Page 119 of Vow

Andino’s hands cupped under her jaw, and he tipped her head back, so he could stare into her eyes. “There’s a little more to it; more people and reasons than just this … but it’s a big part of it, yes.”

“I don’t think I’m worth that.”

“You’re worth the moon and the stars to me, Haven. I would burn this city down if that’s what it would take to have you. Don’t ever underestimate what I am willing to do to make sure you’re right where you belong.”

“And where is that?”

She knew.

She still wanted him to say it.

“With me. You belong with me.”

This man was something else, and Haven didn’t know what to do about it. A man so willing to draw blood, and strike out first simply because he could, and he knew what he wanted. That thing just happened to be her. She could see the truth reflecting back in his eyes—nothing and no one was ever going to be worth what she was to him. No one would ever draw his fury and violence out like she could.

May their God save the soul who thought to take Haven from Andino.

May their God have mercy.

This man would have none.

Haven knew that absolutely.

“You terrify me, Andino.”

He grinned. “Why is that?”

“Because you’re never going to let me go.”

“But do you want me to?”

Her answer came easy.

So sure.

Whispered, too.

“No, I don’t want you to ever let me go.”

• • •

Haven could feel Andino’s eyes on her from down the table. He’d moved from her side to have a conversation with one of his cousin’s boyfriends—or husband? Haven wasn’t sure if Catherine was married to the man they called Cross, or not. There were so many Marcellos, and she was having a hard time keeping up with who was who, and who was married to who or just with so and so.

She loved it.

She did.

But even as she talked along with Catrina—Andino’s aunt, and Dante’s wife—she could still feel Andino watching her. He’d long since ended the conversation with Cross, but he hadn’t come back to join her at the other end of the table.

“I’m sure your mom was looking forward to seeing you, then,” Catrina said. “Too bad you missed that flight … Dante?”

“Hmm, yes, bella?”

“Did you know that Haven’s mother is sick?”

Dante’s gaze turned on her, and then down the table to where his own mother was sitting beside her husband next to the only Irish girl at the table—next to Haven, although she wasn’t as Irish as Gabbie Marcello. The girl was married to another one of Andino’s cousins. Haven only remembered who she was married to because of the fact she was so vibrantly different from the rest of the Marcellos.

“I did not know that,” Dante said, glancing back at Haven. “I’m sorry.”