MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 18

Ann’s POV

The pieces began to fit together as he fluttered his eyes my way.

The tattoo.

The dark colored clothing.

The strange, intimidating men.

The numerous weapons and bodyguards.

Ryan and Isabel’s comment about how dangerous and mean he is.

Everything makes sense now.

I never thought that was it. I was only scared he was a killer. A ruthless killer or assassin.

But now, the realization dawning on me suddenly is even more scary.

I can't believe I have been sleeping in the same house, dining, and married to a Mafia.

The same type of people I used to dread ever crossing paths with. I can't believe this is happening.

When he moves closer, I almost scoot back in fright, but my whole body is in pain. I let out a wince, trying so hard to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

I can't believe this.

Vince and I are married, and he is a member of the Mafia. What does that make me?

I now regret my decision to ignore Ryan's advice. I regret why I didn't let him warn me thoroughly about Vince. I would probably have left his mansion the night of the party.

“You are a Mafia?” I find myself asking again, hoping I was wrong for the umpteenth time.

His silence is killing me.

He was always calm and caring with me. He was never harsh with me. Perhaps, that was why I never thought of him being in the Mafia.

Mafias are cold-hearted monsters.
 
Am I even safe with Vince?

“Yes,” the sudden reply hits me hard, making me gasp softly. “I am the head of…”

He pauses, staring at me before trying to touch me. I flinch.

The look of pain flashes across his face and disappears almost immediately.

“Why?!” I am on the verge of crying. “Why did you marry me?”

He didn't marry me. I did.

Rephrasing my sentence, I cry out. “Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let us get an annulment immediately? Why are you doing this? Who the hell are you, Vince?”

Before he can answer, a knock comes to the door, and I go still.

The trauma of all those near-rape incidents is still there. The pain of losing my ex-fiance is very much present, and now I have to tackle another trauma of almost being kidnapped and killed by Vince’s rival.

Can I even survive this?

If I leave him, will they still come for me? What if I stay back? Am I really safe?

The knock comes to the door again, and he mutters. “Come in.”

The door opens slightly, and a familiar face peeps in. Surprise flits across me as Tessa smiles brightly at me before rushing in.

She rushes toward me making me wrap my hands around her. A tear slides down my face.

When she disengages, I inquire. “What happened? Where have you been? How do you know I was here?”

I notice the sad smile etched on her beautiful face before she shifts her attention to Vince.

“Vince?” I ask, and she nods slowly. My heart begins to beat more rapidly. “What did he do? Did he hurt you?”

My concerned tone makes guilt run through my veins. Tessa shakes her head and laughs shortly. “He rescued me. He rescued us. He saved me, Maddy, and the other girls.”

I furrow my brows in total confusion. Before I can ask for further explanation, she starts to cry, hugging the living hell out of me and pinning me more firmly to the bed.

I try to sit up, and she gets the clue. Sitting upright, she helps me up. Vince moves to the exit without a word and disappears.

I scan Tessa's face and body for signs of bruises, but there are none.

“What do you mean by rescue? Vince rescued you?” I ask out of pure curiosity.

She nods vigorously. “Yes, he did. I don't know how it happened but I found myself in a strange room with other girls. The last thing I remembered was taking a cab. We were made to strip dance for a while. They were about to sell us off to some men when he suddenly appeared and saved us. I…I…”

“Oh my God!” I clamp my hand over my mouth. “Are you okay? Did something else happen?”

She shakes her head without a reply.

Tessa is a carefree girl. I had always envied her for her nature. For me, I always had one thing or the other to worry about.

But seeing Tessa in this state makes me feel awful and sad. She must have been so scared.

I wonder what would have happened if Vince wasn't quick enough to get her.

Without further words, we hug each other tightly. When a tear slips down my cheek, I wipe it off immediately.

This is the time to be strong. Not breaking down.

“Is he the man you are married to?” Tessa asks, glancing back at the exit he's taken.

I nod.

“I was so relieved when he told me you asked him to get me. I had lost all hope of making it out. I'm just glad I am here now.”

I nod again.

“You don't look happy. What happened? How did you end up here? Are you okay?” Her eyes are no longer filled with the fears I once saw, now filled with worry for me.

I try to smile, but it falters. I can't ignore the pain in my heart. I feel betrayed by Vince. From the very first day we met, he ought to have told me who he was.

I asked him to tell me about himself, and he never said a word about the Mafia. It looks like he was hiding his identity intentionally.

“Ann?”

“I…I was attacked by some unknown men…”

I shut my eyes, wanting to wave away all the scenes racing through my head once again.

I don't think I can survive another traumatic incident. This can't happen again.

“What?! How?!”

“I wanted to get some air. I was so worried about you, and I couldn't sit still, so I decided to go out.”

“But why you? You know no one here except for Ryan,” she mentions as her eyes bulge open before she gasps loudly. “Was it Ryan? Does he want to get rid of you to make it simple to marry someone else?”

I shake my head. I can't believe I wish that was the case, but it isn't.

“Do you know them then? We should go to the police station and leave a report so they can…”

“It's Vince’s…” I cut her short and closed my eyes tightly to let everything sink in fully. It still feels unbelievable, just like a dream. “I think it's Vince's rivals.”

“Rivals?” Confusion fills her expression. “What rivals?”

I watch her for a second before announcing. "Do you recall the same tattoo that the Silicone Mafias you mentioned have on their wrists?"

She looks thoughtful for a while, as if to recall very well. Then she nods intermittently.

“The man who attacked me has the same tattoo over his wrist and Vince also has something similar over his chest.”

“What?!” She exclaims loudly in disbelief.

“Yes, he is into the Mafia, just like Carter's dad,” I reply, noticing how my hands are trembling so hard before I break down into tears.

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