Vow of Retribution

by Emma Renshaw

  I suck in a harsh breath, reliving the anger. “Dick knew these fucking guys. If he hadn’t pawned his debt off on me and just left, they would have killed her and the baby. It wouldn’t have mattered to them. He left them in even more danger than if he stayed. He left them clueless about the danger they were in.”

  Savannah’s tears were streaming down her cheeks. “Oh, my gosh. What did they do?”

  “I did what I had to do to keep them safe. My original plan before showing up on Dick’s doorstep was to beat the shit out of Dick and then convince the Boss it wasn’t my debt. That the fucker lied. I couldn’t do that now, though. I had the money, baby. I left their house, paid the debt in full, including extra money, in hope of guaranteeing their safety. I stayed in Chicago for the next few months until I found a job here and found Kristen a safe place to go. I moved after she did. I also told myself I would never play poker again.”

  Savannah turns to face me, leaning against the sink. “Not even with your dad?”

  “I don’t want to risk it.”

  “But your dad isn’t some underground mafia king.”

  I laugh. “No, he’s definitely not that, but I can’t remember the last time I played poker for fun. Every time, it started to be about the money, even if it was very low stakes at a guys’ night. Don’t want to be that guy again.”

  Savannah nods, biting her bottom lip. She sighs and steps forward, putting her hands on my hips, looking up at my face. “You have to tell your dad. The game meant too much to the both of you to just continue to brush it away.”

  I close my eyes, sighing, knowing she’s right, but dreading that conversation.

  She hugs me close to her body. “I’m glad Kristen and the baby are safe.”

  “Me, too, sweetheart.” I kiss the top of her head. “Do you think differently of me?” I feel like a pussy for even asking the question, but I need to know.

  “Yes,” she says.

  I tense, pushing her away and breaking our hug. I look down at her, ready for anything that she’s going to throw at me. My arms cross over my chest, muscles coiled tight.

  “I think even better of you than I did an hour ago. You were a hero to Kristen. Did you do things you shouldn’t have? Yeah, probably, but we’re human. We all do that. In the end, you did the right thing. You did better than the right thing without thinking a selfish thought. I’m guessing it was a lot of money you parted with. You didn’t question handing it over with a bonus to keep them safe. You stayed in Chicago until she found a better place to go. You’re a wonderful man, Liam, which I already knew, but I do think of you differently. My opinion of you has only grown.”

  My arms drop to my sides, stunned that this gorgeous girl can see anything in me other than the prick that I was. I don’t deserve her, that’s for sure, and a better man would let her go to find someone who does. I wrap her in my arms, determined to keep her. Every day I will wake up working my ass off to be the man she deserves.

  “I’m leaving,” Harper yells through the door.

  “Hang on,” Savannah calls. She walks to her bedroom door, opening it and allowing Harper inside.

  “I made a three-layer salted caramel chocolate fudge cake.”

  “Holy shit,” I mutter, my mouth watering, wondering if I can convince Savannah to leave it here and just the two of us can eat it.

  “You’re a godsend,” Savannah tells her, hugging her close. Harper smiles at me over Savannah’s shoulder, shooting me a thumbs up. I grin back her and nod, letting her know that I’ll take good care of Savannah.

  “I have to get back to the store. Later, kids.” Harper waves over her shoulder as she walks out of the room. Savannah closes the door behind her, going over to her closet. I follow her, watching as she changes her bra. She went commando this morning because she didn’t have any other underwear. My cock hardens watching her, and my chest heats with the knowledge she is comfortable enough to let me see her as she changes.

  I groan when she puts on a matching lace bra and panty set. I stalk toward her, set on being even later than we are. She puts her hand on my chest. “Oh, no you don’t, barbarian. Get out of here.” She pushes my chest, trying to back me up, but I don’t move. Finally, she takes her hand away, letting me move toward her. I wrap her in my arms, my hand going to her bare ass cheek, kneading it. Savannah kisses her way up my neck, sucking on my earlobe. I growl, using the hand on her ass to grind her into my cock.

