The Pledge: Mafia Vows Read online

  “No. If someone cut off my thumb and held it onto the pad, and had somehow gained the access code, they could get in.”

  I shudder at the blasé way these men discuss such things. Talk about a different world.

  “What if they cut off your head and held it up to the camera?” Alesso says.

  Andrius stares at him for a moment, before punching him in the arm. “It’s good to see you, motherfucker.”

  As we walk up the long drive, I startle when I see a huge beast barreling toward us. Andrius drops my bag, kneels down, and opens his arms as the dog jumps into them, its body wiggling side to side.

  “Hey, Levi,” he says with a kiss to its nose. “You been looking after our lady?”

  The dog is panting all over Andrius who turns to Alesso and says, “And if you both hadn’t been with me and decided to casually stroll up my drive, then Levi here would have taken a chunk out of you. Then there’s the cameras in all the trees, all of which send live footage to a property set back from mine, where I have three men who work shifts and live there too. And then when you get to the house, you have to enter a different code to get in the front door. I have two maids, both of them trained in armed combat and carrying concealed weapons, but Violet doesn’t know this as I do not want her to feel like a prisoner in her own home.”

  “Christ, you are paranoid, aren’t you?” Alesso says.

  “You’re not paranoid if they really are out to get you,” Andrius replies with a smirk. “And since the shit with Damen, this never-ending crap with Yannis, and never mind the fact that Allyov has managed to suck me back into this, let’s say, I am a little concerned.”

  “You know what they say about this life, friend.” Alesso stops as we reach the door. “You don’t get to leave.”

  “Don’t I fucking know it. Now, no more business talk once we step over the threshold, okay?”

  Alesso nods, as do I, despite not having made any business talk.

  Andrius taps in another code and opens the door, gesturing for us to enter.

  The hallway is simple and classy. It’s airy and light inside, with a pale wooden floor in the hallway that seems to run into the other rooms too, from what I can see through a couple of open doors.

  At the far end of the hall is a door that’s closed, but it opens now, and a petite and striking young woman walks through it. She’s unusual looking, but beautiful. Her hair is very pale blonde, and so are her eyelashes and eyebrows. She has a light tan and dark blue eyes. Her eyes are huge, and as her gaze lands on me they warm as she smiles.

  “You must be Stella. I’m Violet. Welcome.”

  She throws me off guard by pulling me in for a hug. Her bump gets in the way, and she giggles, steps back, and puts a hand on her belly.

  “Hey, Alesso.” She gives him a warm smile and reaches up to brush a kiss over his cheek.

  “You’re looking well,” he tells her.

  She smiles again, and it’s radiant. The sort of smile that lights up a person’s whole being. “Yes, the life here agrees with me. I can’t say I miss the UK much. All that grey and rain.”

  “It’s going to be a full house because Justina is due to fly out for a week. Not with her partner, Angela, though. She’s away on a course.”

  Justina? I glance at Alesso, and Violet says. “She’s Andrius’ ex-housekeeper, and now she runs a business out of his house in England.”

  “Our house,” Andrius corrects her.

  “Andrius, darling, will you take the bags upstairs, and I can show Stella around?”

  “Of course. Come, Alesso, help an old man carry bags.”

  Alesso laughs. “Yeah, right, how many kilometers did you just run?”

  They head off up the stairs with the bags, bantering, and Violet turns to me. “I don’t know much because Andrius keeps things from me; he thinks I worry. I do know, however, that you’re here because there was some trouble, and Alesso wants you to be safe. So, I know you must be scared.”

  I give her a weak smile, her kindness threatening to be my undoing. “It’s been a stressful few months.”

  “You’re safe here, and you must feel secure knowing Alesso is looking out for you. He’s a good man.”

  The certainty with which she says this has me turning my head her way. She leads me into the kitchen and goes to the fridge, where she takes out a chilled bottle of white wine. “You must want a drink.”

  I nod. “It would be rather nice.”

  She nods, and grabbing two glasses, pours some wine for me, then takes a juice carton out of the fridge and pours herself a glass.

