MARRIED ACCIDENTALLY

CHAPTER 20

Ann’s POV

My breath catches in my throat when I fling the door open to see Vince standing by the door.

Our gaze meets for a second before he looks away. I shut my eyes, imagining what the words “Mafia Boss” and a Mafia Queen really meant. But all I can see is Vicente and I killing people.

If I ran away from home to be far from the world my stepfather was offering my mother and me, why should I take Vicente’s offer when I know the risk?

My life is at stake. I am not his queen yet, but I am already a target. Even if I want to leave, the fear gnawing at my heart won't let me.

I feel watched. I feel unsafe.

“Are you okay?” His soft, concerned tone makes me snap my eyes open. There are worried creases on his brow.

It makes me wonder why he shows this much concern to me when his personality is obviously the opposite.

I know how Carter and Dante used to behave towards my mother and me. We were like pawns. He treated us well in front of others, but he treated us poorly once we entered his home.

I expect Vicente to do the same, but he is different.

He acts really nice towards me outside, which is absolutely normal and expected since he wants people to assume we were madly in love with each other.

But indoors, he acts the same way.

He doesn't mistreat me. Is there anything more to what he is asking of me?

“You look pale,” he mutters, pushing his way in. Out of the strength to argue, I let him in before closing the door.

My things are already in his bedroom, but I can't bring myself to go in there and be calm without thinking of my discoveries within a few hours.

I don't know what exactly to make of all of this knowledge. It is making me helpless and more pitiful.

I have little reason to stay back. Ryan is finally out of my life, but I can't bring myself to leave.

After he told me to be his queen, I was bent on coming back home and packing my things to leave without his knowledge.

But I can't bring myself to do that. I can't even bring myself to enter his room.

Wait, did I just say home?

It's barely been a month, and I'm already attached to all of them?

Tessa tried to convince me otherwise, but I know well enough that she isn't the one stopping me. Something else is preventing me from leaving.

Also, where do I have to go?

Is it possible for Dante to find me in New York now that Carter is aware of my location?

The thought of Dante makes me wonder how mom is. Even though she wants me to hate her and never contact her, she is still my mother, and I think of her in moments like this.

Moments like this are when I feel like there is no one around me. No one to talk to freely. No one to confide in.

Tessa is still traumatized by the kidnapping. She barely spoke a word on our way back to the mansion, except for asking me not to make any rash decisions yet.

She knows the risk as much as I do.

“Ann?”

“Vince, I am fine, ok?” The concern in his tone is making me feel sick already. And more pathetic.

He nods and stands awkwardly in front of me. My eyes burn from unshed tears. My legs are trembling, so I walk past him to sit down.

This is not what I signed up for.

First, it was winning my ex-fiance back. Then it was staying in an accidental marriage to win him back, and now this?

A Mafia Queen?

What will happen to the union between us, then? Are we meant to be married forever when we don't even love each other? Is this what Vince is proposing?

For a moment, I want to call him a selfless, egoistic man. But he hasn't done anything wrong to me. His wrong is just being into the Mafia.

Vince moves towards me and sits right next to me on the edge of the bed. The action makes me look up at him.

For the first time since we have met, I see him smiling.

A smile that is genuine. That reaches his eyes. A smile of consolation. And encouragement. A smile filled with many unspoken words.

His ocean blue eyes are captivating. The smile tugging on his lips makes me feel drawn to him but I ignore the temptation to fall into his arms and cry it all out.

Cry out all the pent-up frustration. The pent-up anger. The sadness lurked in my heart for years.

The words I have refused to say to anyone.

Without a word, I dart my eyes away quickly.

I expect Vince to say something, but he isn't saying anything, reminding me of one thing I know so well about him.

He talks less. He is terrible at showing emotions too.

“I…I can't be your queen or whatever it is you want from me,” I start, pushing back the tears that threaten to fall. “I don't want this life. If I don't want to go ahead with my plans, I should go.”

I don't want to go either. I am damn scared of leaving. But I have my pride as a woman. I will hold on to that pride till my last breath.

He doesn't say a word, making me stare up in curiosity. The smile on his face is no longer there. That serious, cold expression of his has replaced the smile.

Suddenly, a dart of confusion clouds his eyes, surprising me.

Did I just catch a glimpse of an emotion?

He smiled at me, and now he looks confused. Am I hurting him with my words?

“What are you scared of?” The sound of his icy question sends a wave of chill down my spine.

I shake my head. “I am not scared of anything. I just don't want this…this life.”

He continues to watch me before glancing down at my trembling hands.

Shit!

“What is this life you do not want?” He asks again, but I am speechless. “What type of life do you want then?”

That I can answer.

I have always dreamt of a life filled with nothing but laughter, peace, and happiness with the man I love.

I've lost the man I love to another woman, and I'm uncertain about regaining my ideal life.

“I…I… don't want to go out and be scared of being attacked like I was today. What if I was kidnapped? What if the guards couldn't reach me quickly enough to prevent the kidnapping? What if I wasn't…” His hands clamp mine, sending a thrill up my spine and a shut-up signal to my running mouth.

When he glances up and signals to me to continue, my mouth automatically closes.

How can I continue ranting with this close proximity? Why does he keep touching me this way?

"A Mafia Queen is more than just a name. She is capable of defending herself when something arises. When you become one, people will be scared and wary of you, not otherwise. No one dares touch a hair on you. Whoever does will be condemned to death. So tell me what else you are scared of.”

Vince hasn't spoken to me that long since we met. The words spill out of his mouth effortlessly, and with venom.

I will protect you, just as I vowed to do when we got married. With my life. Nothing is going to happen to you. Aside from that, I already know you. I can see beyond your physical stare. I know you can be fiery with people when you want to. You are not a woman who gives up easily. So what do you say?”

“What..what do you mean?” I stutter carelessly, feeling stupid for doing so in his presence.

He doesn't seem to mind because he smiles again, this time more wide, making my heart pound so hard against my ribs.

“I saw you in action….”

Confusion skates my expression. “What?!”

“There was a camera in that hotel room that night. I dispatched some of my men to go get some information we could use to capture him. We didn't, but we got something significant . I saw it all—the way you struggled with him, defended yourself, and ripped away his mask. That is a commendable trait for a Mafia Queen. You have the basic fighting skills already, but with enough training and practice, I am sure you will do well.”

Everything he is saying is sinking in, but only one thing catches my attention.

The camera.

That was the same room Ryan and I spent the night in before he broke up with me. How could a camera be in the bathroom?

“Are you in?” His question jolts me upright as the scenes of that night begin to flash through my mind.

If I become his queen, can I get my revenge back on Carter? If I become his queen, will Ryan regret his decision to let go of me? If I become his queen, will I be fearless enough to go back and rescue my mother? If I become his queen, will I be confident enough to drive a bullet into that bastard I called a stepfather?

Taking a shallow breath, I moistened my lips and shut my eyes.

Vince and I met coincidentally. That must be for a reason. If I don't do it for anything else, I must do it for my mother.

If she dies in Dante’s hands, I will never forgive myself. It is time to go back home and right our wrongs.

With my eyes still closed, unable to open and see his reaction, I mutter quickly. “I will.”