him in, completely ignoring your request.”

  He sighs. “You’re so selfish! You paint me to be this horrible man when I’ve done nothing but provide for you, protect you, and care for you! Because you finally get to see what life is like on this side and you can’t take it, I’m the bad guy?” He chuckles.