  “Do you miss drinking?” I ask.

  She shakes her head, her blonde hair sparkling under the downlights of the ceiling like a halo. “No, I didn’t drink much anyway. Although,” she goes a pretty shade of pink, “one of the very few times I’ve gotten drunk in my life, kind of resulted in Andrius and I getting together, so I suppose it isn’t always bad.”

  I take a sip of the wine, and it’s chilled as it goes down, but another larger sip results in a nice warmth in my belly. I look around the kitchen, and it is lovely.

  A stone floor is complemented by pale wooden units, the walls are simple white, and there are chunky shelves dotted around with blue pots on them. The tablecloth is a simple blue and white checked oil cloth, and the chairs are comfortable looking wood with soft cushion seats. It’s got a farmhouse feel to it, and an old-world charm.

  “Come, let’s go have a seat in the living room while we enjoy our drinks, then I’ll show you upstairs to your room.”

  I follow her into the living area, and it’s also absolutely gorgeous. A large white sofa and three matching chairs are artfully arranged around the room, and by a low window is a wooden chaise lounge with a white seat. Matching wooden shutters surround double doors leading out to the patio, and there are two ornate shutters on the wall, used as decoration, made from the same wood. I don’t know if they are original antiques or they had them made.

  On the shelves are more blue objects. Some vases, a figurine of a woman, and some brightly colored Russian Dolls. On a low table by the sofa is a lamp with a thick wooden base, matching the other wood in the room, and a huge white shade. Scatter cushions in various shades of blue litter the sofa and chairs.

  “I have to say, I love your taste,” I tell Violet.

  This house is so welcoming and soothing. It’s helped calm my nerves some, as has Violet’s presence. She’s a refreshing antidote to the testosterone-fest that is Alesso and Andrius.

  “Thank you. I am quite proud of it because unlike Andrius’ home in England, which is amazing, I had a hand in this.”

  “Your home too,” I tell her, reminding her of his words.

  She smiles and dips her head. “Yes, it is, I suppose. I don’t think of it that way, though. This here is our home, and the house in England I view as his really. It’s a very old … well, it’s a stately home almost, and it is stunning, but this is where I feel happy.”

  “How far is it from here to Corfu town?” I ask her. I’ve always wanted to visit, as it looks so beautiful.”

  “About fifteen to twenty minutes by car.”

  Low voices and footsteps on the stairs precede the two men moments before they enter the room.

  God, they’re a striking pair.

  Violet fits them perfectly, with her unusual beauty, but not me. I’m skinny, no curves, not what most men want. And now I’ve got this crazy hair; I must look a total mess.

  “Do you want a whiskey?” Andrius asks Alesso.

  He nods, and I expect Andrius to serve them, but he turns to Violet. “Zaika, would you pour us both a whiskey?”

  She nods but a tiny frown line appears between her brows and deepens when Andrius gestures to me.

  “Follow me, Stella. I’ll show you to your room.”

  Alesso has only just parked himself on the end of the sofa, and now he starts to stand, but Andrius holds his hand up.

  “Rest, take your drink. We will only
be a moment.”

  I don’t like it, but I follow Andrius out of the room.

  He heads up the stairs, me trailing him, my stomach a bag of nerves. This man doesn’t do anything by accident. This, him showing me to my room is deliberate, and I wonder why.

  It doesn’t take me long to find out.

  “This is your room.” He’s taken me to a door at the very end of the long corridor leading from the stairs. “It is next to Alesso’s. You have your own bathroom. This one has a bath; the one Alesso is in only has a shower. Violet loves taking baths, so does Justina, so I am assuming most women do.”

  I do love a nice long soak in the bath every so often. “Don’t you like baths?” I ask him before I can stop myself.

  He shrugs and then smiles a dark smile. “With Violet, I like baths. On my own, not so much. Unless you have an injury the heat will help, it’s a waste of time. Showering is more efficient.”

  I nod and smile when I see my bags on the bed.

  “Thanks for bringing these up for me.”

