Promise to Keep (Vow To Protect 2)

I know I’ve got her when she licks her lips and comes around the table toward me. One of the other men warns her about getting too close, and he’s right. If I get her in the distance of my hands, she’s a dead woman. But she stays far enough that I can’t reach with my restraints holding me back.

“And what is your offer?” she asks, dipping her eyes down to my crotch and back up.

Valentina lets out something muffled like a curse, but now it’s her turn to be ignored while I save her life. Unlike her, I know what I’m doing, and I won’t fail.

I clear my throat and call on the indifferent mask I usually wear at society functions. “There are very few in society who know the inner workings like you or I. If I wanted to, I could hunt down every council member here, along with your families, your friends, your cats, your dogs, your household staff, and let’s not forget your neighbors.”

The councilwoman snorts. “This is your idea of a negotiation? Threatening us when you’re tied to the floor on your knees.”

I sort of shrug, but it’s difficult with my hands bound to the floor. “You know what I’m capable of. You all do, as evidenced by the fact that I was able to take out a head society member's son, and then a family head himself…and you still haven’t found him, have you? Don’t worry, you won’t. Not without my help.”

She waves me on impatiently as she leans her thin hips against the table. “And…you’re offering what? You just admitted your crimes. I can kill you now and defend myself against anyone in society who would like to argue about our rules.”

“If you want…but you’d have to let everyone else go, and I guarantee my five won’t let my death go unpunished.”

She flicks her gaze to Kai, who is still groaning on the concrete. At the point, he’s either seriously injured or playing up his injuries for a reason I haven’t been able to figure out yet.

“So I kill you, and I get your bodyguards after me. I don’t kill you and kill your wife and heir instead…then what?”

“It’ll be both me and my five who come after you. Not the rest of the council. Just you. And I promise we’ll make you pay for every minute they’ve been in this room. For every minute she suffers.”

With another huff, then a chuckle, she stands and anchors her arms under her breasts as if she wants to emphasize them. “What’s in this for me? Your five come after me if I kill you, and then you come after me if I don’t. Where does the negotiation come in?”

“Let Valentina live. Let her take over the Doubeck and the Novak holdings, and before you kill me, I’ll ensure the five don’t come anywhere near the council for it,” I say.

It’s a bold move to threaten them and then try to mitigate my own threat. It’s only by the reputation of my men that she’s considering it. Many in society fear them, as much as they want to steal them away for themselves.

I can see the gears turning in her little mind. It’s worth it to her…she’s going to ask for proof that I can keep them tethered even after my death. I don’t bother sharing. I won't need to. The second I die, their duties will fall to protecting Valentina and my heir. Not a single one would fail to heed that dictate or else Kai would ensure they learned their lesson the hard way.

As if he knows I’m thinking about him, Kai rolls over, his face swollen and bloody, and struggles to his knees. The guards immediately move in and secure his hands to another loop in the floor.

Excellent job decorating these assholes have done.

I turn my attention back to the councilwoman, who doesn’t seem the least bit concerned by Kai’s rousing. It’s time to press her into a decision, and hopefully one that doesn’t have me playing horse to her rider. The very thought makes me want to gag. Death might be preferable.

“What do you say, Councilwoman? Do we have a deal? I’ll want it in writing as well, as long as I’m being clear about things.”

Her eyes narrow, and she stares back and forth between us. One by one, she looks, and she sneers, “I’m tired of these games. You’re only stalling for time and making things worse for yourselves. From where I stand, I’ll just kill you all and be done with the entire Doubeck and Novak lines. It will save me a lot of trouble and a lot of money once I bid on your holdings after your deaths.”

I file that little nugget away to the back of my mind and scramble for something else to offer her. Something that will give me enough leverage to save Valentina and our child. Kai and Andrea brought themselves into this room, knowing my main priority would be my wife. Their fate is on them now. Luckily, I won’t be alive to mourn my failures.