Chapter 74

Melissa.

I was trembling. I didn’t know what to do. I watched the man I loved with all my heart leave the room with a gun pressed to his chest.

What does one do in a situation like this one?

I burst into tears.

Certainly, not that.

But I couldn’t help my fear. The thought that it could’ve been the last time I saw him, the man I was just picturing my future with. The man without whom, I could not breathe. It was devastating.

I took a few deep breaths and wiped the tears away. Shaking uncontrollably, I ran to Angel’s room. She was sleeping. Safe and sound. Thank God. Yet my heart wouldn’t stop racing. I caressed her gently, but my hand was trembling so much I couldn’t keep it in place. I didn’t know what to expect. These men could come back and shoot us both. I felt so shattered. I just got Sebastian back, I couldn’t lose him once again. If I could, I would do anything to get Sebastian back. Anything.

I grabbed my phone from my purse and hardly managed to dial the only number that came to my mind.

“Well, well. To what do I owe this call?” Anderson’ voice rambled through the speaker.

“Sebastian got kidnapped,” I blurted, trying to catch my breath. The fear was suffocating.

“What?” Anderson’ tone changed; it was more serious now. “Are you joking?”

I shook my head, struggling to speak. “Please help me, Anderson. You’re the only person who can do something. Please.”

“I’ll send our men from Miami to get you. They’ll take you to a safe place,” he stated with a solemn tone. “Lock the door and don’t open it to anyone else.”

I nodded, though he couldn’t see it, and ran to the door with the phone still to my ear.

“They’ll tell you our secret code, blue sky. Only open the door after they say it, you hear me?”

“Yes.” My voice cracked.

“I’ll be with you soon, Melissa,” he said and hung up the call.

What an irony that the only person who could help Sebastian was his enemy number one, his brother.

The men working for the Vanderbilts arrived, all in black and armed to the teeth. Their presence felt ominous. With no time to spare, they escorted us away, each of their moves swift and calculated. We hurried towards the waiting car, and I felt a sense of dread washing over me. The black coat and velvet scarf they told me to cover myself with made me feel like a fugitive on the run. Holding Angel tightly in my arms, my heart raced in my chest faster and faster. Just as we drove away, the column of police cars arrived, and the loud sound of the sirens woke Angel up.

“Mommy?” she mumbled, still half-asleep.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here.” I tried to sound as reassuring and calm as possible, but my voice was cracking. My hands were still shaking.

“Where are we going? Where’s Daddy?” She rubbed her eyes.

“He had to go to work for a while, and we’re going to meet Uncle Andy now.” I smiled through my pain.

Angel looked at me, and I kept smiling, but tears were involuntarily dripping down my cheeks. She adjusted herself in my arms, wiping away my tears. “Are you sad because Daddy left?”

I nodded, trying to hold back the tears so badly.

“Don’t cry, Mommy. He’ll come back.” Angel caressed my hair. “Daddy promised he’ll be with us forever.”

Once again, she’d proven she was just like her father. A three-year-old girl was trying to cheer me up in a moment like this when it should be the other way around. “You’re right, baby.” I took a quick breath. “He promised, and Daddy keeps his promises.”

Hours passed in tense silence as we drove through the night. The only sound was the steady hum of the engine and the soft breathing of Angel in my arms as she fell asleep again. With each passing mile, the weight in my chest felt heavier and heavier. I recalled a conversation I had with Elle in the past. Her warning echoed in my mind. Now I knew what she meant when she said that marrying the heir to this family held some responsibilities. Now I knew the perilous reality. But would I back out? Never. I loved Sebastian more than I feared this kind of life. I was ready to lead the dangerous life as a Mafia wife because I knew it couldn’t have been the end of our story.

We arrived at a secluded house hidden deep within the woods. One of the men helped me get out of the car, still holding Angel in my arms. I looked around the isolated surroundings, heading toward a familiar face. A face that if someone had told me just yesterday I’d be happy to see, I’d laugh in their face. “Anderson,” I said, my voice full of pain, assessing his outfit.

He looked different than usual. I’d never seen him before like this, in a black turtleneck, thick pants embellished with hanging chains, and a black leather jacket. He looked like he was ready to go to war.

Anderson didn’t say anything. He just enveloped his arms around me and pulled me closer for a hug. Reassuring, comforting hug I had not expected from him, and I had not realized how much I needed it.

“Melissa, darling.” Elle’s concerned voice grabbed my attention. I moved away from Anderson’ embrace and glanced at her. “Elle? I didn’t expect you to be here too,” I said, barely able to stand on my feet. I was drained, going on full adrenaline for hours.

“We all came,” she said as she hugged me, patting my back before she reached her hands to take Angel from me. “Here, let me take her.”

I was scared to let Angel go of my sight even for a moment, but I knew I needed help now, and I knew she would be safe here, surrounded by an army of mafia members.

“How are you holding up?” Chuck asked as Elle headed with Angel in her arms inside.

I took a heavy breath, my fingers running through my hair. “I’m trying not to lose Angel. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane.”

“We’ll bring him back,” Chuck stated, though his gaze dropped momentarily. “And Charles Moretti will pay for this betrayal with his life.”

“Will you give us a moment?” Anderson said as he turned to his father. Chuck gave him a single nod, and after a fleeting glance at me, he headed back inside.

My gaze landed on Anderson again. He seemed conflicted. As if he was battling his inner war between what he knew was right and what he truly wanted.

“Sebastian proposed to me,” the words blurted out of my mouth. “And I said yes.” I felt like I needed clarity. Like he deserved it.

Anderson’ sand-brown eyes widened, and his pupils grew so big his eyes seemed black. His gaze flickered between mine, his temples pulsed, and his jaw clenched. He let out a heavy sigh, wiping his mouth with his fingers. “You chose him before you even gave me a chance, Melissa.”

“For me, there was never a choice to make. It’s been always him.”

Anderson expression darkened, his eyes filled with genuine pain. He wanted to reach for my hand but hesitated. “Melissa, I know that if it wasn’t for my brother, we could’ve had something special. If only… you gave me a chance.” His eyes bore into mine, his brows furrowed. “I promise I will bring Sebastian back to you, and I promise that if you still choose him, I will step back. But please, consider it again. Consider us.”

I didn’t know what to say. I knew the answer already. I didn’t have to make any choices, didn’t have to think it through. For me, it was Sebastian. Only him. Always. Invariably. Inevitably. Invincibly. But seeing the genuine pain and affection in Anderson’ eyes… I didn’t know how to tell him that, reject him once again. I didn’t know how to break his heart.

I simply nodded softly, switching the topic, “For a moment, I was scared you wouldn’t want to help me save Sebastian. I was scared that you’d be happy he’s gone.”

“For a moment, I was,” Anderson admitted. “I would lie if I said it didn’t cross my mind. For a moment, I saw his kidnapping as a blessing. As a chance for me.” He took a step closer to me, sliding his hand at the back of my neck. “But I didn’t want to win you like this. I wanted you to choose me because you want me. Not because he’s gone and I’m a backup option. A substitution.”

I looked into Anderson’ eyes and, yet again, had no idea what I should’ve said. Perhaps, in another life where Sebastian Vanderbilt would never exist, I could see my future with Anderson. Perhaps, in a different universe, I could fall in love with him. But not in this lifetime. Or any other where his brother existed. Now, all I felt was sympathy and guilt that I had to break his heart because my heart belonged to his brother. Irreversibly and irrevocably.

“I’ll bring my brother back to you, Melissa,” he added, caressing my cheek with his thumb. “I’ll bring Angel her father back.”