All Chapters of A Vow Written in Blood : Chapter 11 - Chapter 16

The broken crown was not a place. It was a person. Caterina Russo had once been engaged to Gabriel. Their engagement ended six months before his supposed death, after Gabriel publicly accused her father of stealing from the Romano family. Nobody had seen Caterina since. Dante found her living under another name in a coastal town three hours away. They arrived after dark. The address belonged to a weathered cottage overlooking the sea. Dante ordered his guards to remain near the road while he and Alessia approached alone. A woman opened the door before they knocked. Caterina’s once-long hair had been cut to her chin. A thin scar crossed her eyebrow, and the pistol in her hand remained steady. “You took too long,” she told Dante. Alessia stepped forward. “Where is my brother?” Caterina looked at her. Then she lowered the weapon. Inside, a fire burned beneath an old stone mantel. Medical supplies occupied one corner, and the remains of dinner sat on a table set for two. A f

Alessia stood before the mirror while three women adjusted the final layers of her gown. The dress was ivory rather than white. Delicate lace covered her arms, and the fitted bodice gave way to a skirt that moved like water around her feet. A knife rested against her thigh. Two pistols had been sewn into hidden pockets. Isabella fastened an antique diamond necklace around Alessia’s throat. “It belonged to Dante’s grandmother.” “It’s beautiful.” “She shot her first husband.” Alessia met Isabella’s gaze in the mirror. “Why?” “He attempted to poison her.” “Did he survive?” “Briefly.” Alessia touched the diamonds. “A comforting wedding tradition.” Isabella smiled. “You’ll fit into this family perfectly.” Gabriel entered after the other women departed. He wore a black suit, though weakness still affected his movements. Caterina waited outside the suite, watching him with the protective attention of someone who had spent years keeping him alive. Brother and s

The doctor placed seventeen stitches in Dante’s shoulder. Alessia remained beside him throughout the procedure, still wearing her bloodstained wedding gown. She rejected every suggestion that she change until the doctor confirmed the bullet had caused no permanent damage. When they were alone inside Dante’s bedroom, she used Gabriel’s knife to cut through the ruined fabric. The ivory dress pooled around her feet. Dante watched from the bed, his arm secured in a sling. “You should rest,” she said. “I am resting.” “You’re staring.” “I was shot at my wedding. I’m entitled to one pleasant experience.” Alessia stepped out of the gown wearing the silk beneath it. Dante looked pained. “Is your shoulder worse?” “My shoulder is irrelevant.” She disappeared into the bathroom and returned wearing one of his black shirts. Its hem reached the middle of her thighs. Dante’s gaze darkened. “You’ve lost blood,” she reminded him. “Not enough.” Alessia crossed the room