Deadly Vows

by Haley Stuart

  He wipes his face of emotion and spits at me. It almost lands on my fucking face. I push the drill into the thick muscle of his thigh until it is fully sheathed, and even then, I keep the drill on high. Jeffries screams out in agony, and I stop the drill, keeping it fully sheathed in his thigh.

  “You do realize that because of you, when I finally found her, she was pregnant?” I motion for Romelo to hand me the hammer and some nails. I place a nail on top of his thigh and aim the hammer.

  “She claims she was pregnant before Alexander touched her. But you know, I’m still a little skeptical about that. So imagine what I have to go through, not knowing for certain whether or not that’s my child.” With that, I hammer the nails in a line down his thigh. He is crying out, but still not cracking.

  I look at Romelo. “Get me the jumper cables.” I look at Agent Jeffries. “That chair you’re sitting in is all metal.”

  At that moment, Romelo sets down the cables that are attached to a car battery.

  “Let’s see how quiet you are when you have this current running through your body.”

  Two and a half hours later, I have my answers. And I do not like them one bit. I am shaking in a rage. Anger is clouding my better judgment.

  “Boss.”

  Romelo’s hesitant voice tells me everything I already know. I am not stable right now. There is something much bigger than me at play here. Everyone is against me. Outside of the North family, they are trying to bring me down. Someone has stationed a snitch among my contacts in the government.

  They are trying to get rid of me. That’s why Elise has been chased down in that crash. They have thought she was me. They are trying to kill me. And by sending Elise to an auction house, where other leaders are, they know that by buying her, a war is sure to erupt. If that woman hasn’t called me about Elise, I would have gone off the deep end and started a war, assuming one of those bastards has Elise. And that is what I’ve almost done.

  That is also why my father has been shot down and why Matteo and I have almost been killed by the disgusting traitors at that party. This goes deeper than the Trovolis. They have other traitors with them as well helping with their affairs.

  It is time for me to go underground until I can get everything in order. Until I can weed out the traitors and snitches and make everyone fear me once again and think twice about betraying me.

  I look at my watch. Tomorrow. We need to pack everything up and be gone before the day after tomorrow. I turn to Romelo.

  “Can you get Jeffries’s contacts, in the government address, that snitched on us?” I ask.

  He nods. I turn to look at the dead agent’s body.

  “I want you to send his body in pieces to the man. And tell him he’s next. I’ve had it with traitors.”

  Romelo moves to grab the ax off the wall and begins dismembering Agent Jeffries. But I stop him. This is fucking personal. I grab the ax myself and go to work.

  Chapter 50

  Elise

  Never in a million years would I have thought I want Luca’s presence, but here I am, watching the door, hoping he’ll walk through any second. But he doesn’t. Nicolai tries to give me a reassuring smile every time I look toward the door, but it doesn’t help. I feel like someone is going to get me unless Luca is here with me.

  “So this is where you live?”

  Eli’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He is looking around at my home in fascination. Rocco is sitting at my feet, with his tongue lolling out of his head. He really seems to be happy about seeing me.

  “You know, I remember you saying your husband was important, but damn …” He is still talking about the house.

  “How’d you end up here?” I ask.

  He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “Your husband said you could use some company. He said you spoke highly of us.”

  I eye him skeptically. That isn’t all he has told him. Eli is acting different. I look back toward where Nicolai is standing, and he gives me another reassuring smile. I motion for him to come over, and he hurries to my direction.

  “Have you gotten a call from Luca?” I say.

  He shakes his head, and I feel my stomach drop. I have been so dependent on him. I need him. I’ve only recently gotten to the point where I can function without him being in the room. But I have to know which room he is in at least. And how long he’ll be gone.

  The nightmares have gotten worse. Every time I close my eyes, I am in a horrible situation. The nightmares with Alexander have thinned out. Now it is just with someone that I don’t know. Not even a face, but a dark figure that is torturing me. And instead of me being able to escape, there is no way out. Sometimes the dreams end in my child being ripped away from me. And Luca doesn’t rescue us.

