Page 12 of Vow of Desire

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Is that a lie? With you, I cannot tell. You’re just so… well, proper.”

“No,” I whisper. “You don’t repulse me.” It’s the truth. Matteo is distractingly handsome.

“So why do you seem so bothered by the thought of us spending our wedding night together?”

“Because you’re a bad man. You tried to kill Leo Detti. You kidnapped his wife. How am I supposed to just act like that didn’t happen?”

“You don’t because it did happen. But it’s in the past. I don’t regret it. I am a man who keeps to my word and I punish anyone who doesn’t keep to their word. As long as you keep your word to me, Luciana, we’ll have no problems.”

“I don’t trust you,” I admit. “And a marriage should be built on trust.”

“Our marriage is built on the need for peace and that’s all that matters. So don’t try and run. I’ll only catch you. You are to be mine, Luciana. Mine.”

I suck in a breath. His claim to me makes me feel lightheaded. Scared and… secretly excited. None of it makes any sense.

“And you are to be mine,” I breathe out.

“Yes. Once we’re married. I expect you to see you at the church tomorrow. If you don’t, well….”

“You’ll kill my father, won’t you?”

He leans in close to my ear, making me gasp. “I won’t lose another woman promised to me. Remember that.” He pulls away and leaves the bathroom.

I slump against the counter, catching my breath. If I thought Matteo was a bad man before, I know he’s pure evil. He casuallythreatened to kill my father’s life without even blinking. What kind of cold hearted man do I have to marry?

I stare at myself in the mirror. My perfect makeup and softly curled hair. I look like a doll. A doll with no say in my own life.

The urge to run hits me. To run and never look back.

But then Matteo would kill my father and that would kill me. I have to do what I must to save his life. I have to help create peace.

Don’t crack, I remind myself. Matteo sure won’t be the one to break so I can’t break either.

I am getting married tomorrow and I must accept that. This is my future.

I leave the bathroom and run into my father.

“Luciana. I was coming to check on you. You left in a such a hurry and didn’t return. Did Matteo try something with you?”

With a gasp, I throw my arms around my dad and hold him close. After a beat, he wraps me in his arms, squeezing me so hard that it hurts.

But I don’t complain. This might be the last time I get the chance to feel like a little girl and for once, I want to hold onto it for dear life.

Chapter Four

Luciana

My wedding day.

My dress fits perfectly. Off the shouldered. All white. Hugs my body and flares out around my legs. It’s like something out of an old Hollywood movie.

My hair is perfectly curled on top of my head. My makeup is perfectly set.

I look perfect.

So why do I feel like I’m screaming inside?