Cruel Vows

He growls, instantly letting go of me. “You son of a bitch.”

I rush toward Massimo, escaping from Adrik’s hold.

His strong, muscular arms wrap around me so tightly it feels like he’s trying to crush me.

“You’ll pay for this, Morrone. Mark my words.”

Massimo lifts his gun and aims at Adrik, shooting again but missing him by an inch. “I won’t give you the chance.”

Adrik dodges another bullet as Massimo unleashes a barrage of shots at him, but he’s quick and gets to the SUV too fast. “I’m going to destroy you all,” I hear him call as he jumps into the back of the SUV and the vehicle wheel spins out of the alleyway and onto the road.

“Coward,” Massimo mutters, shaking his head.

My body turns limp against Massimo and I hate the way pain constricts around my chest, making it impossible not to cry. In fact, the waterworks switch on as I sob into his chest.

He runs his fingers through my hair. “It’s alright,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “You’re safe now, princess.” I may be safe, but I hate how scared I was. Scared that I would never see Massimo again. Scared that he was going to be torn away from me.

The fire door opens again and Spartak rushes out, eyes wild and frantic. They calm when he sees Imalia unharmed and safe. She runs into his arms and he holds her tightly.

“I’ve never been so scared,” I murmur, glancing up at my husband through my tears.

He kisses me so softly. “I’m sorry I brought you here.”

I shake my head, as I don’t think he understands why I was scared. “You could have died, and that terrified me.”

“And to think a month ago you would have celebrated over my dead body.”

I narrow my eyes and glare at him. “That’s not funny.”

He smirks, shaking his head. “It’s the truth, baby.”

My attention catches on the blood staining his arm. “Are you hurt?”

He shakes his head. “It’s barely a graze.”

I swallow hard, wishing I could tell him the truth that I think deep down I’ve known for a while. The truth is that I love this man, despite everything.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” His firm grip tightens as he steers me down the alleyway toward the street. “This entire fucking thing was a disaster.”

I look up at him, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. Adrik’s warning ringing in my ears.

I’m going to destroy you all

“Who was the man he killed?”

“The leader of the Estrada Cartel.” Massimo’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “He’s claiming he’s the leader now because he married Eliza, the daughter of the man he killed.”

My stomach churns. “That’s sick.” I shake my head. “What kind of man would kill his own wife’s father?”

“A ruthless one.” Massimo nods at the SUV we arrived in, where his driver already has the engine running. “Get in, princess.” He turns to Luca, who bursts through the front door. “Massimo, where has he gone?”

“Escaped,” he replies, walking toward him to explain what happened.

I open the door to the SUV and slid into the back, watching Massimo through the window. After a minute, he claps Luca on the shoulder and slides in next to me. The thought of being away from him any longer makes my skin crawl. I move closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder, needing the physical contact. “I really thought you were going to die,” I murmur, as the car rolls forward.

“Cut the crap, princess. I wasn’t joking when I said that a month ago, you would have been glad.”

I find his dark, chocolate brown eyes and nod. “It’s true, but that was then.”

“And now?” I ask.

“Now, I think I’ve lost my mind.” I turn my gaze away, looking out of the window as fear takes a hold of my heart.

Massimo grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his intense gaze. “Why do you say that?”

I sigh heavily, knowing I need to tell him. “I think I love you.”