Page 51 of Vow of Desire

Luciana has completely frozen.

“Luciana?” I touch her shoulder and she jerks away from me. “What is going on?”

“You said Dante Zaneli killed her?”

“Maybe not him, exactly. He might have had one of his men do it. But you’re safe here. I know you had a run in with him but I promise you, Luciana, you’re safe.”

“I don’t think I’m safe,” she whispers, finally looking into my eyes.

My chest squeezes. “Why would you say that?”

“Because…” She bites her lip and turns away from me. “It’s nothing. It’s all fine. Everything will be fine.”

“You don’t sound fine. You’re lying to me again. Pushing me out. But open up to me, Luciana. Do you know something that you’re not telling me?”

“It’s fine. Everything will be fine. My life is perfect. There’s no other option.” She picks up the baster and tries ignoring me but I know she can see me.

“Luciana, what is going on? If you don’t tell me, I’m going to have to make you. I will not let you push me away again.”

“I can’t,” she whispers. “I can’t.” Before I can react, she takes off running out of the room.

And like a predator, I give chase.

Chapter Thirteen

Luciana

Ifeel Matteo chasing me. His loud, impactful footsteps on the ground. His breath. His presence as he gets closer and closer.

It would all be easier if I just told him about Dante. But I can’t get the words out. To admit that I gave Dante Alexandra’s name and now she’s dead is a shame I can’t comprehend. It’s a fall from grace.

So I run instead. I make it to our bedroom but before I can shut the door, Matteo enters. He shoves the door open wider and stalks right towards me. I back away from him until my spine hits the wall.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asks in a dark tone. It makes my stomach squeeze in excitement. I recognize the look in his eyes. The thrill and lust.

“Right now… maybe.”

“Maybe?” He places his hands on the wall beside my head, locking me in. “What are you hiding, Luciana? Tell me.”

“I can’t.”

“Then we have to do this the hard way.” He grabs my waist, picking me up, before he throws me onto the bed. I gasp. A sudden flare of arousal hits me. Why would I get excited in a moment like this? More shame fills me but I still can’t deny the wetness that starts to seep out of me.

Matteo stands at the end of the bed, breathing heavy, and gazing down at me with his dark eyes. I can’t move. I don’t want to run away. I want him to touch me. To absolve me of my shame.

He rolls me onto my stomach right before he spanks me. I cry out from the pain.

But there’s also a tinge of pleasure there.

“Tell me,” he demands. “Stop keeping things from me. What has you so upset?”

“I can’t,” I continue to say.

He shoves my dress up and rips my panties down. My inner walls clamp down on nothing from the lust that hits my body. He spanks my bare backside. Without even meaning to, I lift my hips closer to his hand. A cry that sounds closer to a moan escapes my lips.

“Do you like this?” he asks. “Maybe I shouldn’t be spanking you if you like it so much.” He taps my skin again, much more gentle this time. “Tell me, Luciana. Tell me.”

I clamp my lips shut.