Chapter 13 The Move
The car ride was quiet, my heart is beating faster than usual. I feel a strange heaviness settling in my chest, unsure what's next.
Carlos hasn’t said a thing yet and it’s scarring me. I kept wondering what he meant by “they want to attack me” I didn’t do anything nor do I even know anyone so who are they and why are they trying to hurt me?
The more I thought about it. The more I couldn’t make sense of it.
I turned my attention to Carlos, he was concentrated on the road, not even sparing a glance at me. Quietly I asked, "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere very far from home where you’d be safe." He replied
"Okay." I sighed heartily still thinking to myself, trying to figure out everything. After a moment I asked "What did you mean by I’m in danger? What kind of danger?"
"The kind that kills." He replied casually
I felt my heart drop immediately. "W…what do you mean?"
He glanced at me and said, "You should know what I mean."
"No, I don’t. I mean, I don’t even know anyone. I’ve never hurt anyone so why do they want to hurt me?"
"You are so naive Nala," He scoffed "You don’t need to hurt or know anyone before they want to hurt you."
He’s ridge but still, it doesn’t make any sense. I replied, "Yes but I’m basically an invisible girl, I don’t go anywhere, I don’t talk to anyone so how did they even know me?"
"Just because you think you are invisible
doesn’t mean no one sees you. Besides, a lot of people know you Nala, you just don’t know yet." He casually said
"What do you mean by that?"
He glanced at me briefly and then turned his attention to the road "There’s a lot you don’t know about yourself and I can’t tell you right now."
I didn’t know what he meant by that, but somehow it scared me. My instincts screamed that something wasn’t right, even if I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
The only people who really know me are Fiona and Richard, and they would never do anything like this. They’re not capable of it. So then… who were those people Carlos was talking about?
I glanced over at him. His eyes were locked on the road, jaw tight, fingers gripping the wheel too hard. Something about him didn’t sit right with me. His silence felt calculated. Controlled. I didn’t trust him.
"I don’t get it," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "They want to hurt me but not Papa? That doesn’t make any sense. I mean… I’m not even part of the mafia, so why me?"
"It’s complicated. I can’t explain it to you right now," He said.
"You can’t explain, or you don’t want to?" I shot back. "Because none of this makes sense to me."
He let out a long, frustrated breath and kept his eyes on the road. Without answering, he reached for the radio and turned up the volume, clearly trying to drown out my voice and my questions.
That only made me angrier. It deepened my doubts. This man had forced me into marriage, and now suddenly I was supposed to believe he was trying to protect me?
"Are you lying to me?" I asked, my voice sharp.
He groaned, clearly irritated. "Why would I lie to you?"
"Because you’re saying I’m in danger, but I don’t see any danger. None of this adds up."
"Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t real," He snapped, still staring ahead.
"I still don’t understand. And honestly, I think you’re lying."
The car came to an abrupt stop. He turned to me slowly, his eyes cold and unreadable.
"I don’t lie," He said through clenched teeth.
I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off before I could get a word out.
"I said I don’t lie. Do you understand me?"
His voice was rough, intense, and it sent a chill down my spine. I nodded quickly, fear tightening in my chest. "Yes," I whispered.
"Good," He said, his voice low now. He reached for the key to start the engine again but paused. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he added "I’m only trying to protect you, Nala." He said. "And whether you like it or not, I will protect you."
"From what exactly?" I asked quietly
"Dangerous people."
"What kind of dangerous people? I don’t know why dangerous people."
As if frustrated, he groaned "You don’t need to know any dangerous people before they try to attack you."
"But—" I started, but he cut me off sharply.
"Don’t challenge me," He said, his voice tight, trying to keep control. "It’s already bad enough that you think I’m lying. Don’t push it by questioning every word I say."
He was trying to stay calm, but I could feel the storm brewing beneath the surface. And I wasn’t convinced so I pressed further "It still doesn’t feel right to me," I said, my voice quieter but firm. "I don’t see any danger."
His grip tightened on the steering wheel before he turned toward me again. "I said you’re in danger," He growled. "And when I say that, you’re supposed to believe me. I am your husband. I am the one protecting you. My word should be enough."
I swallowed hard and gave a small nod, my voice caught in my throat.
He turned away from me, started the engine, and pulled back onto the road. The rest of the drive was silent and tense. He didn’t say a word, and I didn’t dare break the quiet.
After what felt like forever, the car slowed as we approached a remote villa surrounded by thick trees. There were no neighbors in sight, only guards stationed at various points.
He parked in front of the villa. We stepped out, and I looked around, taking in the place more carefully. It was beautiful but haunting in a way I couldn’t quite explain.
"Where are we?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"This is your new home. You’ll be living here from now on," He said.
I turned to him, stunned, but he didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he took my hand and led me toward the front door.
As we stepped inside, the chill of the place hit me immediately. The villa’s interior was sleek and modern, but it lacked warmth—like a beautiful cage.
"This is the safest place for you," Carlos said. "Don’t worry. You’ll have everything you need here."
"My phone," I said suddenly. "I left it back at the mansion."
He glanced at me, then smirked. "Even better. I don’t want you contacting anyone outside of here."
My eyes widened. I stared at him, unsure whether to be angry or afraid.
He smiled softly, almost convincingly. "I’m doing this for your safety."
Maybe he means that. Maybe he wants me to believe that but deep down, something didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like protection, it felt like a trap.