Cruel Vows

“Why me?”

A soft smile curves his lips upward. “Only God knows why, baby, but it may have something to do with you being the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

I shake my head. “No, that can’t be right.”

He growls softly. “Why do you always put yourself down?”

I consider his question as I don’t think I do. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You don’t believe yourself beautiful, even though every man in that fucking bar you worked at eyed you like a piece of meat.” He clutches my hand harder now, rage burning in his eyes. “Even Axel was fawning over you at the party, and that idiot whose name I don’t remember.”

“Elijah?”

“That’s it.” He shakes his head. “You had men lining down the block for you, and you couldn’t even see it, could you?”

I open my mouth and then shut it again, wondering if he is right.

He seems to give up on me answering as he cups my cheeks in his hands. “You are a goddess, Paisley. Now act like one.” His lips find mine in a harsh and punishing kiss as he steals the air from my lungs.

The car crawls to a stop as we break apart, and Massimo’s eyes glaze over as he stares up at the hospital his father has been admitted to.

“I can’t do this without you.” He grabs my hand. “Will you stay by my side?”

I look into those dark eyes, knowing his actions have been so rotten. My only answer should be no, but I can’t deny him. Not when he looks at me like that.

“Of course,” I say, knowing that I’m treading very dangerous water with this man. It’s one thing to care for a man who forced marriage on you, it’s another to fall for him.

And I fear I’m slowly being pulled down into his carefully laid trap.