Dark Vow (Blackwoods College)

“If you move, I will kill you.” Calvin nodded at Matthias, who pulled open the door and held it.

Calvin grabbed my arm and pushed me away. I stumbled but let him take me out of the room. Calvin’s men came next, with Matthias last.

Nobody fired a shot.

Calvin hurried outside. He tugged me along and I stumbled to keep up. His men moved swiftly, fanning out, making sure we were safe before getting into the cars and driving away.

Matthias sat up front and stared ahead with a stony expression. Calvin glared out the window like he wanted to rip the glass to shreds.

I sat there breathing hard.

We’d almost died back there. All because that gangster made some stupid joke about me being a hooker that Calvin didn’t like.

He could’ve gotten everyone filled with bullets for his stupid pride.

I was flushed and angry.

I didn’t want him to do stupid crap like that. I would’ve let the insult go—it was petty and dumb and meant less than nothing coming from a man like that.

But Calvin couldn’t do it. He’d rather risk all our lives.

“Was it worth it?” Matthias asked, breaking the heavy silence.

I wanted to know the same thing.

Calvin grunted in response. “Yes, it was.”

“You’re being reckless.”

“I will not tolerate—”

“Reckless,” Matthias said again, emphasizing the word. He looked back, glanced at me, then stared at Calvin. “I understand how you feel about the girl—”

“You understand nothing,” Calvin said, returning the anger tenfold. “Know your place, Matthias. Don’t overstep.”

Matthias stared at Calvin for a long few seconds. There was hurt in his eyes.

He turned and stopped speaking.

Calvin looked exhausted. He rubbed at his face and sat unmoving for the rest of the trip back to the hotel. When we arrived, he stepped out and grabbed Matthias’s wrist.

“Double the guard. And I’m sorry.”

Matthias nodded. “I’ll make it happen.”

Calvin let him go. The man walked off, barking orders at the soldiers.

I joined Calvin on the sidewalk. I didn’t know what to say, and he lingered there, glaring after Matthias as the guards went to park the vehicles.

“You almost got everyone killed.” I should’ve watched my mouth, but I couldn’t help it. “Matthias was right to give you shit.”

“I know that.”

“Then why? Why be so stupid and risk everything?”

He turned on me and grabbed my arms. I stepped back, but he held me close, staring into my eyes with a white-hot fire that made my stomach lurch with fear and excitement. I struggled, but he was a monster with a steel grip.

“Because nobody insults you. Nobody looks down on you. Not anymore.”

“Calvin—”

“You can tell me that it’s stupid. Shortsighted. You can say you don’t want it. I don’t give a damn.”

“You’re right. You’re being stupid.”

“And you’re mine, Robyn. If they don’t respect you, then they don’t respect me. I will not tolerate that. Not for anything.”

I shook my head slowly. “I don’t want this.”

“I don’t care.” He released me. “Go to your room.” He snapped his fingers at a guard, summoning him over. The man looked apologetic as he steered me inside.

I glanced back at Calvin as I went through the automatic doors, and his face was twisted with rage. He looked like a maniac, like he wanted to tear through the city and rip down the houses brick by brick. His eyes were wide and his hands wrapped into fists, and I could imagine him killing, killing, killing—and taking me with him down into the darkest depths of his private hell.

He’d do it, if I let him. He’d drag me through filth and muck and say he loved me all the while.

I was terrified that I’d let him.

I turned away and let the guard take me upstairs. I didn’t argue. I’d seen enough violence today, and my hands still shook with adrenaline and fear.

6

Calvin

I turned the lock pick set, and the door clicked open. Matthias moved past me, pushing open the back door of the modest row home in a quiet but upscale Riga neighborhood not far from the government district.

My men followed, silent as wraiths. We were ghosts, spirits, demons in the night. The kitchen was clean and neat and organized. Children’s drawings covered the refrigerator. The living room was filled with toys and magazines but comfortable and cozy. My soldiers checked each room, silently motioning all clear.

We headed upstairs. Matthias held the soldiers back as I pushed open the door that led into the master bedroom.

I took a moment to let my eyes adjust. A machine played white noise over the sounds of two people softly snoring. I walked past a mirror, pictures hung on the walls, photographs of young people smiling into the camera, at a wedding, at a party, on a hike, then stood beside Emils Jansons’s bedside.

I knelt down and put my hand over his mouth.

He startled awake, stared, then struggled. He woke his wife, who sucked in a sharp surprised breath and rolled to the side to flip on the light.