Deadly Vows

Chapter Three

The jet landed with a soft thud, but there was nothing soft and interesting about the welcome waiting outside.

A black limo was parked at the edge of the runway and guarded by two silent men in black suits.

Luca stepped out first, smoothing his suit like he hasn’t dragged me here. Like I hadn’t just left behind the life I had struggled to build. I followed, mostly because my dignity was all I had left and dignity didn’t scream or throw tantrums. Not yet.

The wind caught my hair as I stepped outside. Luca opened the door for me, like a gentleman. Like a mockery. I stepped in without saying a word.

The silence in the car was thick and choking. It was only broken by the occasional vibration of his phone and the clinking of ice in his glass. He poured himself a drink. Of course, he did.

“You haven’t said anything. That’s strange. You’ve been talking unnecessarily since you got here,” he said finally, downing the last of the content of his glass. “Plotting a new escape plan?”

“If I were, it wouldn’t be this obvious,” I said, not taking my eyes off the window I was staring out of. “You like to think that you’re in control, don’t you?”

He smirked. “I am in control, princess.”

“Delusional ass.”

He chuckled darkly.

The ride to his estate was long enough to keep the tension rising. The car pulled up to a grand iron gate that opened like it was welcoming royalty, or prisoners.

And then I saw it. The Moretti estate.

It was more a fortress than a house. It was twice as large as my father’s. Black marble pillars, high security fences and an actual fountain.

He stepped out and walked around to my side, opening the door. Again, I refused to be impressed. I stepped out.

Two guards stood at the entrance like statues and standing just behind them, with arms folded and an unreadable expression was a woman.

Petite, toned, short black hair, combat boots and a resting face that looked like she had taken down men twice her size.”

“Eva,” Luca said, “meet your personal security. You’ll be seeing a lot of her.”

I shot him a look. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

He ignored that. “This is Ariana Dante. She was head of tactical ops in Sults for years. I don’t assign her to just anyone.”

Ariana gave me a nod. Silent, but alert. Watching everything calculatedly.

I turned to Luca. “All this you’re doing, is supposed to impress me and make me say yes to your stupid agreement?”

“First of all, I don’t need you to say yes to something that’s been done and no,” he said. “It’s supposed to keep you alive.”

I looked at Ariana and walked past her like she didn’t exist. She didn’t speak, she just followed a few feet behind.

Inside the estate was exactly how I had imagined it to be. Magnificent, cold and completely empty. Shiny floors, tall windows, enormous yet beautiful modern artwork that probably cost more than some countries’ economies.

Luca led me down the hallway. The click of my heels echoed too loudly in the silence. He stopped in front of a door. “Your room,” he said, pushing them open.

I stepped inside. It was beautiful, of course. Soft lilac sheets and a balcony that overlooked the garden. Fit for a queen.

“And where will you be?” I asked, arms crossed.

He raised an eyebrow, “in my room, next door.”

I laughed. “At least we don’t get to sleep in the same room.”

He leaned against the doorframe. “Why? Afraid you’ll fall for me in your sleep?”

“Afraid I’ll kill you in yours.”

We stared each other down, then he turned and walked off.

Ariana was already stationed near my door when I stepped out later. “I don’t need a shadow,” I muttered.

She didn’t reply.

I went down to the kitchen, hoping to find something, anything normal. But even the fridge screamed billionaire. Imported fruits, wine older than I was, nothing with a label I recognized.

Luca entered the kitchen a few moments later, he probably figured I was looking for something to eat.

“The chef will be here soon to prepare dinner. Anything specific you’d like to have?”

“I’m not hungry.” I said with a hiss.

“Suit yourself.” He said without hesitation.

I thought he’d at least persuade me. Not like I’d have said yes, but…

I returned to my room and it suddenly hit me that I hadn’t traveled with any of my stuff. I could sleep in my underwear tonight, but how about tomorrow morning? Something to wear before I could go out to get some new ones. I wasn’t going to ask that man for anything.

Well, I’d let tomorrow handle itself, for now, I just needed to sleep and not think of that infuriating man. It would be hard, as I was already in his world.