Page 4 of Jealous Vows

“Let’s kill thiscabrón,” José spits.

He and his biker brothers pull switchblades and brass knuckles from the inside of their leather jackets as they shuffle closer.

My savior lifts his cigarette to his lips as though he doesn’t have a care in the world.Goosebumps rise on my flesh as he traces little designs on my upper arm.

He drops the cigarette butt and crushes it under his heel with a long-suffering sigh before reaching into his pocket.Despite the intensity of the moment, he moves with the slow, methodical grace of a man used to high conflict.

A distinct click sounds from his pocket.Ice solidifies in my veins as dread threatens to swallow me whole.

All the signs I ignored pile on top of my head.His expensive suit, calm mannerisms, callused hands, and the cold violence shining in his eyes all pointed to what I knew on an instinctual level.

He must be mafia.

“Maybe not today, eh?”he drawls.

His deep, accented voice burrows into my marrow, curls into my depths, and confirms my suspicions.He’s not from around here—I’d know if he were—but there’s no room for doubt.

He’s a powerful mafia figure.

Yearning fills me.I want to hear him groan my name.

I’m so fucking screwed.

Chapter 2

Romeo Yovanni

Even though I know there was nothingmagical in sharing a cigarette with the pretty little doll, my lips tingle from the secondary kiss.I tell myself the sensation is just a byproduct of the adrenaline and dark excitement roaring through me, but an unfamiliar emotion plagues me.

Sienna is prettier in person than in the photos my mole sent me.She’s thinner than my usual preference in women, but her flushed cheeks and intense caramel eyes call to me on a visceral level.

I can’t wait to devour her.

Goosebumps rise on her flesh as I tease her arm with my fingertips.I smirk and hold eye contact with the leader of the gang as I slip my handgun out of my pocket while keeping it by my hip—and out of the little doll’s view—before shifting my muzzle to his chest.

He hesitates and looks beyond my fancy suit to the man underneath for the first time.

“Maybe tomorrow instead?”I mock.

My prey swallows and leans against my side.Her boney shoulder digs into my ribs solely because I still lean back against the wall.If I were at my full height, her shoulder would hit my midsection.Despite her affectionate display, her rigid, trembling body tells me she’s nowhere near as calm as she appears.

José, the leader of the biker gang, scowls but takes the smallest step backwards.Indecision plagues him.

I saw him loitering outside the airport entrance waving her ID card around as he talked shit with his pals.I don’t know why or how he has it, but I knew stalking him would be my quickest route to her, so I hid in plain sight and waited.

“I feel you,ese.”He shifts furious eyes toward my prey.“See you tomorrow,puta.”

His dirty smirk claws at my insides.Violence builds within me.

“No, you won’t.”The strength behind my little doll’s voice surprises me.“Give me back my ID,” she demands.

He squints and tightens his grip on his knife until his knuckles turn white.

The man closest to my prey shifts.He must be the newest member.Jittery energy wafts from him.His brass knuckles glint in the sunlight.I keep my senses on full alert despite my laid-back air.

My balls throb with visceral need as my prey straightens, holds out her palm, and cocks her head in challenge.

“And my money,” she adds.