Chapter 104: Chapter: 104

ANDREA

I climbed up the bed and curled into a fetal position; my thoughts were all over the place. I felt overwhelmed and helpless, as everything that happened tonight replayed in my mind, my body trembling with the shock of witnessing three men killed right in front of me, though it wasn't the first time.

It took me by surprise. I could still feel the hot spray of blood on my face. My chest and throat hurt. It was like a huge lump was lodged in my throat, and the only way to get it out was to cry my heart out.

But I wouldn't let the tears out. I kept blinking, swallowing back the tears. Inside, I was torn, conflicted between my love for Alessandro and my fear of what might happen next. I wish I could understand it all myself. There's pain, fear, anger, hate, and so much more.

Hours ago, I had been happy, curled into Alessandro as we lazed in bed after the amazing morning we had. We hadn't left the master stateroom on the yacht; lunch had been brought to us there—that was until the terrible news of Lexi's death came through, ruining what could have been a perfect day for me.

Sometime later, which felt like forever to me, the shock finally wore off, and my heartbeat and trembling body were back to normal. I rubbed the back of my hand on my face, trying to smooth back my hair. I was surprised when my hand came away with something red.

Then I remember I was literally half covered in blood. A man's blood, who was alive and healthy a moment ago, is now dead—killed by Valentina, Alessandro's would-be wife.

These people have no regard for human life; death is nothing to them. They could take your life so easily, like it was nothing. I quickly got out of bed and hurried into the adjoining bathroom.

Then I turn on the shower without bothering to strip off my clothes, warm water sluices down my body, turning the liquid into a pink stream, trickling down the tile floor and down the drain.

I stripped out of my dress, scrubbed as hard as I could, washing all the blood away as silent tears merged with the water beating down on me.

By the time I got out of the bathroom and walked into the bedroom, I had cried a gallon and felt utterly exhausted, overwhelmed by everything I had endured, and curled up under the sheets to sleep.

The next morning, when I woke, I was surprised to find myself in Alessandro's massive dark room.

I didn't need to ask who brought me back, though he wasn't in the room. I was sure Alessandro was the one who had brought me back here.

Just yesterday morning, I was happy, curled into Alessandro as we lazed in bed after the amazing morning we had. I believed in us, in our future together, and in the tiny hope that our love could survive all this chaos—me, Alessandro, and our baby.

But now, I wonder if that hope is just a fragile dream. Alessandro and I are from different worlds-his dark, violent, and layered, and mine, an ordinary young woman who just wants a peaceful life.

I realize how fragile that peace is, knowing the dangerous people he's involved with and the threats that loom over us all.

I realize now that though Alessandro is a man not to be trifled with, his grandfather is an entirely different breed of monster who would use the people around him to hurt him all to get what he wants.

And Alessandro would not take that lying down. My conclusion: shit is about to hit the fan.

I don't want to witness more violence, and I sure as fuck don't want my child to grow up in this kind of environment, where he'll be forced to either kill or be killed to survive.

I don't want to depend on Alessandro anymore. I don't want to be a burden on his shoulders, used against him at every turn. I'm going to have to find a way to protect me and my child and maybe protect Alessandro, too.

That morning, after my shower and breakfast. Patrizio came with an order from the Don for me to meet him downstairs.

Of course, I had no choice but to follow Patrizio. As I stood in front of Don Marchetti, speaking on the phone in the same room where I'd met him a week ago—waiting for him to finish his call.

My heart pounded with trepidation, wondering why in God's name he'd asked for me.

“Andrea, you're here. Please sit down.” Don Marchetti's voice snapped me out of my head. I didn't even notice he'd finished with his phone. I quietly sat down, trying so hard not to fidget and failing.

He was watching me with cold, blank eyes. There was nothing there to help me understand the purpose of his summoning me.

“Patrizio, have someone bring us some tea and cookies,” he ordered, his wrinkled hands folded on the table in front of him. He was dressed in a white three-piece suit and a white fedora. Sitting in his wheelchair as though he were a harmless old man.