  She whispers in my ear, “If you walk out of here right now, I promise I will reward you in a delicious way, but if you stay…” She grabs my hand, sliding it into the front of her panties, guiding a finger into her wet heat. She moans. “If you stay, I’ll be closed for business.” She pulls my hand out of her and pushes me away.

  I watch her for a moment, seeing the challenge and promise in her eyes. I turn on my heel, stomping out of her closet. “Devil woman,” I throw over my shoulder.

  She laughs and shuts her closet door.

  38

  SAVANNAH

  “I don’t know why we couldn’t just leave the cake at your house,” Liam grumbles.

  “Because I begged Harper to come home from work to make it, so I wouldn’t have to show up at your parents’ house empty-handed.”

  “You didn’t have to bring anything, we can enjoy this all on our own.”

  “Nope,” I reply, batting his hand away. He’s been trying to open the container while driving to get a piece of the icing. “I’m nervous enough as it is, especially after you told me about Monday.”

  His entire family probably already hates me and thinks I cause nothing but drama. Let’s just hope they don’t find out I have an ex-boyfriend in prison who wants to kill me when he’s released. I can be emotionally unstable. I plan to kill my ex-boyfriend when he tries to kill me. Who wouldn’t want their son with this woman? I’m a catch. I lean my forehead against my palm, which is clammy and shaking. The shaking only gets worse when we pull in front of a substantial traditional colonial home.

  I look down at my casual dress and sandals, feeling incredibly out of place. The house has columns. Freaking columns! My mind races trying to remember anything my mother told me about etiquette. I grew up in a modest ranch-style house. “Is this where you grew up?” I ask Liam.

  “No,” he answers, hopping out of the Jeep and coming to my side. I would have opened my own door, but I’m too busy staring at the large balcony on the second floor. This home would be perfect on the set of a movie. “My parents downsized when my sister and I were about to graduate high school. The house I grew up in isn’t too far from here, though.”

  My gaze swings to Liam’s, my mouth hanging open. “Downsized?” I manage to squeak out.

  He holds out his hand, waiting for me to climb down. He’s already holding the cake in his other hand.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea,” I whisper.

  “What are you talking about?” Liam asks, bewildered.

  “I—” I stop, shutting my mouth, feeling incredibly small for what I’m about to say. “I don’t think I’m dressed nice enough.”

  “Baby, you look beautiful. What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not sure I’m fancy enough for—” I wave my hands in front of me, trying to encompass the huge home— “for all of this.”

  Liam throws his head back laughing. “Believe me, we aren’t fancy. Come on, you’ll see. My parents just want tons of room for all the grandkids they’re dying for.”

  That statement definitely didn’t help my nerves. I gulp and climb down with Liam’s help. Liam walks right into the house, pulling me after him. The front hall is adorned with family pictures on the crisp, white walls. The floors are dark wood, contrasting the lightness of the walls and decor. I’ve only seen a tiny portion of this house and I can already tell it is immaculately decorated. I’m drooling over each piece we pass and feel like I’m walking through photos from a home magazine. Fresh flowers are spread throughout each room we pass.

  “I�
�ll give you a tour later,” Liam says. “We can end in my old bedroom.” He waggles his eyebrows.

  “Absolutely not,” I hiss.

  He calls for his mom and dad as we walk farther into the house. It isn’t until we are near the back of the house that we start to hear noise coming from the deck. Liam leads me outside to a garden oasis. The lawn is lush and fluffy. It looks like you could lie back right on the grass for hours, basking in the sun. One side of the deck is extended until it reaches a large pool with a rock waterfall and slide. The shadow we’re standing under tells me that there is also a balcony off the back of the second floor. Beautiful, colorful flowers are in the flower beds lining the deck and yard.

  “Hey, honey.”

