Vicious Vows: A Dark Mafia Romance (Bale’s Villainous Tales Book 4), page 1
CONTENTS
Vicious Vows Playlist
Let’s Connect!
Content Warning:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Also by Sarah Bale:
About the Author
Copyright © 2023 by Sarah Bale
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover design by: Sly Fox Cover Design
Edited by: Katrina Harris
Cover image by: Wander Photography
Cover Model: Wander
First Printing: August 2023
Vicious Vows / Sarah Bale -- 1st ed
To Pedro Pascal and all his cool slutty Daddy vibes… if you know, you know.
To Wander, who captured Daddy Odin perfectly. Thank you.
SCAN TO LISTEN
Lovefool – The Cardigans
Lover – Taylor Swift
Unholy – Sam Smith feat Kim Petras
Chemical – Post Malone
Midnight Rain – Taylor Swift
Hi-Lo (Hollow) – Bishop Briggs
Eat Your Young – Hozier
I Get Off – Halestorm
The Death Of Peace Of Mind – Bad Omens
Bad Game – Michele Morrone
Stuck – Thirty Seconds to Mars
Art of Survival – Bishop Briggs
Aerials – System of a Down
Francesca – Hozier
Dandelions (Slowed and reverb) – Ruth B.
Battle Born – Five Finger Death Punch
Black Thunder – The Hu feat Serj Tankain and Bad Wolves
Eat Your Young (Bekon’s Choral Version) – Hozier
LET’S CONNECT!
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He’s Vicious
Odin Vilulf.
The one man I hate.
The one I shouldn’t crave.
He says he wants me.
That can never happen.
So why do I keep going to him?
It would be so easy to say yes…
Too bad he’s engaged to my mother.
She’s Mine
Anna Aakre.
She’ll be a perfect mafia princess.
I want —need—to make her mine.
But I’m playing a high stakes game.
And Anna is my perfect pawn.
She’ll hate me.
She’ll learn that men in my world always have a plan.
And she’ll see that I only play to win.
CONTENT WARNING:
Dear Reader,
Your safety and well-being are important to me. Please be aware that there are themes that may be triggering to some people.
These themes include: fat shaming, drug use, an age-gap relationship, power play, other woman drama, mentions of trafficking, and mentions of gruesome torture methods.
1
Anna
“Grandmama, this isn’t right.”
I’m rewarded with a stinging slap to my cheek for my insolence. It hurts even more because of the icy wind that swirls snow around us. We’ve been in hiding since Grandmama stepped down from her role as Principàle Donna, the only female to ever rule over New York’s organized crime scene.
Our family home is on an island off the north coast of Norway, called Angrboða. Angrboða is aptly named. It means she who brings sorrow, and that’s all I’ve felt since we arrived nearly six months ago. Sorrow. I used to love it here when I was little. The year-round snow that covers everything on the little island seemed magical. Now it feels more like a prison, especially since I know what’s waiting for us when we return to New York City. My mother is remarrying, a move my grandmama has made to ensure our family loses no more power than it already has. A move that feels oddly timed. Why now?
“You dare to question me?”
I lower my gaze, shaking my head. “No, ma’am.”
“Maybe I’ve done you a disservice by allowing you to stay by my side. You would have been better off spending your time in a gym, losing weight.” Each word pierces my heart, like I’m sure she intends them to. “Return to your room and don’t come out until dinner is served. And know that you will be on a restricted diet until I say otherwise.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
My mother makes no moves to intervene. Why would she? She has always craved power in the same way every other person in my family does. Plus, I know she feels the same way about my weight. They can’t stand that I’m curvy and that it doesn’t bother me. And it doesn’t bother me. Not even now, when Grandmama uses it to barb me. It’s taken me a long time to love my body and I’ll be damned if I let their words hurt me again.
As I leave the balcony, I hear Grandmama say, “This is for the best, Selma.”
“I’ll do my duty, Mother.”
Of course she will. This will make her stand out amongst her sisters.
I make it to the safety of my room, closing the door behind me. My phone is on my nightstand, and I check it. We aren’t allowed to carry our phones on our bodies—one of Grandmama’s many rules. Of course there aren’t any messages. You have to have friends to get messages. All I have are cousins who have been raised just as strictly as me. My only fun cousin lost her phone privileges when she got caught sneaking back into the house a few weeks ago, so I won’t be hearing from her, even though we’re literally on the same property.
Opening Snapchat, I type in Hans’ name in the search bar, bringing up his profile. The latest photo on his story makes my stomach flutter. He’s in Bali right now, on a beach, smiling like he’s having the best time in the world. His skin is golden brown from the sun, making his blue eyes stand out. He’s wearing board shorts with a tropical design, and I take a moment to appreciate his fit body. In the background, I spot several of his brothers. The Vilulf Family does everything together, which is something I find fascinating. What would it be like to be that close to my family? Heck, the only reason we’re all here is because Grandmama was afraid someone would try to kill us.
I sigh softly, my finger hovering over the message button. I’ve chatted a few times with Hans, but I always feel like I’m bothering him. Screw it. I’m lonely and need to talk to someone.
You look like you’re having fun. I’m jealous. I’m still freezing in Angrboða.
That sucks.
I almost drop my phone at his quick reply.
I think we’re coming home soon. My grandmother wants my mom to remarry. I think the contract will be signed soon.
Oh wow.
How long are you going to be in Bali?
Not sure.
I met some people, and they invited me to go to Australia for a bit.
