Chapter 199 Book 2 CHPT 31: A Husband’s Wrath

Chapter 199 Book 2 CHPT 31: A Husband’s Wrath
ALINA 

Tears streamed down my face as my chest tightened painfully.

"Please, Val," I begged, my voice breaking. "Just leave. I can't stay in that castle anymore. I finally have peace here."

His eyes darkened. "You're pushing me away again."

"Don't you want me to be happy?" I asked, my voice barely holding together.

"Of course I do."

"Then go," I whispered. "Please."

"I will not go," Valentino said, his voice low and firm. "I'm taking you away from here."

"I said I'm not going," I cried, shaking my head wildly.

"Leave me alone. Please, leave me alone. I'm not going."

His jaw tightened, his eyes turning dark and cold.

"Fine. If you won't come with ease," he said slowly, "then I'll make you leave by force."

My heart skipped in terror. "What are you saying?"

He didn't answer me. He turned slightly and spoke to his men.

"Boys, take him."

Before I could even move, two wolf guards lunged forward and grabbed Julius.

He cried out in shock as they dragged him roughly from his spot, his feet slipping in the snow. He struggled hard in their grip, panic written all over his face, but their fists came down without mercy.

A punch landed against his jaw, another to his ribs, and he groaned in pain as they kicked him down.

"Leave him alone, Val!" I screamed, my voice breaking. "Don't hurt him!"

Valentino looked at me, his face unreadable. "Are you leaving or not?"

"I am not leaving," I said through sobs. "Do whatever you want. You can't force me!"

His eyes hardened completely. "Then I'll kill him."

The words hadn't even settled when a scream rang out behind us.

"What?!"

I turned sharply,

my breath catching in my throat.

Alfredo and Nana stood frozen at the entrance of the house, horror written all over their faces. Nana rushed forward immediately, her hands trembling as she fell to her knees in the snow.

"Please," she cried, her voice cracking. "Don't kill my son. He's my only child."

Valentino turned toward her slowly, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

"Oh, you must be the Nana," he said. "You're the one who poisoned my wife's mind, just so you can matchmake her with your son."

"Of course not," Nana replied, far calmer than I expected, even as fear shook her body.

I rushed to her side and held her arm tightly.

"This is my husband," I said quickly. "I'm so sorry."

Her eyes widened as she looked at Valentino.

"Oh," she murmured. "So this is your husband. You never told me he was this powerful. You never told me he was the devil of Milan."

My breath stuttered. She recognized him?

"The devil of Milan?" Julius gasped weakly from where he was being held on the freezing ground.

Valentino smirked faintly. "Oh, old woman, you recognize me. I'm impressed."

"Of course I recognize you, Valentino Romano," Nana said.

"I've lived in Milan long enough to know who you are. But please, I mean no harm to you or your wife. Your wife chose to come stay with me for her own reasons. Why don't you respect her decision?"

Valentino's face darkened.

"Old woman, respect yourself. Say one more word and I'll kill you and your son. Do you understand me? Whatever poison you've put in her head, remove it now. I want my wife. She's coming with me."

"No," Nana said quietly. "She can't go with you."

Valentino's eyes flashed with rage.

"You dare defy me now? Are you not scared of your life?"

"I am," Nana answered honestly. "But everything happening here today is for your own benefit."

"For my benefit?" Valentino scoffed. "You dare say that?"

He turned sharply to his men. "This woman talks too much. Grab her."

"What?!" I screamed, rushing forward. "Leave her alone. Don't you dare touch her!"

I started pounding my fists against Valentino's chest, crying and shaking.

"Leave them alone. Please."

He grabbed my wrist firmly. "Follow me back to the castle," he said. "And I'll spare them."

"Why are you doing this to me?" I sobbed. "Why can't you respect my choice? I'm doing this for us. Why, Valentino?"

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, like he was exhausted by everything.

Then he turned away from me.

"Kill them."

The wolves immediately pulled out their guns.

"No!" I screamed, my voice tearing through the night.

"Come here!" Val growled, grabbed my wrist, and began dragging me roughly toward the vehicle.

I resisted, my boots dragging along the snow, but he kept dragging me anyway.

I watched and screamed in horror as the guns pressed against Nana's and Julius's heads.

"Stop!" Nana screamed with all the strength she had left just as the guns cocked.

"She's carrying your child!"