  I turn toward the woman’s voice, seeing Liam’s mother for the first time. She is just as immaculate as the home we just walked through. Her crisp, brunette bob is stylishly curled and dark eyes expertly lined. Her dark-wash skinny jeans and white blouse look like they wouldn’t dare hold a wrinkle in her presence. I’m more and more terrified, the closer she comes to us. I’m trying to smile, but fear that it looks like more of a grimace. Her smile is broad and welcoming. She opens her arms right before she approaches us, and Liam opens his to give his mother a hug, but she bypasses him and comes straight at me. He’s staring at her with his arms outstretched, cake balancing in one of his large hands. My eyes widen when she wraps her arms around me.

  “We’re a huggin’ family, sweetheart,” She rubs my back as I robotically wrap my arms around her, giving her a pat. “You’ll have to get used to it.”

  I look up at Liam. He’s wearing his smug smile, like this is going just how he planned, but he says, “Damn, Mom, I bring a girl home and you just walk by your only son.”

  His mom ignores him, releasing me from the hug, and grasps my hands. “I’m Katie,” she says.

  “Hi, Mrs. Adler, I’m Savannah.”

  She tsks. “No, none of that. Call me Katie. Mrs. Adler is my mother-in-law, and believe me, we don’t like her.”

  I giggle nervously. Katie pats my cheek. “I’m so happy to meet you.”

  “I’m good, how are you?” Liam says. “Oh, good, good.”

  “Liam, be quiet. I greeted the important guest.”

  He smiles. “Can’t argue there, Mom. She is important.”

  I blush as they both stare at me. Liam has his arm wrapped around his mom now. I take the cake from his free hand, extending it to his mom.

  “I brought a three-layer salted caramel chocolate cake for dessert. Thank you for having me.”

  “Oh, honey, you didn’t have to go through the trouble, but it sounds divine. I can’t wait to taste it.”

  I smile, not correcting that I didn’t make it. I don’t exactly want to offer up right away that I almost burned our kitchen to the ground making toast. Liam smirks at me. I glare at him.

  “Come on, come on,” Katie says, taking the cake from my hands. “Come meet everyone else.”

  Liam’s father and sister are sitting near the grill, heads turned toward us, watching the exchange. I’m thankful we weren’t bombarded as we walked out the door. I’m still nervous and shaking, but Katie did ease my anxiety a bit. Liam’s brother-in-law and nephew are on the lawn playing catch. I’m not sure if they know we’re here.

  His father and sister stand as we approach. His sister is glaring at Liam, erasing any relief I was feeling just moments ago.

  “Sis,” Liam says.

  “Asshole,” she replies. I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. She looks over at me and grins.

  Liam looks at me unamused. “Really?” he asks.

  I shrug my shoulders. Liam’s sister comes up to me, wrapping me in the same hug her mother did. Then pulls back with her arms still around me. She smiles. “I can already tell. I’m going to like you. Probably more than I like my brother.”

  I laugh again, feeling at ease once more. “Thanks,” Liam replies dryly.

  “I’m Olivia,” his sister says.

  “Savannah,” I reply, smiling back at her. I think I’m going to like her, too. She has the same warm, amber eyes as Liam. “I’m sorry he was rude to you earlier this week. That was my fault.”

  “That was not your fault,” everyone standing on the deck says. I jump, surprised that everyone came to my defense, including his father who I have yet to meet.

  His father takes me from Olivia, hugging me tight like the rest of the family did. I catch a glimpse of Liam wrapping Olivia in a hug, murmuring in her ear. A small smile tugs at my lips, and I’m happy that they are having a moment together. “It’s good to meet you, sweetheart. I’m Henry. And don’t even try that Mr. Adler shit on me.” He gives me the same grin that his son has, the one I melt for each time it’s shot my way.

  I smile back at him, seeing that Liam was telling the truth. He is just like his father. “I’m Savannah.”

  “Oh, fresh meat,” I hear another voice call. I turn to see Liam’s brother-in-law heading up the deck steps with his son in his arms.

  “Unca Liam! Unca Liam! Unca Liam!”

  “Hey, Champ, that’s the type of greeting I’m talking about,” Liam takes his nephew from his brother-in-law’s arms and swings him around. The giggles that fill the air are the sweetest sounds.

