MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 12

Vince’s POV

Marco doesn't show any disapproval or displeasure about my announcement. Instead, he has a huge smile on his face.

The exact type of smile a father would have on his face when his son brings home a trophy or massive business deals.

It makes me uncomfortable for no reason.

Marco and I never spoke about the arrangement between Isabel and this. At this point, I believe we would never breach that topic.

Only Marco gives me orders and expects me to comply.

But I know Marco would never order me to marry his granddaughter. He wouldn't take advantage of the respect I have for him.

Marco Espinoza shares a relation with my mother. More reason why Isabel Espinoza is her first choice.

For the first time, I am in the public eye with a woman. Not just publicly seen, but intimately close.

I am exposing Ann to a new life. This new life may be dangerous, but I intend to prepare her for it.

I won't have any problems dealing with or controlling her, unlike being married to one of those spoiled brats.

Ann and I would share an understanding and be cooperative with each other, unless, of course, Fernando is right with his assertions about Ann being a spy.

I have my ways of finding things, and it will take less than a day to find out the whole truth about Ann and who she really is.

“I guess this is the best farewell gift ever, son.” Marco rises and opens his arm for an embrace.

I stare at him for a minute before walking forward to embrace him. This might be the last time we see each other.

Marco is leaving America. This is a farewell party for his departure. He's been a wonderful man. A great tool for the family.

“I need to meet this woman who stole that stone heart of yours,” he chuckles softly as we walk to the door.

The living room is already booming with music, and I look around for Ann.

She is nowhere to be found.

Instead, I find Mother and Isabel at the same spot where I left Ann. I fish out my phone while on the staircase to give Lucas a call.

“Is Ann in the car?” I question him as soon as he picks up.

“No, boss.”

Where could she be?

My eyes instantly lock with James from across the room, and he signals to me towards the rest room downstairs.

I nod and head to the landing, where I see Mom walking towards me. Instead of waiting, I continue to walk towards the restroom.

Marco is going to announce my wedding to everyone. Ann also needs to be present before the announcement.

As soon as I turn into the hallway, I see a man holding tightly onto a woman, whom I recognized to be Ann because of the familiar sexy dress she has on.

She seems to be struggling with him, and I find myself stalking over with a balled fist. Without warning, I throw a punch to the man’s jaw, and he falls to the ground.

I grab Ann’s hand as I grit my teeth in rage. “How dare you touch my wife?”

“Vince.” Ann’s soft voice reaches my ears. “I'm fine. He didn't hurt me.”

Her defensive tone makes me stare at her. Her eyes are teary, making me turn to the man again.

Who the hell is he?

Before I can punch him again or ask Ann any questions, she pulls me back to the party.

Marco is already speaking at the podium, but my mind is far from his speech until he announces my marriage to Ann.

Loud gasps and murmurs fill the air. People begin to clap and move closer to congratulate us.

Ann manages to plaster a smile on her face all the way until music fills the air again, and I stretch a hand towards her.

“Let's dance.”

On the dance floor, Marco is dancing with my mother, and she is glaring at me behind his back. I have a feeling Marco is trying to convince her not to talk about the arrangement anymore, but I don't care whether she listens or not.

Fernando is on the dance floor with Isabel. She is avoiding my gaze.

The same way Ann is avoiding staring at me

“Are you ok?” I demand with concern.

Finally, she looks up and nods. “Yes, I am fine.”

Everything about me has changed since I met Ann.

Before I met her, I never bothered about parties, no matter who was involved. I never danced at a party. And I never cared about anyone else but myself and the priesthood.

I care less for my mother because she can protect herself.

But the priesthood meant a lot to me because of what bound us together.

But now, I find myself caring for Ann more than anyone else. I find myself dancing with her on the dance floor on a Tuesday evening, without exchanging a single word with my mother.

Is this really about spitting on my mother? What hold did Ann really have on me?

“Who was that?” I ask again, this time with curiosity. The party is exclusively between the Mafia families. Who the hell has the right to touch my woman here?

After a moment of hesitation, she mutters. “Ryan.”

I stop dead. “What?!”

Realizing we are in the midst of curious people, wanting to know if this is a love match or one of those silly arranged marriages common with the family, I continue dancing.

“Ryan? Your ex?!” She nods with a sad smile.

“You have nothing to worry about. I told him off.”

I am not bothered about that. I am bothered by why he is here. Is he related to any of the families?

I glance up, and I see him across from me, with a glare, dancing with a woman. I can't see her face properly until she halts and waves at Isabel.

Then it hits.

Clara.

Fernando mentioned that Clara was getting married to Ryan in two weeks. I was wondering who Ryan was, and now I get it.

I have never met Ryan, but I guess it is because I barely attended any of the parties.

So Ryan left Ann to marry Clara? According to Fernando, it was an arranged marriage.

Clara's father works alongside Dominic and Fernando. Who is Ryan, and who is his father in this world?

“I will never go back to that jerk, no matter what.” Her comments bring me back to life.

“Why?”

She seems surprised by my question. I won't stop her if she wants to get back with him, but from what I have seen tonight, I would never allow it either.

“Vince, can we go home already? I feel out of place here. I…I…met with your mom earlier too, and Isabel…I….”

“What did they tell you?” Fear registers on my face, I am sure of that. Did they explain to her what we do?

“Nothing really.”

I almost let out a sigh of relief before the realization hit me. I keep postponing telling Ann what I do. I keep postponing telling her what kind of world I have just exposed her to.

Why I am too scared to tell her is what bothers me. I am never scared of anything, not even a fight with my rivals. I can't believe that something as simple as revealing my identity can be so frightening.

Suddenly, she looks pale, so I stop. When I look around, I see people staring and murmuring.

Without thinking of what I am about to do, I lift her jaw with a tip of my finger, peck her forehead to give a clue about what I will do in the next second.

Her eyes widen a bit, but I close them up with my frame before taking her lips, with my arms wrapping around her lower back.

Her mouth is still on mine, reminding me of the contrasting event of how she kissed me silly the day we accidentally got married.

She kissed me like her life depended on it, and for a moment, I wish she could do the same now.

I tug her body against my solid chest, tasting every inch of her until she lets out a moan, and then I stop.

I flutter my eyes open to see her eyes tightly closed. Leaning down, I whisper. “Let's go home.”