Page 37 of Vow of Sin
I need to protect my heart. The only thing I can give this man is my body. To enjoy things while I can.
My focus must remain on Frankie.
I take my phone from the night stand and pull up the church’s social media page. I scroll for a few moments until a picture of the choir comes up. Standing in the front row, exactly like he was this morning. I zoom in on his face.
The smile so familiar, yet so unique shines back at me.
He’s who I must focus on. I need to protect him without hurting myself.
I hold the phone to my chest, thinking about all the ways I can help. Finally, I set the phone on the dresser and curl into Nico’s side, enjoying his warmth as it seeps into me.
For the first time in weeks, I fall asleep feeling content. My heart is safe as long as I don’t give it to Nico.
ChapterEighteen
Scarlett
The house is buzzing when I get up the next morning. I woke up yesterday to empty sheets. They were cool to the touch. After that, I didn’t see Nico for the rest of the day. He didn’t come to dinner, nor did he come back to my bed later that night.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, why Nico disappeared becomes quickly evident.
Camila meets me in the hall with a steaming cup of coffee.
“I was about to come get you. Carlos and Andreas have arrived for your meeting.”
“Meeting? What meeting?” I didn’t arrange a meeting with the heads of the family. There’s no doubt in my mind who did set up the meeting..
“I don’t know, but they’re waiting for you in the office.”
“Let me guess, Nico is already there.” She nods. “Thank you.” I bend down and press a kiss to her cheek. Then, I look down at my dress, a little more casual than I would have worn had I know they were coming. Not that I have time to change. I straighten my back and walk to the office. I will deal with Nico going behind my back later.
I push open the doors and find the three men seated around the table on the side of the room. Carlos stands immediately and walks over to me.
“We were worried when Nico called and said you’d been ambushed and run off the road.”
My gaze darts around Carlos’ shoulder to Nico, who sits back in his chair, one leg propped up on his knee as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. If I could murder him with only my eyes, I would. He doesn’t seem to be the least bit phased by me glaring at him.
“Thank you. We took care of the evidence and left the car.”
Andreas pulls out the other chair. “While we appreciate that. We’re glad that we’re not having to hold another family funeral.”
He didn’t need to say it, but I know that he’s more worried about the weakness that would show than being concerned about our actual deaths. They need to protect their business at all costs. Both heads of the family turning up dead does not make good business.
I take my seat. “Now that you’ve seen we’re both okay. I’m surprised to see you both. What would you like to discuss?”
Carlos inclines his head. He always appreciated getting down to business. “We flew in this morning. With new leadership in New York, we were concerned about the DeLuca family trying to take over. We weren’t sure if they would do anything, obviously we were wrong. After Nico informed us of his concerns about the DeLuca family, we feel it’s important to increase security while we figure out exactly what they want.”
I glance over at Nico, wondering exactly how much he’s told them. Last night I laid their worrying about falling for him and know I want to kick him in the balls. How could he not tell me it was the DeLuca’s who ran us off the road?
Nico shakes his head slightly and I take my cue and keep my mouth shut about Frankie. Ruining everything for him right now won’t help either of us, I remind myself over and over again.
“We want additional guards on both of you when you leave the house,” Andreas interrupts my thoughts. “Neither of you are to leave the house alone, for any reason.”
How can I protect Frankie, if I can’t get near him without additional guards reporting back to everyone. I can’t even tell them I’m going to see Luis’ son. Under normal circumstances I would agree with their plan. Hell, weeks ago I argued with Luis about taking extra guards with him. He might still be alive if he had listened. Yet, here I sit balking at the same request. This is not a request I can say no to. The decision is being taken out of my hands and I won’t go up against the heads of the family.
I dip my head. “We can do that.”
The conversation continues around me about additional security measures being added to the house and to every car to make them able to withstand more hits.