“Si, Don.”

I watched the guard walk out of the room, then swallow hard. And folded my trembling hands on my thigh. Trying hard not to show how nervous and scared I was of the man in front of me. I have got to be brave. I thought.

“How are you, Andrea?”

“I'm okay. Why do you want to see me?” I muttered, not wanting to listen to his little chit chat as if we were longtime friends, not a mafia boss and his captive. I was grateful that I didn't stutter; my voice came out strong. Don smiled that familiar smile I used to think was kind, but now realized was crooked and kinda frightening.

“I miss our talks. We used to talk about everything, though our situation has changed, we can still behave in a friendly manner towards each other. We're practically all family now. You are carrying my great-grandchild. But yes, there's another reason I ask you to meet me,” he said, watching me, his fingers drumming on the table, then stopped.

“I really want to help you, Andrea, for old time's sake. You are a nice girl, innocent too. I want you to go back to the state after all this is over and live a peaceful life. You are not meant for this world. As you've already witnessed, our world is filled with blood and violence. That's one of the reasons I could never allow your marriage to Alessandro,” he paused.

Patrizio strode in, Zetta following closely behind, carrying a tray with two cups of tea. She placed one of the cups in front of her boss after she greeted him, then placed one in front of me, flashing me a soft smile. I nod my thanks to her.

“He needs a woman who understands our world, who knows the rules. He doesn't understand why I'm doing this now, but he will. As I'm a fair man, I'm going to help you. I just need your cooperation. I'm willing to let you go and leave your family and friends alone. I'm also willing to support you financially after you deliver so you can begin a new chapter of your life back in your country,” Don continued.

“Thank you, Zetta,” he said dismissively after she placed two plates of pastries on the table. She quietly walked out, hugging the tray to her body. I glanced up at Patrizio, who stood tall and menacing behind his boss.

“And my baby?” I asked, the most important thing in my heart then, my voice barely more than a whisper. I didn't care about his money or whatever he was offering. His dark brown eyes became deceptively soft and sympathetic. He was acting a role, thinking me the fool I was weeks ago.

“Valentina, as Alessandro's wife, will of course take care of his son or daughter. Your child will be in good care and will lack for nothing. I'm even willing to let you see them as they grow.”

“You will let me visit?”

“I will send you pictures every year, so you know they are okay.” How magnanimous of him!

“What do you want in exchange for that?” Surely, there's a catch for all this. I was shaking with so much anger, so much rage; it was a wonder it didn't show on my face. I wish I could cross over the table and slap the daylight out of his old face without any backlash.

But I know I won't survive it. What I was more afraid of was him retaliating against the innocent, namely Alice, Beth, and the rest.

This monster wants not only to take my child away but to hand it over to another monster. Over my cold, dead body will I let Valentina, that murderer, raise my child.

But I didn't say that, I couldn't. One thing that is clear as day is that I can no longer stay here.

“Firstly, you will keep your distance away from Alessandro; believe me, this is in your own interest. Their marriage is in six weeks, and Valentina is a vicious woman; she knows that you are pregnant with Alessandro's son and has even accepted it as long as your affair doesn't go on. Secondly, I want you to keep this conversation a secret between us.” I could only nod.

Well, what else can I do?

“You can go back to your room now.” With that dismissal, I walked out and headed back to my old room, my brain bursting with so many thoughts.

Throughout the day and night, I didn't see Alessandro. That night I slept in my old room. Alessandro didn't smuggle me back to his room again.

I had just come back into the room after my shower when a wrapped package that was left at the bedside table caught my eye. I was sure it wasn't there when I woke up or before I entered the bathroom. I sat on the bed, unwrapped and opened the box. Inside, there's a burner phone.

My head whipped up checking the room, as I wondered who had left me a phone. I took the box, strode into the bathroom, closed the door, then switched on the phone. The instant it came on, a text came through.

A: I'm going to be busy for a while. I will explain everything at the right time. Trust me and take care of yourself. I blink, reading the text again. Just then, another text came through.

