His Dark Vow

Chapter Six

Adaora woke to silence.

For a moment, she forgot where she was. The silk sheets, the velvet drapes, the faint scent of leather and cologne clinging to the room… it all felt like a dream. But the weight of the ring on her finger snapped reality back into place.

She turned. The other side of the bed was empty and cold.

Relief fluttered in her chest, quickly chased by unease. Where was he?

She slipped from the bed and padded across the marble floor, her gown whispering against her skin. The villa was still, but not silent — faint footsteps echoed down the corridor. Curiosity tugged harder than fear.

She followed the sound.

The hallway stretched into darkness, lit only by thin streaks of moonlight cutting through tall windows. Her heart drummed as she descended the staircase, each step creaking under her weight.

Then she heard it — voices. Male, low, urgent.

Adaora edged closer, pressing herself against the wall until the words became clear.

“…the shipment was compromised,” one man said, his tone sharp. “Two crates missing. That’s not an accident.”

Leonardo’s voice cut through the air, deep and controlled. “Find out who touched them. And when you do…” A pause. “…bury them.”

Adaora’s breath caught.

Another voice spoke, hesitant. “Sir, there’s also the matter of the girl. The men don’t trust her. They say she’s a liability.”

Her stomach twisted. They were talking about her.

Leonardo’s response was ice. “She’s my wife. Anyone who questions that answers to me.”

Silence. Then the shuffle of feet, men retreating. Adaora risked a glance around the corner.

Leonardo stood by the fireplace, back to her, the flames painting his broad shoulders in gold and shadow. His hand tightened around a glass of whiskey, jaw clenched in thought.

She should turn back. She should run to bed and pretend she hadn’t heard. But her voice betrayed her.

“Is that what I am to you?”

Leonardo turned, sharp and swift, his gray eyes catching hers like steel traps. For a moment, the room froze. Then he set the glass down and crossed to her in three strides.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said softly.

“You called me insurance. Now a liability.” Adaora lifted her chin, defiance trembling in her voice. “Which one is it, Leonardo?”

His gaze lingered on her, unreadable. Then he reached out, caging her against the wall with one hand beside her head.

“You’re both,” he admitted. His breath was warm, his words colder. “Insurance to me. Liability to everyone else. That’s why you stay close. That’s why you don’t run.”

Her heart hammered. “And if I do?”

His lips curved, inches from hers. “Then, Adaora…” His voice dropped to a whisper. “…I’ll show you exactly why everyone fears my name.”

Her body shivered, but it wasn’t just fear anymore. It was something she hated herself for feeling — heat, alive and dangerous.

Leonardo pulled back, his eyes never leaving hers. “Go back upstairs. Tomorrow, you’ll start learning how to survive in my world.”

She swallowed hard. “And if I refuse?”

He smiled then — dark, ruthless, terrifyingly beautiful. “Then my world will eat you alive.”