Chapter 80 Duante's POV

Chapter 80 Duante's POV

I glared at the message from him. My lips tightened in anger.

Soon, I am going to face him. I would love to see him whitening in dread. I doubted him the day he told me that Sofia wasn't returning his calls and messages. I ordered Drake to work on it immediately. Then everything was clear to me. Uncle requested Aaron to rescue me the day Andrew planted a bomb in my private plane. Aaron was my cousin and the boss from Mexico. He was true to me and met me as soon as he could. I wouldn't blame my uncle but he should trust me. He wasn't my favourite person but I respect him and care for him as a family member. We weren't ever close enough to share such secrets. He considered me dead. Let the guilt eat him from inside.

I reread the message. His son was on the top of my killing-list. Antonio also wanted to kill him. I wanted to be wrong about him. His daughter was safe now. But he didn't need to know. When I met him, he was going to answer my questions.

I pushed my phone on the nightstand not bothering to answer him right away. My gaze turned to my side. My heart beat was louder in my head. I let out a long sigh. Her arm tightened around my waist. Her stomach was pressed to my side.

I wanted to end this in a few days but it took months. My wife was a little weird particularly her mood swings, her tears were always on bay to spill. This was the only way to escape from her questions by lying to her about my memory. Her happiness, her safety was essential now. She wouldn't understand if I told her, she'd jump in trouble to sort it. That was on my forbidden list.

I leaned in and pressed my lips on her puffy cheek. She was more beautiful and more glowing these days. Lightly, I put my hand on the side of her stomach. I was scared to hurt her. I did it. I had lied to her. I could endure her anger.

I brushed my fingers before pulling them away.

I slid out of the bed carefully not waking her up. The soft rise and fall of her chest was showing she was still sleeping.

I twisted the knob. I strode out of the door, closing it softly behind me. My gaze met with Drake's. He was on his feet and looked over my shoulder.

"Is ma'am okay, boss?" He looked hesitant. My rude behaviour for her set their minds in doubt. They all wanted to hold my baby. I could see joy for me in their eyes when I found out about her pregnancy. I was lucky to have them in my life. If something happened to me ever I knew my wife, kids and family would be safe.

His eyes were still over my shoulder. Of course, I would slit his throat in less than a second. I was possessive. I wouldn't think twice before killing someone if I caught anybody slightly interested in my wife. They were family, they would protect her without caring for their own breathing. I told a lie to her. Her anger, stubbornness, was replaced by confusion. She wouldn't be mad at me when I was going to tell her the truth.

I nodded, walking over to the couch. "He wanted us to kill him." I muttered to him.

"We're waiting for it." he said, smirking.

"I want them in the hall." I said but he was already jotting something in his phone.

When all gathered in, I motioned them to be in the study hall. "Drake, stay here until I have words with Zhang." I would be out for two or more days. I didn't want her to do anything stupid. I didn't trust her mood swings.

"Sure, boss." Drake said.

Zhang's feet halted in front of me. He bowed his head.

"I'll be out. Let her sneak only for ten minutes. I don't need to explain further." I told him sternly.

He nodded. I didn't need to tell him, he knew his job. He cleared his throat. "Ma'am isn't eating properly." He paused, looking a little bewildered. His eyes were roaming around as he did not know how to say it.

"I trust you." I said. I could see concern in his eyes.

He let out a long exhale that he was holding. "It's not my place to tell you anything. But ma'am needs you around her. It won't be good to..." He paused. "Ma'am is seeking your company. You should have breakfast with her be-fore going." He lowered his head.

I hummed, turning my attention to the rest. "Are we joining you, Devil?" Ben asked, looking hopeful. He liked killing. But when I said I wanted someone who could protect my wife. He stepped forward.

"Drake can replace you?" I suggested.

He shook his head. "No need, boss."

I gave another nod and dismissed Zhang. He bowed his head and left the study.

I discussed the plan with them. I shook off the strange feelings which had lingered with the day I planned this. They stayed at the back of my head and invaded my thoughts uninvitedly. I wasn't in the mood to answer any of her questions until I sorted it out. I was keeping my distance though I longed to touch her, to take her in the ring of my arms, a lot of things were in my mind that I wanted to do.

I needed to talk to her before going. My feet carried over to the door. My hand rested on the knob. I schooled my expression. She didn't need to see the cold side of me. If I wasn't willingly softening to her, her health would suffer.

She was sitting on the couch watching television. She muted it the moment she saw me and straightened her back, blinking her big eyes at me.

A beat of silence passed between us as I stared at my beautiful, innocent wife.

"I didn't do anything." She said, innocently, batting her lashes at me.

I fought a smile as I stepped in closing the door behind me. I walked over to the couch and sat next to her. She chewed on her bottom lip. She looked nervous, that wasn't my intention.

"I will be out for two days." I told her.

Sadness clouded her face. "Two days! Why?" She asked.

I wanted to snap that it wasn't her business. I would have if I would have truly lost my memories. I just clenched my jaw to show her my irritation at her question.

"Stalker?" She whispered, lowering her eyes. It was only she who could dare to talk back otherwise my gun would have been drawn out and a gunshot would had rung in the air. She was looking at me from under her thick lashes.

"Hmm," I nodded slightly.

"Anything else?" She asked.

My eyes narrowed on her, I shook my head. I shouldn't forget I had lied to her. She wasn't going to show her affection when she knew I wasn't going to return it.

She caught me off guard the moment she lifted her body up, putting her weight on her knees as they dug deeper in the couch. My hand shot out to grab her if she fell. Her arms curled around me tightly. She pressed her lips on my cheek. I could feel her round stomach pressing against my abs. I put my hand on her back. I heard her inhaling deeply.

F! She made my heart run fast with her simple gesture.

"Ok, be safe. After you return, we'll discuss how I will lose my weight after my delivery. Because I know you're lying about your memory." My jaw clenched and my hands reached for her shoulders to push her away. " I love you, Duante more than myself." My hands stopped. "I can't be upset with you. Please, don't be hard on me. I'm taking good care of our baby." She whispered.

Gripping her shoulders, I drew her back and stared at her face. My heart squeezed seeing pain in her glassy eyes. She flashed her soft smile. "I'm just worried about my weight." She gnawed on her lower lip, looking down at her stomach.

My brows furrowed together. I loved her body in all shapes. Why was she bothered? This wasn't the right time to talk about my lie to her. "That's not needed." I told her.

She pulled her head back with a scowl. "If I see you near another woman, I'll shoot her." Her lips flattened. "I know you remember me and you don't want me around you right now. But I'm your wife. You can think about being with someone after my death." I felt her voice cracking but she was struggling to not show anything on her face.

My face darkened as I stared at her, pulling my head back. "Don't load your little head, wife." My tone was icy. I reined in. She didn't deserve rudeness from me. I sighed heavily.

"I'm not a little-headed." She snorted, lowering herself to the couch.

A smile pulled up at my lips as my expression softened. I cupped her cheek. Her eyes widened slightly.

"I know the rules. I won't break them." She spoke immediately to hide her shock as it wasn't expected.

"I know you won't." I kissed her head.

Her body relaxed under my touch. Cupping my hand on her cheek, she leaned forward resting her head on my shoulder. I curled my arm around her. She was big. I waited for her to argue but she didn't. Perhaps, I had hurt her more than I thought. I loved her talking nonstop, perhaps another time.