Vows Of Deception

Chapter Three

My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears as Michael sped through the city streets. The car behind us matched every turn, every lane change. Whoever was driving knew exactly what they were doing.

"What's happening?" I asked, gripping the door handle. "Who are those people?"

"Someone wants to hurt you," Michael said, his voice calm but deadly. "That's why I sent the divorce papers. To keep you safe."

"Safe from who?"

"My father."

I stared at him in shock. His father, Richard Cross, was one of the most powerful men in the country. Billionaire. Ruthless businessman. I had only met him twice, and both times he had looked at me like I was nothing.

"Why would your father want to hurt me?"

"Because you're my weakness," Michael said. "He knows I love you. And he'll use that against me."

My breath caught. "You love me?"

He glanced at me, his gray eyes burning. "I've always loved you, Sophia. Every single day. Even when I had to push you away."

"Then why—"

"Because six months ago, my father found out about us. The real us. He saw how I looked at you. And he threatened to destroy you."

The car behind us got closer.

"Hold on," Michael said, and turned sharply into an alley. The tires screamed. My body slammed against the door. But we lost them.

He pulled into a dark parking garage and killed the engine. For a moment, we just sat there, breathing hard.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Because if I told you, you wouldn't have left. And if you didn't leave, he would have killed you."

I felt sick. "And Vanessa?"

"She's my father's spy. He sent her to make sure I was really done with you. Every time you saw us together, I was playing a part."

Tears filled my eyes. "You should have trusted me."

"I know." He reached for my hand. "I'm sorry, Sophia. I'm so sorry."

"What do we do now?"

"Now we fight back. But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

I looked into his eyes. The same eyes I had fallen in love with. The same eyes that haunted my dreams.

"I don't know if I can," I whispered.

"Then let me prove it to you."

His lips were inches from mine. I could feel his breath. My heart was racing. Part of me wanted to pull away. But a bigger part wanted to close the distance.

Before I could decide, his phone rang.

He cursed and answered it. "What?"

I watched his face change. The color drained from his skin.

"When?" he asked. Then, "I'll be there."

He hung up and looked at me with fear in his eyes. "We need to go. Right now."

"What's wrong?"

"Lisa's been taken. My father has her."