  I am having a hard time adjusting to his absence currently. I feel so paranoid about everything. Every time I round the corner, if I am just standing in the kitchen, I feel like someone is watching me, about to snatch me up to get to Luca. Or worse, the life growing inside of me. I am more than excited that we are having this baby and Luca is growing to accept him, but as the term drags on, more and more doubt wells up inside of me.

  If the world finds out about our bundle of joy, enemies left and right will come and try to end him. And what better time to get to him than when he is still growing inside his mother’s womb? Not only that, but since it is a boy, that means he is going to one day inherit this empire. Which means when he is born, Luca will begin grooming him once he is old enough. Of course, that isn’t what I want for my son, but I don’t really have a choice in the matter.

  I am shocked out of my thoughts as Eli snaps his fingers in front of my face.

  “Hello? Anybody home? Gosh, girl, you seem out of it.”

  I feel my face burning and let out a sheepish laugh. “Sorry. My mind is just somewhere else right now,” I say.

  He looks like he is still concerned. “So what have you been doing in the time you’ve been home? Anything particular?” he says.

  “Not really. I’ve just been trying to adjust. How’d you get out here?” I ask.

  “Well, your husband is a very convincing man, and we just couldn’t refuse the invitation. Besides, he paid for airfare and everything, so …” He shrugs, as if it were nothing, but I know Luca. I am sure he hasn’t politely asked him out here.

  “How’s your leg?” I ask.

  He motions to his leg. “Well, I have to say that I’ve never been on crutches before, so it’s been a little difficult, but I’ll make it.”

  “And you didn’t go to the police?” I ask, really hoping he hasn’t. If Luca finds out, he’ll have him taken care of.

  He shakes his head. “No. I remember what you said about your husband, so I figured it wouldn’t be the smartest move. I watch the movies.” He gives me a smile, and I can’t help a small giggle that escapes my lips.

  “Yeah, well, this life is nothing like the movies. If anything, the movies downplay it,” I say honestly.

  He shrugs his shoulders. “So your husband … he’s not really a people person, is he?” he says.

  I know that tone. “What did he do?”

  He gives an off laugh. “Oh, nothing too bad, just kicked my crutches out from under me because I didn’t say hello. I mean, honestly, I thought I had every right to not say hello, seeing as he put me on these things in the first place,” he says.

  “I’m sorry, he’s just used to things going his way,” I say.

  “Yeah, obviously.” He points to my stomach. “So you guys know what you’re having?”

  “A boy.”

  He leans back in his chair. “Great, a mini version of your husband.” He says it jokingly, not knowing how spot-on he is. Once this baby is old enough, Luca is going to train him to be just like him.

  “You okay? You seem different.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little shaken. I can’t help but feel like something bad is going to happen. I’m going to be stuck with someone as bad as that man was and I’ll
never be saved.”

  I feel his hand over mine and immediately jerk back, looking around. Nicolai is watching us from the doorway. “You can’t touch me like that,” I say.

  He raises his hands. “Okay, okay, sorry. I’m just really sorry that whatever happened to you happened. I can tell it must have been horrible. You look like you haven’t slept in days, and I see the way you keep looking around.”

  I let out a deep breath.

  “It sounds like you may have PTSD. The paranoia, the nightmares … you seemed fine when you were with me, but even then, I could tell you were a little bothered by something. And it’s gotten worse since then.”

  I look away.

  We continue to talk as the sun sets and nightfall begins to take over. I look over, and Nicolai is still standing in the doorway, fully alert.

  “Well, I think it’s time for me to turn in and go to sleep. I’m exhausted,” I say.

  Eli smiles at me understandingly. “Yeah, you need all the sleep you can get before that little guy gets here.”

  I laugh at his response. He gives me a hug, and I pet Rocco one last time before one of Luca’s men walks him out.

  I walk toward Nicolai, and he looks at me knowing what I am about to ask.

  “Have you heard from Luca?”

