Page 86 of Blood Vows

“Don’t make me change my mind.”

“I won't.” That was probably the first easy promise he had ever made.

The vault company occupied three floors of an old stone building in Manhattan. There was no sign outside, no advertising, and nothing to suggest millions of dollars in secrets lived behind the heavy brass doors.

Elena sat between Isabella and Dante in the back of Luca’s SUV. No one spoke. Her father’s key rested in her palm. Dante’s thigh was inches from hers. She was painfully aware of the space separating them. Before today, he would have put a hand on her knee, her back, her wrist—something. Now he kept his hands to himself, and a part of her hated that—and she hated herself for hating it.

The SUV stopped, and Luca looked back. “You ready?”

“No.” Dante’s gaze moved to her, and Elena took a breath. “But I’m going in.”

They entered together. Security was extensive. IDs were checked, phones surrendered, and weapons locked away, which Dante hated so much it almost made Elena smile—almost.

A private attendant led them downstairs. “Mr. Romano listed only one authorized beneficiary,” the woman said.

“Elena Romano,” Dante said.

“Yes.” She glanced at Luca, Dante, and Isabella. “Only Ms. Romano may enter the private viewing room.”

Dante immediately said, “No.”

Elena turned to look at him. “Here we go.”

“It’s not happening,” he said.

The attendant looked uncomfortable. “This is our policy.”

Dante didn’t seem to care. Elena touched his arm, and he froze. “I’ll be fine,” she insisted.

“You don’t know that,” he said.

“It’s a bank vault,” she said. “A private vault.”

“Semantics,” he grumbled. “Elena⁠—"

She lowered her voice. “You said I get to choose.” His expression changed. Damn. She’d used his own words against him, and it seemed to be working.

Dante looked toward the corridor at the two cameras. There was only one security guard, and all the doors would be locked. He seemed to hate every second of it, but he finally nodded. “Five minutes.”

She almost smiled. “You don’t control the vault company and how long it takes them to unlock everything for me.”

“Five minutes,” he said again.

“What happens if I’m longer?” she questioned.

“I come through the door,” Dante said.

The attendant’s eyes widened, and Elena sighed. “He’s kidding.”

Dante looked at her. “No, I’m not.” Of course he wasn’t kidding.

She followed the attendant inside. The viewing room was small and private. A steel table in the center. The attendant brought in a long metal box. “Take as much time as you need.” Elena waited until the woman left, and then she inserted the key. Her hand shook as the lock turned. She lifted the lid, and inside were three things—a stack of documents, a flash drive, and a letter. Her name was written across the envelope in her father’s handwriting, and Elena felt as though she forgot how to breathe. She reached for it and opened it.

My Elena,

Her eyes filled immediately, but she forced herself to continue.

If you are reading this, then I failed to keep you out of the life I never wanted for you.