  I’m taken into another hug, but this one is quick. “You really will get used to all the hugs. I’m Josh, Olivia’s husband.”

  “Savannah,” I tell him.

  He leans toward me, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear, but appearing to be a conspiratorial manner, “Want a piece of advice from another Adler outsider?”

  “Of course,” I say back in the same manner, unable to stop my smile.

  “Run!” He shoots his thumb over his shoulder. “These people are a bunch of crazies.”

  I laugh along with him, liking him just as much as I do Olivia. I can tell they have the same humor and must spar often.

  Liam walks back over to me, wrapping his free arm around me. “Champ, this is my girlfriend, Savannah. Savannah, this heartbreaker right here, is Tanner.”

  “Hi, Tanner,” I say, giving him a small wave.

  He smiles the same crooked grin on Liam’s face. “You’re pretty.”

  Liam starts tickling him, asking, “Are you trying to steal my girl?”

  Tanner giggles, trying to push his hands away. Everyone else is laughing, too. I feel the last piece of my anxiety slipping away.

  39

  LIAM

  My dad is staring at me, thinking of what to say. He hasn’t said a word since I laid every one of my mistakes on the table. He’s been watching me quietly since I told him I wanted to talk with him. I used the free time alone with him to tell him everything about Chicago and the underground world I fell into. Josh is inside putting Tanner to sleep. My mom and Olivia are sitting with Savannah. They’re each curled into an Adirondack chair, talking. I look over at them, checking on Savannah. My mouth tugs into a smile when I see her smile, rubbing my sister’s tiny baby bump.

  I look back at my father, who is still watching me. “I’m glad you got out of that, son.”

  I nod, expecting so much more from him.

  “It explains a few weeks ago when I asked you to play a hand.”

  I nod again, looking down, completely ashamed I ruined something that we both enjoyed doing together.

  “I want you to play again. We’ve never played for money. That’s not what we do. If you never play another hand with another person again, that’s your decision. You will play with me, though.”

  I look back at Savannah. “I can’t risk becoming that person again.”

  “You won’t, not with me.”

  “We’ll see,” I tell him, not ready to commit to anything yet.

  “I’d never let you hurt her. We all love her.” I look to my dad. He’s looking at the women now, too. “If you treat her like garbage or anything like that co-worker did, I will personally kick your ass.”

  I laugh. “You’ll
have to get in line. I’d kick my own ass if I did anything like that to her.”

  Savannah’s cackle catches my attention. I whip my head toward her, feeling the burning in my chest. I want to walk over there, wrap her in my arms, and inhale that sound. I don’t know what she’s laughing about, but I find myself chuckling along with her.

  “Told you,” Josh says, coming up behind me, clapping me on the shoulder. He sits down, opening a fresh beer.

  “Told me what?”

  My dad is already smiling, clinking his beer with Josh. “That you were fucked.”

  I look back at Savannah. Bastard is right. I’m so fucked. There’s no chance of letting her go now.

  “How’s it going, Adler Fam?” I turn toward the voice. Hudson is walking into my parents’ backyard through their gate.

  He walks over to the women first, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek before coming to us. “I could see the food across the street,” he says, rubbing his stomach. “Figured you would have extra, thought I’d grace you with my presence.”

  A couple of years ago, after Hudson bought a stake in his family’s company, he purchased the lot across from my parents, tore down the house that was sitting on it, and built a monstrosity in its place. I can’t deny that it’s a gorgeous house, but it is way too big for one man who refuses to bring a hook-up into his bed.

  None of us laugh, used to his certain brand of charm.

  My dad shakes his head and stands. “Come on boys, let’s eat.”

  We all follow him over to the women. He helps each of them up and holds my mom’s hand as we walk over to the table.

  “I see you brought your girl home,” Hudson says. “Risky move. She’ll think it’s serious.”

  “It is,” I tell him.

  “Really, man?” Hudson stops walking.

  I stop, pulling up next to him. “Yeah, she’s....” I pause, searching for the right word to encompass everything that is Savannah. “Everything.”