Vow of Devotion (Vow Series Book 4)
Page 20
How many times I’ve wanted to strip down in front of a crowd, exposing my naked flesh, exposing the fingerprints branded into my upper arms. But it’s only a fantasy that runs through my head as people around me talk about what a wonderful man Pierce DuPre is. So generous. How lucky am I?
Tears well in my eyes. If Grams were alive, she wouldn’t recognize me. She would be so disappointed. One more burden to carry through the day.
I blink my tears away as my thumb glides over the fist-sized red splotch on my ribs. It’s fresh and new. This morning it was yellow with age; tomorrow it’ll be black.
When Pierce demanded the green dress, I laughed. Rookie mistake. Pierce hates to be laughed at.
The heavy thud of a dress shoe across the polished wood floor makes my head pop up and my eyes flick to the door. Pierce’s musky scent burns my nostrils and churns my empty stomach the second before he appears in the doorway.
I track his movements in the mirror. His bow tie is hanging untied and loose around his neck, and the first button of his shirt is popped open. The black tuxedo jacket isn’t in sight.
Pierce fits himself to my back, banding his arms around my torso. The heavy scent of a cigar mixes with his usual cologne.
I tense when his knuckles brush over my ribs.
“Why do you make me do this?”
I don’t answer. I can’t survive another rookie mistake tonight.
“I lay the world at your feet. I’ve filled your closet with the best the world has to offer.” One of his hands leaves my skin and motions around the room. “I’ve given you a luxurious house with the finest amenities. What more could you possibly want?”
Me, my mind screams. Something inside me beats against the walls of my skull, begging to be released from my self-imposed prison.
“What more could you want?”
Love. Safety. Family. This house showcases wealth, but it doesn’t have love or family. And it’s certainly not safe.
I flinch when he pinches the skin at my hipbone. The curves I grew up with are long gone. Instead, I am thin, just skin and bone, exactly what Pierce expects of me.
“Answer me.”
“Nothing,” I lie and clear my throat, forcing a small smile to my lips. “You have given me everything.”
“Come to bed, wife.”
Pierce walks out of the bathroom after issuing his demand. I watch him leave before facing the mirror again. My eyes scan over my ribs, up my arms, and, finally, to my eyes .
Leave. Grams’s voice ricochets through my mind, as clear as if she were still alive and standing next to me.
Leave. Or die.
Enjoy Vow of Devotion?
You can make a huge difference in a book’s life!
Reviews encourage other readers to try out a book. They are critically important to getting the word out about a book and mean the world to every author.
I’d love your help in spreading the word for Vow of Devotion. If you could take a quick moment to leave a review on your favorite book site, I would be forever grateful. It can be as short or as long as you like. You can do that on your preferred retailer. Or on Goodreads. Or on BookBub. Even better? All three! It’s as simple as copying and pasting!
Email me a link to your review at emmarenshaw@outlook.com so I can be sure to thank you. You’re the best!
Acknowledgments
Creating a book from the spark of an idea to the finished product in your hands truly takes a village. I couldn’t live this dream of mine without the help of so many around me. Please accept an apology to anyone I may have left out, it wasn’t by intention—my sincerest apologies and my deepest gratitude.
This was my hardest book to date. A person never really knows what life will throw at them and it’s certainly never convenient. The people who help us through and keep us from stumbling deserve all the greatest gifts the world has to offer. I wish I could gift those people in my life with everything they’ve ever dreamed of, but unfortunately, I can’t. I’ll never stop thanking them.
My darling husband, this book was a beast, huh? Thank you for holding me during every nervous breakdown and loving me through it all. You make every triumph sweeter.
Mom, Dad, Sestra, thank you for the love and support y’all gave to A and me during this time. I love y’all so much. I’m so thankful to have y’all as my family!
A huge Thank You goes to: Catherine (Wormhole Twinsie Forever!), Grahame, Elizabeth, Traci, Hang, Stacey, Becca, Give Me Books, and every other person that contributed to this book. It all means so much and each of you deserve so much more than a thank you.
Bloggers, thank you so much for all the love and support. I’ve loved connecting with so many of you and hope to meet more of you in the future. Whether I’ve chatted with you or never spoken to you, I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication you give to the book community. Thank you so much! I wish I could hug all of you.
The ladies of Emma Renshaw’s Books and Addicted to Love Stories, y’all are freaking wonderful! Thank you so much for the love and support! Y’all are my favorite to hang out with! Thanks for making me smile and laugh.
Lastly, thank YOU! I wish I could thank every reader in person, give them a big hug, and a slice of cake! Every time a reader like you picks up my book, my dreams come true. You’re magnificent! THANK YOU!
About Emma Renshaw
Emma loves to write, just don't ask her to write about herself. If she isn't writing, you can find her lost in a book or trying to get her doggo to take a selfie with her. He usually refuses. At the end of the day, you can find Emma at the closest Mexican restaurant eating queso and sipping on a margarita. She lives in Texas with her husband and dog.
Connect with Emma
You can find Emma in all the book-loving hang outs! I’d also love to have you in my Facebook reader group: Emma Renshaw’s Books.
Website: emmarenshaw.com
Facebook: facebook.com/emmarenshawauthor
Instragram: instagram.com/emmarenshawauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/emmarenshawauthor
BookBub: bookbub.com/profile/emma-renshaw
Amazon: amazon.com/author/emmarenshaw
Books by Emma Renshaw
Vow of Retribution
Vow of Atonement
Vow of Honor
Vow of Devotion