  He looks as though he is about to lie to me but thinks better of it. “No.”

  I can feel my eyes widening as fear creeps up my spine. Why hasn’t he called? Could something have happened? I can feel a full-blown panic attack forming in my chest.

  Nicolai places his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes. “I’m sure everything is fine, Elise. He had important business to take care of tonight, and he probably is just too busy to call. You’re completely safe here, okay?”

  I nod, but his words fall on deaf ears. If Luca isn’t here, I am not safe.

  I push past Nicolai into the house, walking to the kitchen for a drink of water. I step in to see Matteo picking at some food on his plate. He looks up when he sees me.

  “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

  I nod vigorously, heading to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. I hate how frightened I am. The anxiety I have is building by the second. I feel like I am going to explode into a fit of screams any minute now. I jump as I feel something on my shoulder, a loud scream escaping my lips.

  Matteo is right behind me and looks shocked. He takes a step back.

  “I was just trying to talk to you,” he says.

  I nod. “I know, I’m sorry.” I don’t wait for him to respond as I run out of the kitchen to find Nicolai. The clock reads 11:47. I see Nicolai standing in the foyer.

  “Nicolai.” His shoulders tense, and he turns around to face me. I can already tell by the expression on his face the answer to my unasked question.

  “Please tell me Luca is on his way home.”

  He lets out a deep sigh, shaking his head. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes as pure fear begins coursing through my veins. My arms feel tingly, as if someone is watching me, and the paranoia is beginning to set in.

  “Call him,” I say.

  Nicolai looks shocked. “Uh, ma’am?”

  “I said, call him. Now.” I try to emphasize the urgency.

  He slowly pulls his phone out, dialing Luca and handing it to me. It only rings once before Luca picks up.

  “This better be fucking important,” he growls into the phone.

  I flinch from his tone, memories flashing into my head. “I … I …”

  “Elise?” His whole tone completely changes. “Are you okay? What’s going on? Are you hurt? Is it the baby?” He starts asking me one question after another.

  “No, no, everything’s fine. I just wanted to know when you’d be home,” I say.

  He lets out a long breath. “Elise, I want you to go shower. Get Nicolai once you’re dressed and tell him to search the room while you’re there. Once he’s done, get in bed. Close all the windows and lock them and close the bedroom door. He will be standing guard outside your room along with my most trusted men, okay?” He once again is speaking to me as if I were a five-year-old. I guess with my behavior, I am acting like one. I am like a child afraid of the dark.

  “Elise,” his voice comes through the phone once again, and I realize I haven’t responded to him.

  “When will you be home?” I ask again. There is a pause on the other end.

  “I promise I’ll be home by the time you wake up, beautiful.” His voice comes out like silk, and I know he is trying to sweet-talk me. “I love you, okay?” he says into the phone.

  My heart is pounding in my chest. Earlier, I haven’t thought about it when I’ve responded to him, and it has been so quiet he hasn’t even heard me when I’ve said it. But now, on the phone, I have every chance to say it back. But am I sure of my feelings? Am I only feeling this way because I am scared?

  “Hand the phone to Nicolai,” he says.

  I frown, a little disappointed, but give in, giving the phone to Nicolai and heading upstairs.

  Later, I am standing by the doorway as Nicolai does a thorough search of the room. He walks toward me with a soft smile on his face.

  “Looks like the boogeyman won’t be getting you tonight, Mrs. Pasquino.” He heads to the door, pulling it close behind him. “I’ll be right outside. Luca will be home any minute now, okay? Sweet dreams.” The door closes, leaving me in the bedroom alone.

  I slowly walk to the bed, getting under the plush covers. As soon as I close my eyes, I feel a pressure in my stomach. He is kicking again.

  “You always decide to act up when I’m going to sleep,” I mumble. I can’t help the small smile that creeps on my face. I place my hand over my stomach and feel where he is kicking. In a few months, I am going to be a mother, and Luca a father.

