MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 19

Vince’s POV

Silicone Mafias. And Carter?

What the hell is she talking about?

I don't know who Carter is, but I know the Silicone Mafias are the same set of people Fernando and I have been on their trail for years.
 
How did she know about them?

When the thought of Ann being a spy strikes again, I ball my fist in frustration.

Could she be?

No ordinary person can know about the Silicone Mafias. They are not even recognized. They began as a small criminal organization, disguising their actions as good deeds and portraying individuals like us as the bad guys.

People in my world are the only ones who know about them. They tried eliminating every head, including Dominic and me, some years ago.

All their plans failed.

I turn away from the door and bring out my phone to call Dominic. He picks at the first ring.

“Does the name Carter from the Silicone Mafia ring any better?”

He remains silent from the other end before answering. “No.”

“Is everything okay?”

“No!” I say briskly. “I need to know who Carter is. Can you do some findings? I believe he has a relationship with the Silicones.”

“Ok. I heard you took the Albanians out already. Congrats.”

“Words travel fast.”
“Yeah.”
“Get me any information on this so-called Carter, can you? I'm going to call you back at exactly 9:50, okay?”

“Sure,” he mutters. Before I can disconnect the call, he shouts. “Wait.”

“Carter? I stumbled upon that name once. The guy helping the Silicones transport weapons from China, isn't he the one?”

“I don't know, that's why I am asking you. Get to work.”

“I'm on it, Vince. Just wait a second.” He mumbles, and I stop walking when I sense the urgency in his voice.

“I was right,” he says, making me take the phone away as a message ding.

Shock replaces the curiosity and confusion as I stare at the picture in front of me. Carter Salvatore.

The same guy I killed days ago. The same guy who almost raped Ann the night I rescued her.

“There you have it, Vince. Let me know if you need any more help,” Dominic utters quickly before disconnecting the call.

I blink again.

Carter. Ann. Spy.

If Carter is working for the Silicones, does that mean his father is too? Does this mean Ann is truly a spy like Fernando assumed?

Carter is her stepbrother.

Perhaps she is here to get information for her stepfather so that he can give it to the Silicones.

Rage bubbles inside of me, making me whirl around and stalk back to the room where Tessa and Ann are already laughing at something.

The moment I burst in, they stop laughing and stare at me with confusion.

With my temper spiraling out of control, I clench my fist and demand. “Who the hell is Carter, and how did you know the Silicones?”

Confusion spreads over her face, and I almost laugh out loud at the fake pretense. I can't believe I almost vouched for her when Fernando assumed she was a spy. I can't believe I trusted her.

In the 30 years of my existence, Ann will be the first woman I trusted. She was the first woman I willingly brought into my home. She is also the first woman with whom I feel comfortable.

I can't believe she is throwing that all away. I can't believe I fell for that silly coincidence. It makes me look stupid right now.

“Annette, answer my question. How the hell did you know about the Silicone?” I bark out authoritatively, making her jerk back, and Tessa steps away from the bed in fright.

I ignore her. I don't have any business with Teresa. The one I have problems with is Ann.

“I…I…don't know what you are talking about…”

“Stop with the pretense. You just mentioned Carter in your conversation with Tessa, didn't you?”

“Yes, but that has nothing to do with you…”

“Of course it does. You are a spy, aren't you?”

“What?!” Disbelief crosses her expression. “Of course not.”

“Then tell me why and how you know about the Silicone Mafias,” I insist, charging forward with pure rage.

If this is true, I don't know how to punish her. This betrayal makes my heart jolt repeatedly with panic.

She darts her eyes away, making my thoughts about her being a spy more real. Before she can speak, Tessa beats her to it.

“Ann left home because of them,” she mentions, making me shift my attention to her, curiosity setting in. “When Carter tried to rape Tessa, she told his father, but he wouldn't do a thing until she realizes he also wanted to have his way with her. Then she found out they were into the Mafia. Carter was helping the Silicone Mafias with weapons at first, but after a while, he joined them and made sure his father…”

“Tessa…” Ann cuts her short. I turn my attention to her. She is closing her eyes tightly, with her two hands trembling.

“He just called you a spy. He deserves to know none of this is coincidental. He deserves to know what your relationship with Carter was.” Tessa snaps.

Ann doesn't say anything, and Tessa looks up at me again.

I nod at her, urging her to continue. "Tessa found out and told her mom, but she didn't believe it until he started torturing her mom, at which point Tessa left home. It's a lot, really, but you can't just go around calling her a spy because you have your suspicions. Before you pulled off that stunt, I held you in high esteem. If you know who Ann really is, you would never let her go. That monster and his father turned her into this weak woman.”

The fact that she just called my display of anger a stunt stings, but I can't defend myself.

Ann’s eyes are still closed, reminding me of how vulnerable and miserable she was that night at the hotel.

Apparently, she is still traumatized by all of that. For a brief moment, I feel extremely glad I got rid of Carter. Not for being on the rival’s side but for turning her this way.

Tessa walks past me in anger and slams the door behind her, making Ann jolt upright and flutter her eyes open to see me still standing.
Her eyes darken with remembered pain, letting guilt flood through me.

We watch each other for a while. I wonder what must be going through her head. I am uncertain as to whether she will harbor animosity toward me, given the actions I just committed.

I have always had good judgment of people. Until Fernando's statement and her mention of the Silicones, I had never questioned Ann's goodness.

I know trustworthy people when I see them, and Ann is one of them.

Taking two long strides forward, I sit on the bed beside her, and she flinches. Instead of letting the hurt in my heart creep to every part of my system, I engulf her in a hug.

For the first time in years, I mutter. “I am sorry.”

She stiffens and suddenly pulls away, a tear dropping from her eyes.

“I'm so sorry I doubted you.” No words can justify my actions. Now, I seriously wish I could turn back the hands of the clock and act differently.

I usually don't harbor regrets. But this time, I do have a regret.

She lowers her head and refuses to say anything. I sit awkwardly beside her, thinking of what else to say and how best to say it.

Not only did I announce my real identity to her, I also showed her the side of me that everyone knows about. The side she has never seen before.

It must have been a lot.

That, as well as the remembrance of her past, must have a toll on her.

Just like how I promised to protect her with everything in me, I am willing to do all it takes to get rid of everyone who had a hand in hurting her in the past.

The soft touch of her hand on mine jerks me back to reality. “I…It's fine. I think I should just leave already. If you have doubts about me, it's going to be a huge obstacle…”

“No!” Knowing where this is going, I interrupt her quickly. “You are going nowhere.”

She shuts her eyes briefly and opens them again. “You don't understand. I've never seen you like that before. Besides, I am tired of this whole charade. This thing between us isn't even real. I should go.”

“You are going nowhere, Ann,” I say with affirmation. “You are going to be right here by my side.”

“As what, huh? Your accidental bride? A woman pretending to be your wife is merely a facade.”

“As my Queen.” I pronounce suddenly, making her eyes grow huge on me.

Shock ripples through her expression, and her jaws drop slowly. “What?”

“I want you right next to me as my queen. My Mafia Queen."