  I turn around and bite back a squeak. He’s right up in my space. Not more than a couple of inches of air between us, and I didn’t hear him move.

  He looks at me, his ghostly, cool gaze wandering over my face. “I know you called Maya, and you got her to keep secrets from Damen. Secrets which could have put her in danger. I don’t know fully what is going on with you, if you really are so stupid you thought you could do an expose on a corrupt politician and not put yourself in danger, or if there is more to your story. But know this.”

  His eyes harden and go from their usual ghostly grey to a flinty steel. “You do not tell Violet anything you haven’t shared with me or Alesso. No secrets. My wife, she has a soft heart, and if I find out you have used that to put her in any sort of danger, either through stupidity or deceit, you will find out what happens when I break my rule.”

  His rule: No harm to women or children. I swallow hard. Great. I am going to feel so welcome here.

  “We will leave,” I say, forcing my voice not to wobble and jutting my chin.

  “No. Alesso has asked for my help, and I will give it. And you are most welcome here, Stella. I like you; you’re a nice girl, I think. My instinct is telling me you were simply stupid in these things you have done recently. I do not wish you harm, nor do I wish to scare you. I simply tell you—do not put Violet in any danger … knowingly, or you will not like the consequences.”

  His adding knowingly gives me a modicum of relief. So, he’s not going to skin me alive if Yannis Pappas comes looking for me, so long as I don’t do any more dumb things.

  “You’re correct in your assessment. I didn’t mean any harm. I never thought I would get into trouble. I wanted to make my way in the world, and maybe it was stupid because God knows the anxiety disorder I had is turning into full-blown daily panic disorder, but I believed if I could do something worthwhile then maybe I could change things. Change the world, but also me, and I didn’t want to follow in the path—”

  He holds his hand up, cutting me off. “Stella, I do not need to know. If you want my advice?”

  I nod, so he goes on.

  “The way to avoid doing any more stupid and dangerous things is to tell Alesso everything. I mean everything. Share with him, with me, with Damen, Markos, Cole … any of us. You tell us if anything odd or untoward happens.”

  “Like what?”

  He sighs. “Like anything. A woman in the bathroom at a restaurant asking you a little too many questions. A man you think you’ve seen a few times before always lurking around wherever you go. Any phone calls, any attempt by anyone, like Yannis, to contact you—you tell someone. If, and this is not likely to happen, but I am giving you an example. If say, Yannis calls you and says he will hurt someone you love if you don’t go to meet him. Don’t do what all the assholes in the movies do and sneak out to go meet him. Tell Alesso. Tell me. Because trust me, you only get so many chances here, and if you keep putting me, my friends, and our women in danger, you’ll find yourself with no friends left.”

  I want to cry, and I bite my lip to try to stop it.

  He reaches for me, and using one knuckle tips my face up.

  “Don’t cry, Stella. You can hate me if you want, but realize I say these things to help you. To keep you safe, and Maya, and Violet. Yannis and his ilk seem happy to break the codes we live by. And now, you have a homicidal people trafficker on your tail, so be smart.”

  He lets go of my face and steps away. “I’ll leave you to unpack your things. Please, I mean it when I say you are welcome. Make this house your home, but don’t go outside unless you let someone know. The pool area is fine, as is the terrace, but beyond that don’t go exploring. If you want to leave the grounds and go for a run or a walk, always let me or Alesso know, and take someone with you.”

  I nod. “I will … and thank you. For letting us stay.”

  He says something that sounds like neto nishto to my ears, and then he’s gone.

  I flop down on the bed and cover my face with one arm. Silently, I let myself cry.

  I’ve fucked up so bad. Only now, with Andrius’ words, do the true importance of all the decisions I’ve made hit home. Phoning Maya and expecting her to keep it a secret from Damen was the icing on the cake. Shit, I wonder how much trouble I’ve caused between them?

  I turn to my side and let myself quietly sob, aware the door isn’t fully closed and not wanting anyone to hear. I should get up and close it, but I have nothing left in me. Not even enough energy to move to the damn door.

