Page 7 of Ruthless Vows

Remi has always been thin; she can wear anything from anywhere. My curves make wearing tight clothing harder, but she was adamant I wear this, and I have to say, I think I look pretty damn good. Even if it feels extremely foreign to be out and about like this. The thrill of disobeying my father rivals the apprehension I have about entering the building—each cause the incessant thrumming of my hummingbird heartbeat.

“I need to send a text to my father really quick,” I tell Remi, sliding my burner phone out of my purse as she lets go of the hand she was leading me by.

I’ve played this game way too long to not be damn good at it. Whenever I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be, my phone stays where my father thinks I am and is forwarded to my burner. He thinks I don’t know he’s placed tracking software in my phone, but I do. After the last time he caught me…and after the punishment that followed…I’ve taken it one step further.

Checkmate, Daddy.

“He’s probably sorting through another disgustingly expensive shipment of diamonds. I bet he isn’t even thinking about you right now. Don’t put yourself on his radar, G,” Remi says, flashing a pleading smile.

But she’s wrong.

She doesn’t know even the half of it. My father isn’t sorting through jewelry—one of his many cover-up businesses. He’s probably having his sidekicks “sort” as he plans his next revenge scheme against someone who has wronged him…or perhaps even innocent people who haven’t.

Remi has no idea that everything she thinks she knows is just an elaborate story my family has written and played out. A perfectly orchestrated façade to shield what really goes on behind our closed doors.

And my father most certainly has me on his radar. Anytime I’m outside the headquarters, aka our home, he’s waiting on pins and needles for my return.

I still haven’t figured out how to tell her I’m getting married in two weeks, and that’s pretty much the only reason I’ve agreed to come out with her tonight. I withheld her invitation so it wouldn’t catch her off guard before I could tell her. I can’t even imagine the shock that’ll be written all over her face when I’m like,Surprise! I’m getting married in two weeks, bestie!I just want to pretend like this isn’t happening for a little longer.

Plus, I’m a bit concerned Remi will bite my head off when I tell her everything I’ve been holding in for so long. But how exactly do you share that your father is a mob boss? Especially when you just want to be normal.

Me:I made it to Remi’s house and Johnny brought us out to grab some snacks and drinks for tonight. We’ll be watching sad girl movies for the next few hours to help her with her heartbreak.

Remi may not know all the inner workings of my life, but she does know my father is overprotective—and that’s a gross understatement. If my father knew I wasn’t safely tucked away at Remi’s house right now, I don’t even want to know what would happen. I’ve been on the receiving end of my father’s wrath before—and for much less.

And I know where Johnny would end up, even though he played no part in this deception.

Dead.

I shake my head as a text from my father immediately flashes across my screen. I have no doubt he’s been waiting, phone in hand, for my text.

Dad:Let me know when you’re ready for Johnny to come back and pick you up in the morning. Remember, no leaving without my knowledge, little bird. I have eyes everywhere.

His nickname for me churns my stomach.Little bird, little bird, I’m so sorry I’ve caged you. It has to be this way.

I’m sure he does have eyes all over this city, but we’ve taken every single precaution we can think of to not be caught by my father. We always do when we go on our adventures.

Being an adult hasn’t stopped my father from being overprotective. Apparently, he didn’t think through the fact that his enemies would become my own one day. Or maybe the notoriety he’s received over the years, paired with the billions in his bank accounts, has helped ease the knowledge.

My father has always had lofty goals and even bigger dreams. And he’s acquired ruthless enemies along the way.

I suppose that’s what one gets when they’re the boss of one of the biggest mafia families in Chicago.

And I’m just theluckyone who was given the title of his daughter—the mafia princess of the Amato Family.

“One last thing, babe,” Remi says with a grin, shifting her focus from me and reaching into her oversized purse. She pulls two masks out, one that’s a deep purple to match her lingerie, and one that’s black and white to match mine. “Have to put on our masks for the party.”

She winks, and I put the lace material over my head. It’s not bad—doesn’t leave me feeling too claustrophobic, resting only over my eyes and leaving the rest of my face to breathe.

“Ready?” Remi tugs me, and I acquiesce, taking in a deep breath and locking my phone as the two of us make our way up the stairs to the door.

I’ve steppedinto an otherworldly dimension.

Honestly, I didn’t think I could be impressed any more. My family knows how to throw parties. I’ve been to some of the most beautiful places in the world on vacations—Seychelles, a private island frequented by celebrities, Laucala Island in Fiji, and my favorite, the Hotel Georges V in Paris, France, where we had a completely unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.

Our last family party had multiple private jets flying in and out, carrying some of the most notorious celebrities of my time. My father quite literally flew them to and from our home… My life has been nothing short of extravagant.

But here, in this sex club I never imagined myself setting foot in, I am stunned.