  I am excited but, at the same time, terrified. Once he is the right age, Luca is going to take my baby boy and train him to be a cold-blooded killer. And that is the last thing I wanted for my son. I want him to be kind and gentle. I want him to have a chance at life and to love and be loved. I know there is no choice for him in the matter, though. Luca’s father and mine are a clear example of what I don’t want to happen to him.

  I know what he is meant to do, but I want him to know the difference between duty and family. I want him to know what love is. Maybe I can make some kind of arrangement with Luca. Maybe I can talk him out of turning our son cruel.

  I let out a loud laugh. As if that will be possible. Born in blood—that is what we are. This is a part of us. There are no exceptions, no escape. Just accepting what is.

  I rub my stomach as a new thought comes over me. With everything that is going on, Luca and I have hardly had a chance to come up with what he will be named. I will have to discuss it with him as soon as he gets home and things settle down.

  Chapter 51

  Luca

  My watch reads 3:30 a.m. We are just now getting back. We have to dispose of the body, cover every possible track, and make it seem like we have never been there. It is a lot of work, but it will all be worth it in the end.

  I look at Romelo, and I can see he is just as tired as I am.

  “I want my office packed. Leave nothing behind. Wake Matteo, and whatever he wants to bring, tell him to bring it. I want all the important files packed away. Do not wake Elise until the very last second, when it’s time to leave. We need to do this quickly and quietly. Tell no one of our plan. As soon as we are gone, take your loved ones and go into hiding as well. I’ll give Nicolai the same orders. You two will also be targets because you’re my right-hand guys.”

  He nods, and we go to work.

  It takes us about three hours to get everything packed up and situated. Once the cars are loaded and the men are aware of the situation, I call a meeting. While everyone is getting gathered, I walk up the stairs to my bedroom. Nicolai is standing at the ready once I arrive.

  “How many nightmares?” I ask, knowing that she has had some.
/>
  “Three total. The last one was the worst. I don’t know if she went back to sleep from it or if she’s still awake.”

  I nod and enter the room. Elise is asleep on her side, with pillows in between her legs. I make a mental note to get her a body pillow. I gently shake her, and her eyes open immediately, laced with fear. Once she realizes it is me, the fear is replaced by joy, and I can’t help the smile that comes onto my face.

  “Hey, baby.”

  “Hey.” Her voice comes out in a small whisper, and she blushes, looking away.

  “I don’t want you to get scared, but I need you to get dressed and meet me downstairs in fifteen minutes, okay?”

  She looks confused and reads the time on the clock.

  “I know it’s early. I just need you to do what I asked, okay? I’ll explain everything later.”

  She nods and stretches out on the bed. I am planning on turning to leave, but I am so mesmerized by the action. Her hair is messy from sleep, and it looks sexy as hell. And she has worn a tank top and underwear to bed. She looks beautiful. Before I realize what I am doing, I am caressing her cheek with my hand and then cupping her face, leaning in. Her eyes are wide while she watches me. I capture her soft lips in mine. She immediately kisses me back. I can feel my dick getting hard in my pants at the contact. It has been so long since I’ve felt her lips against mine. And my body obviously misses it.

  By the time I finally pull back, we are both panting. I don’t know what to say. I lean in, giving her a quick peck on the lips and turning to leave.

  * * * * *

  I look at all the men in the room. Men I have trained with, grown up with. Some I am related to, and some sworn in. But I trust these men with my life.

  “This isn’t easy for me to say, and it honestly makes me angry. It’s time for us to disperse. There are things going on outside of the North family. Until I can figure out specifically what, our being together and in the open isn’t safe anymore. Take your families and go underground. Keep an ear out because I will be in contact with all of you. I am not disclosing my location to anyone. And neither should you. Tell no one of where you’re going. And if you do, do so at your own risk. This is much bigger than us. And until we can figure out a way to get out of this, we need to lie low. For how long, I cannot tell you. But stay ready. This is not a vacation. This is a preparation. At any moment, I can call you with the plan. We are the most powerful family in the North—hell, maybe even the world—so we will be back. And we will have our vengeance.”