Page 7 of Jealous Vows

“You don’t look fine,” I reply.

“That’s a really nice thing to say.Thanks.”

Her deadpan delivery is so unexpected I stare at her for a moment before forcing a bit of concern into my tone.

“I only meant you look like you’re in distress.Is this your first time flying?”

She gives the tiniest shake of her head.

“No, but it’s been a while.”

“You better not throw up.I’m not sitting next to your stink for six hours if you do,” the asshole on her other side grumbles.

Other than her knuckles whitening in her lap, she doesn’t react.I meet the man’s eyes over her head and wait until he shrinks back before lowering my gaze to her face.

“I heard gum helps.Do you want a piece?”I offer.

I reach into my breast pocket.She grunts as my elbow jabs her arm, the space smaller than I estimated.

“No, I have candy.I’m fine,” she says.

“Where is it?It’s best to start before takeoff,” I say.

She slits her eyes and studies me through her lashes.

“I can manage myself just fine, thank you,” she says in a clipped voice.

“You look like you’ll shatter if you so much as move a muscle.People with anxiety usually medicate before they get on a plane,” I chide.

“I don’t have anxiety.I’m—”

“Fine, yeah, you’re repeating yourself,bambolina.”

She stiffens impossibly further at my use of an Italian nickname.By her incredulity, she understands the meaning—little doll—and how it’s usually used as either an endearment for a lover or a cherished little girl, and doesn’t appreciate the sentiment.

“I don’t know you, sir.Please leave me alone,” she says loud enough for everyone around us to hear.

The blockhead in our row does a poor job hiding his smirk, and the lady in front of me shoots a glare over her shoulder.

I allow her the win and settle back in my chair.One small victory won’t go far.She’s trapped beside me for the next six hours.

Vengeance takes time, but with her as my prey, I’ll savor every moment of the conquest.

Sienna Luciano will be my perfect little doll.My plaything.My revenge.

I can’t wait to break, tame, and ruin her.She’s mine.

And there’s nothing her uncle can do about it.

Chapter 3

Sienna Luciano

My stomach growls so loudI fear everyone can hear it over the roaring of the engines, but I refuse to open my eyes to check.I don’t need to see their looks of concern, condemnation, or pity.I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning and that was only a bag of chips and a protein shake from the convenience store on my way to work.José spit in my only sustenance for today, and after walking miles to the airport in the rising morning heat, running into the dark and dangerous behemoth sitting beside me, nearly dying when he shoved me down, then rushing through security, my head spins from hunger and throbs from dehydration.

He knew who I was before I even stepped into view.None of what happened in the designated smoking area surprised him.

My mind drops into a pseudo trance as the g-force of takeoff pulls all my blood to my toes.Bittersweet memories threaten to swallow me whole.