This Vow of Ours

My body went into shock as I was hoisted like a sack of feathers onto the lap of a stranger who was currently stroking my hair like I was a lost pet of his he saw on the streets while the car smoothly navigated the road. The familiar buildings rolled by the windows as though mocking me that they’re the only witnesses to my abduction.   “Caterina,” the man whispered, his breath coated the back of my ear which was enough to bring shivers down my spine. I could feel every inch of his hard chest against my back and the strength of his thighs squeezing me between them. Every breath I took brought my skin to almost touch the prickling stubble on his chin. I didn’t dare move.   “Did you think you could hide from me forever with a bad dye job?” The arm wrapped around my waist tightened. My senses were overwhelmed by his strong masculine scent along with the clean luxurious smell of the car. I thought I was going to pass out any minute now. &

I blame the silk sheets and the plump cushions. For the first time in a while I had a dreamless night. I was usually assaulted by nightmares in my sleep. Granted I forget about them in a day, there’s a gaping fatigue that accompanies me in my daily life. It’s ironic that I felt more rested here in an unknown place than in my own home.   Home.    Was my father waiting for me at home? Did he stay up late thinking that I’ll be back and just went to clear my mind? Or had he already called the police and they’re looking for me now? The pain in my gut ached at the way I left things between him and me. How could I have known that I’ll be kidnapped right after? If I had, I wouldn’t have left his side and would have continued to be his perfect little daughter, never doubting his words.   Would it have been better? All I wanted was to get to know my dad a little more. Now, I’ve been told that he offered me as payment

Dante’s POV.   No one knows what happened to Caterina Caruso.   But that’s not important. What matters is that I have her now. Lucy. As she liked to call herself. I tried not to scoff out loud. As if I’ll call her that name when she has that face. Whatever. The truth will soon come to the surface and the traitors will pay. Caterina will come back to me and everything will fall into their rightful places. However long it takes.   Only patience isn’t a virtue that most men in my line of work possess. The empire that my father and I built with

My plan of getting along with Dante has not even started yet but it’s already falling apart.  I ate all the food on the table and dressed up in a flattering blue dress. I even blow dried my hair and got to stitching even though I have no idea what I was doing so when he came back, it’d be like it’s the real Caterina waiting for him in his room.   His meeting with Leo lasted for a while that I got so engrossed in the cross-stitch. It was easy enough if you followed the pattern diligently. I was halfway into finishing the flower when Dante came back without Leo. He didn't even say goodbye before leaving. I didn’t know why that bummed me out a bit. 

“Where are they?” I asked,  fretfully looking through the heavy curtains. After the delicious yet very suspenseful round of Ada’s mousse, the three Romano men went to talk “business”, leaving me alone with Ada in the living room. “In my father’s office,” she said with the air of being used to the exclusion. It looked like she didn’t mind at all as she poured herself a glass of scotch with complete ease. Her choice of drink surprised me. She seemed more like a cocktail kind of girl.  She stared at me for a long time which only amped up my anxiousness. I didn’t know what to talk about with her. I have no crazy adventures to compare with hers nor rich friends to gossip about.  “You’re an exac