A: Hide the phone somewhere safe. Do not call or text anyone except Dr. Emilia, and only when it's absolutely necessary.

A small part of me wants so badly to let Alessandro handle everything, protect my friends and me from his grandfather. I've known that Alessandro might not want me to do anything that would put my life or our baby's in danger. But I've got to help him. I've got to fight for myself and the unborn child inside me before it's too late and I'm too heavy and far along to be able to do anything.

If I wait longer for a few months, I'm going to be heavily pregnant. Escaping would be difficult then. I did exactly as Alessandro said and hid the phone inside one of the shoe boxes in the closet.

Though I desperately wanted to call him to ask him what the hell was going on? I restrain that urge and follow his advice. I don't know who might be listening, and the phone is a blessing in disguise. It would come in handy for my plans.

As the days flew by, seeing Alessandro became difficult. He's always busy working, coming back to the villa late into the night. Sometimes I only see him when he's back or when he's about to leave. And today it's been three days since he traveled to God knows where. He'd stopped coming for me.

With his busy schedule, taking care of the Marchetti famiglia businesses. It wasn't hard for us to miss each other. I could count on one hand how many times I've seen him in these past weeks.

And with each day that passes, his marriage to Valentina draws nearer. Just thinking about it makes nausea curdle in my stomach. I'm not going to witness that; I will be long gone by then.

The following days were spent in my room thinking or in the kitchen with Zetta and Giulia, who shared interesting stories that helped distract me.

Sometimes Lorenzo would take me out for a walk whenever he wasn't out on his mafia business. His leg had healed, though not completely. We've surprisingly gotten closer over the past few weeks.

I try as much as I can to avoid seeing Don Marchetti when he's downstairs in the main living room or around the house. I don't go down. I don't want to see him at all, fortunately, since he called me to his office weeks ago.

I haven't seen him up close, only caught glimpses of him when he's going out. Though he doesn't venture out of the villa as much as Lorenzo does.

My pregnancy is coming along just fine, with a few new experiences. I sleep even more than I ever did. Not to mention my lack of appetite and anxiety. Which I've secretly told doctor Emilia about.

She'd prescribed me some pills, which I later found on my bedside table. I suspect Casio sneaked in and kept it there.

I've also started to show; anyone with eyes could see the small bulge in my middle. I'm four months pregnant now. I'm even moodier now. In truth, I don't know how to describe how I'm feeling; I just know I'm beyond heartbroken and miserable.

Alessandro came back today, and we all dined together with Don Marchetti. It was literal hell watching him with Valentina as they talked and laughed through dinner. A few times, his legs had bumped into mine.

But his attention and focus were entirely on the gorgeous, dark-haired beauty beside him. Afterward, they'd both left the dining room together. I felt like I was dying inside.

The next few days were no better. The woman always comes in the morning, and they would either leave together or stay and spend time around the villa.

Though every damn night I check my phone, I see a new text, just that one sentence. Trust me, I'm always yours!

I know he's trying to convey some kind of message, but it wasn't helping. Valentina is a beautiful woman with whom he has a history and is now engaged to. It was logical for me to be insecure and doubtful of him.

It's obvious Don Marchetti gets a kick out of my misery. Why else would he want me to stay and witness Alessandro marry another woman, instead of letting me go back to America? I don't know what Alessandro's plans are, and I don't even want to know right now. It's evidently clear he likes Valentina.

Otherwise, why would he be spending time with her, laughing and chatting with her, and is even now preparing to get married to her? I wish it didn't fucking hurt so much, watching the man you love with another woman is beyond heartbreaking.

If everything goes well, I wouldn't have to live in the same place with them and watch them begin a new life. It's going to be over soon, I thought. In a week or a month, I will be free, and my heart will be so much lighter.

I'm going to prioritize myself and my baby. Alessandro could take care of himself. He's been doing it just fine for years, and I'm sure it's not because my and our baby's lives are held over him. He would be able to handle his grandfather without holding back.