  “Hey.” The bed dips, and a familiar scent, lemony and fresh, envelopes me.

  Alesso.

  “Stella, don’t cry. What did that fucker say to you?” He pulls me around to face him. “We’ll leave if he’s made you unwelcome. I love that man like a brother, but he’s hardly good with people.”

  “It’s not him,” I say on a hiccup. “Honestly, please don’t say anything; he was nothing but nice.” I lie, but it’s a small white one to preserve their friendship because God knows, I’ve done enough harm already. “I’ve just realized how very stupid I’ve been.”

  “Yeah, you have.” He gives me a rueful grin, but then he brushes a strand of short hair from my forehead and shrugs. “We all do stupid things, though, and you’re only young. And maybe … you’re not making the best decisions because you’re so anxious, so stressed? Did you think of that?”

  “No.” I hadn’t, but it makes sense.

  “Anxiety disrupts the decision-making part of the brain and stops us from being able to think properly. You’ve been anxious for years, probably a mix of nurture and nature. You’re sensitive, I can see that, and you had a horrible figure in your life who put you down … and worse. Maybe try to work on your anxiety, and the better decision making will follow.”

  “How am I supposed to work on my anxiety?” I ask him. “I’ve had therapy, lots of it. I tried meds, but they made me worse, or helped but made me drowsy.”

  “Maybe, you ought to … take the pressure off. Why the fuck do you have to be a lawyer or a doctor? Tell your parents to go stuff themselves, Stella. Seriously, what do you love?”

  “Animals,” I say immediately. “I’ve always wanted lots of dogs, cats, rabbits, and I love horses. I used to ride. I’d like to be a vet nurse, or something where I work with animals.”

  “So, do that.”

  “I could, but it doesn’t pay well, and my parents would be disappointed. It’s why I thought of going to join my aunt in America because if I lived with her, I wouldn’t have to pay rent, and she has room. Then I could work, save, and eventually maybe get a place of my own.”

  He smiles and strokes my cheek. He’s not doing too well with this not touching business.

  “Do you want kids?”

  His question blindsides me. At first, I consider lying because if I tell him the truth, he might see me as a lesser woman, but he narrows his eyes. “It’s only a question; there is no right or wrong. Authentic,
remember?”

  I swallow and tell him my truth. “I’m not sure. I’m kind of conflicted about it. I love traveling, and I suppose when I picture my dream life, it’s always been me, with a lot of animals and traveling whenever I get the chance. Then I think about raising a child, and how awesome and amazing that would be. If I do picture having kids, though, I always only picture having one, and me and him or her setting off on lots of adventures. Do you think I’m weird to be so ambiguous about it?”

  “No.” He smiles. “I feel the same way. Not because I don’t want to be tied down by children, but I’ve seen so much shit, I’m not sure I want to bring innocent lives into this world. I’d love a lot of animals, though.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, not cats though, they freak me out.”

  “Don’t be silly, cats are awesome.”

  “No, they watch you, and you know they’re planning shit.”

  I snort and giggle then.

  “See, maybe, Stella, your best life is a house somewhere with some land, a few animals, maybe a kid, and the chance to travel?”

  I snort again. “Yes, it sounds glorious but funding that on a vet nurse’s take-home pay would be somewhat difficult.”

  He leans in close, and his voice darkens. “I could give you those things.”

  I can’t even swallow.

  “You’re saying you want to … settle down with me?” I squeak.

  “I want to keep you out of trouble, and like I said before, you need a firm hand. Imagine if you didn’t have to make all those decisions you keep screwing up. Imagine if you only had to … be.”

  “You want control of me?”

  He nods, and his face is serious. “For some reason, Stella, yes, I do.”

  Then he’s gone, leaving my mind whirring.

  What the fuck am I doing? This thing with Stella is dangerous. I think of her face as I told her I wanted control of her. And I do, but not maybe in the way she thinks. I don’t want to tell her what to wear, or be one of those assholes who orders for his woman in a restaurant. I do want to teach her. I do want to keep her safe.