Page 97 of Ruined in Vows

Allegra

“What the hell is going on?” I repeat, my voice raised.

“Just calm down, Miss Marchetti,” Gio drawls nonchalantly from the front seat, like he hasn’t just kidnapped me.

“It’s Mrs. Vitale,” I hiss. “And you better start talking and tell me where you’re taking us right now,” I snap, finally losing my temper.

“Calm down, honey. Alessio won’t hurt us.” She looks at him, chewing her lip, but I see the uncertainty on her face. “Right?”

He reaches across, taking her hand in his, his facial expression softening. “I would never let any harm come to you,dolcezza.”

I pause, my brows furrowing at Alessio’s term of endearment. Did he just call my mammasweetheart?

Mamma blushes, her shoulders sagging in relief. “Then where are you taking us?”

“It’s the boss's orders.” He replies.

My anger rises, frustration at not knowing what the hell is happening surging in my veins.

“What did my brother order, Alessio? Tell me,” I demand.

His face is passive as he looks at me. “Nico instructed us to take you and Valentina back to the Hamptons.”

My heart stutters in my chest, nausea churning in my gut when I try to piece together his words. “What?” I whisper. “No,” I add, figuring it out. If these are Nico’s orders, then that means a war is about to begin in that church. It was all planned. Dante. Nico. They will both be there along with an army of soldiers. But what if one of them gets hurt. Because of me. “Stop the vehicle. Let me out!” I shout.

“No,” Alessio grates out, his jaw clenching as he glares at me. I have never seen him so angry, and especially not when that anger is directed at me. “Nico wants you safe, out of the way, and at the estate.”

Panic grips my throat. “Bu-but,” I stutter out, anxiety clawing at my throat. “They could get hurt. They could die.” I cry, the thought alone almost crippling me. “Please, Alessio. We have to go back.” My voice is edging on hysteria as I plead with him.

“No,” he repeats. “I will not jeopardize either of your safety.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

Knowing that I’m not going to win this fight with Alessio, I turn my attention to Mamma, imploring her with my eyes. “Please. That is your son in there.” I beseech, playing on her heartstrings and hoping it gets through to her. Though I believe it will be in vain. Mamma will have more of a chance of convincing Alessio than me. Nonetheless, I know this life well enough to know that, if the order has come from Nico, then it is made to be followed. I doubt either of us will win in this argument. “We have to go back. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

“Allegra–” Mamma starts, but is cut off by Alessio, who is pinning his angry glare on me.

“Do not try to guilt trip your mamma.” Shame coats me that he caught on to what I was trying to do. “Nico knows what he isdoing. These are his orders. You were born into this world; you know how it works, Allegra. We have been instructed to get you both to safety. Every minute of your brother’s plans have been carefully constructed. Right down to this part. You need to trust Nico.”

With tears running down my cheeks, I shake my head, pointing out the reality. “But things can always go wrong. No plan is failsafe.”

Alessio shrugs, repeating himself once more, as if I didn’t hear him the first time. “Nico knows what he is doing. This is our world. He cannot back down on this. It will make him look weak.”

“And what is the “this” you are referring to?” I snap. “And why wasn’t I informed about any of it.”

Rage surges in my veins that I was kept in the dark about this, and I angrily swipe at the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“If your brother didn’t want you to know, then he had his reasons. I am sure he will discuss them with you when it is all done.” Alessio doesn’t even bother trying to conceal the irritation aimed at me.

“I hate you all.” I spit, lashing out. And though it’s not true, someone has to take the brunt of my anger. Unfortunately for Alessio, he is in the line of fire. I freeze, my eyes widening when a question crosses my mind. “Is my husband aware of what is happening?” Each word out of my mouth tastes like poison.

Surely Dante would not have hidden this from me?

But then I remember how calm he was before the wedding.

As if he knew something I didn’t.

Motherfucker.

The look that flashes in Alessio’s eyes tells me everything I need to know.

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