Cruel Vows

PAISLEY

Ilaugh as Mia dances around the island in the kitchen to some Italian song I’ve never heard before. She insists its world famous, but I have to disagree.

Ever since I married Massimo, I’ve been allowed out of my cage. Although I’m never alone without a bodyguard or with Mia, at the very least. I’m still, as Massimo calls it, a flight risk.

“You are crazy,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I’ve never heard this song in my life.”

Mia sticks her tongue out at me and sits down on the stool she’d been sitting on. “Then you’ve been living under a rock.”

I shake my head. “I just think you’ve overestimated how popular it is worldwide.”

She grabs an apple and takes a bite. “I’m bored.”

“Thanks a lot.” I raise a brow. “Are you saying my company is boring?”

“Of course not, I just want to go out shopping.” Her eyes narrow. “Why is it you are under house arrest?”

I shrug. “You’d have to ask your brother that.”

As if on cue, Massimo appears in the doorway, looking as if he’s bearing the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. I’ve never seen him look so down. “What are you two up to?”

Mia beams at her brother, clearly oblivious to his dejected mood. “Having fun, something you wouldn’t know anything about, Massimo.”

His jaw clenches but to my surprise he doesn’t make a retort. Instead, he looks straight at me and I see the hurt in his eyes. Something is wrong. I sensed it the moment I set eyes on him, but looking into his eyes makes me certain of it.

She scowls at him. “I have a question for you.”

He sighs heavily. “What is it?”

“Why can’t Paisley and I go to the mall together?”

His eyes move between her and me twice before he rubs a hand across the back of his neck. “I guess if Sandro goes with you, then you can go out together.”

I’m surprised by his sudden change of mind, but perhaps a month without any serious incidents, he’s ready to trust me a little. There’s no doubt that I’m torn. If given the chance to run away, I’m not entirely sure I would any more. My life here with Massimo and Mia and the rest of his family is far more interesting than the life I was leading before, even if I never chose it.

Massimo walks into the room and heads for the refrigerator, grabbing a soda out. “You two keep having fun.” He walks away without another glance at me, which is out of character.

Mia arches a brow as she watches him leave. “What’s got his panties in a twist?”

I shrug. “Don’t ask me.”

She chuckles. “Well, you’re his wife and he rarely ever lets you stay with me when he returns.” Her eyes narrow. “Did you two have a fight?”

I shake my head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“He must just be in a bad mood. Maybe the war isn’t going our way.” She pulls her cell phone out. “I can’t wait for you to meet Camilla. She’s on her way home now.”

I smile at the thought of meeting another one of Massimo’s sisters. If she’s anything like Mia, then we’ll get on just fine. “How long is she on vacation?”

“Only two weeks for spring break. It will fly by.” She beams at me suddenly. “Now you’re no longer under house arrest. We can all go shopping and to the movies.”

“Beats lounging around here.”

Mia types frantically on her cell phone, no doubt contacting Camilla. It’s a little strange that outside of her family, she doesn’t really seem to have friends. She says all the friends she made at school were from all over the country or belong to rival crime families. Her father doesn’t like her hanging out with normal people, as they could be spies or cops. So she’s stuck to the inner circle of her famiglia.

“What time should she be here?”

“It’s a long drive from Maine. I think they’ll stop in a hotel halfway and be here tomorrow.”

She waves her hand and puts away her phone. “Anyway, enough about my sister. Do you want to order takeout for dinner?”

“Chinese?”

She smiles. “Sounds good.”

“I’ll check if Massimo wants anything.” I stand and Mia gives me a strange look. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just when did you start thinking about what my brother wants?” She tilts her head. “Last I heard, you hated him for forcing you to marry him.”

“I do, but it has its perks, too.” I smile at her. “You being one of them.”