I’m jealous.
You could always sneak away and meet me.
A thrill works its way through me. Is he really asking me to come with him?
I’m sure the hot chicks I met won’t be mad if you tag along.
I deflate faster than a balloon. And there it is. He’s inviting me to tag along. Nothing more. Not only that, but he just mentioned that he’s with several attractive women. Does that mean he doesn’t see me in the same way? Wait. I don’t want to know the answer to that.
Maybe.
Hey, I’m going to give you my number. Service is spotty here.
A message comes across with his number, and I’m back to feeling like I’m floating.
I’m heading out to a club. Chat with you later.
I click on the number, saving it to my phone. I know he said he was going out, so maybe I should wait to text him. I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s nearly four here, which means it’s eleven there. I’ll text him after dinner, which should be long enough to not seem too clingy. I hope.
Dropping my phone, I fall back on my pillow with a smile on my face. Hans and I have known each
I stew on this until the grandfather clock in the foyer chimes six o’clock. We’re required to wear formal attire for dinner, so I change into a light pink gown and run a brush through my strawberry blonde hair. The platinum white strip that runs along my right temple stands out, but I barely notice it anymore. When I was little, I tried cutting the odd strand of hair only for it to slowly grow back. A nanny told me it was there because I was touched by an angel when I was a baby, and that made it somewhat bearable. Now it's just another reminder of how different I am from the rest of my family. God knows it’s been pointed out many times over the years as well as my other shortcomings.
I make my way to the dining room, taking my seat next to my mother. She gives me a tight smile before turning her attention to Aunt Maja, who is always seated next to her because of their closeness in age. That’s how it always goes. I’m ignored by everyone, and they purposely sit my cousin, Freja, as far away from me as possible so I have no one to talk to while I dine. At least back home, my seat is further away from my mother. Here, I’m close enough that she often turns her anger on me for no reason.
Grandmama arrives, and the room goes silent as we all stand until she takes her seat. Once she does, we sit too, and the servers enter with our first course. Our meals are always silent until Grandmama speaks. Sometimes she chooses not to, which makes the tedious meal seem even longer.
She finally puts down her spoon and says, “I’ve enjoyed my time in Angrboða, but I’ve decided it’s time for us to return to New York and show the world that we aren’t hiding.” She pauses. “I spoke with Selma earlier, but I want to tell you all about the decision I’ve made. Selma is to remarry. The contract will be signed when we return home.”
Aunt Maddi, the youngest aunt, gasps, gaining a glare from several people around the table. Grandmama can’t stand emotional outbursts, and some of my family members feel the same. I reach for my glass, taking a sip of wine. That’s why she slapped me earlier. Because I showed too much emotion. Sometimes I wonder what it’d be like to be in a normal family, where one can express themselves without being punished. But that’s like wondering what it would be like to live on another planet. Sure, it’s nice to dream about, but deep down you know it’ll never happen.
Helen—my least favorite cousin—asks, “When do we leave?”
Grandmama’s answer is quick and final. “Tomorrow.”
My chest is tight. There are so many things that I want to say, but don’t. I’ll just have to wait until after dinner and try to speak to my mother alone. Try being the keyword. Mother does everything she can to avoid me. If it weren’t for Grandmama, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I glance at her. I don’t trust my mother. I never have. Not since I was four. Even thinking about it now makes apprehension course through me.
The rest of the meal goes by torturously slow. When we’re finally dismissed, I touch my mother’s arm.
“Mother? Can I speak to you, please?”
She shakes her head. “I need to pack.”
“But—”
“I said not tonight, Anna.”
Sighing, I head to my room. I should probably pack, but I’m not in the mood. Not when I feel so… unsettled.
Grabbing my phone, I find Hans’ name and send him a text.
Hans
Hey, it’s Anna. How’s the club?
Anna?
Ouch.
Anna Aakre.
The club is fine, I suppose. Not as good as the ones in New York, but I’ll live.
That’s good. I guess we’re coming home tomorrow. My mother’s marriage contract is going to be signed when we return.
Oh? How do you feel about that?
I’m not sure…
You can trust me.
I stare at my phone, hope fluttering through me.
Do you mean that?
Sure.
I’m having a lot of feelings right now.
Give me your top 3.
Top 3, huh? Okay.
1. I’m worried that my mother doesn’t want to remarry but doesn’t want to disappoint Grandmama.
2. I also have to wonder what Grandmama has planned, ya know?
3. I’m a bit sad/angry, too. Like, I should be the next one getting married, but now it’s going to be pushed to the back burner because everything that this family does is big and grand.
Sounds like your third reason is the actual issue.
Maybe.
Want my thoughts on it?
Sure.
Your grandmother was in charge for a long time, so she knows what she’s doing.
You’re probably right there.
As for marrying you off, who would you want to marry?
I look at the screen. Dare I tell him? I type out a reply before deleting it. No! I can’t just outright tell him I have a crush on him. Can I?
I haven’t given it much thought.
Hmm. Why do I feel you’re lying to me?
You really want to know?
Yes.
I’ve always had a bit of a crush on you.
Me?
Yeah.
I wait for him to reply, but he doesn’t. My face flames.
Did I scare you off?
No, just thinking.
About?
About a lot of things.
Come on, you have to give me more than that. I just told you I have a crush on you.
Okay, I was thinking about one of the first times I noticed you.
Care to elaborate?
It was at one of your Grandmother’s holiday parties. You had just turned eighteen, and you were dancing for everyone.
