Page 36 of Vanished in Vegas

“Hush,” I giggled and snuggled against his chest.

“Babe, I don’t like you out here. It’s too windy,” he whispered tenderly.

Typical Antonio. Always being considerate of my feelings and an absolute gentleman.

The past month had been like a dream come true. If someone had asked me a few weeks ago, if I’d ever move in with a guy who had kidnapped me, I would have yelledHELL NO!But look at me now. I was living my best life with a man, who made me beyond happy.

“What are you thinking about, Beautiful?” Antonio asked softly. I looked up to find him staring down at me with concern sketched on his face.

“Just thinking about how we met and how things have been going these past few weeks,” I admitted.

“And? Is this good or bad?”

“Definitely good. Duh?” I stuck out my tongue, making him laugh. “For the first time in my life, I feel my true self and absolutely happy.”

Antonio smiled wide then dipped his head and kissed me passionately. He kissed me as though there was no tomorrow. I moaned against his lips and clung to his jacket when my knees weakened from emotions.

Antonio slowly broke our kiss.

“You deserve to be happy, Sofia,” he smiled. “Always.”

“Are you happy?” I asked, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

“Absolutely.”

“Good. That makes me– They’re here!” I interrupted myself when I saw an entourage of black SUVs heading down the tarmac towards us. Nerves instantly filled me.

My father had wanted both Antonio and my Uncle Tino’s head. He wanted Antonio dead because he kidnapped me. My dad wanted Tino’s head because Tino was responsible for the death of so many women and had used Romano and De Santis’ names in vain.

The past four weeks, I had spent countless hours negotiating with my father. My terms were simple: I’d give him Tino and no harm would come to Antonio. However, my father retorted with how Antonio needed to know his place and be made an example of for kidnapping me. Each time, I’d snap on my dad then hang up the phone.

Antonio assured me that everything would work out. He even went as far as to say that he’d fly to New Jersey to speak to my father face-to-face. That would be a suicide mission.

Crazy fucker,I thought, glancing up at Antonio.

My father and I finally came to an agreement, against both our dismay. The agreement was Antonio and I would fly to New Jersey to hand over my uncle directly to my father. At this time, my father would decide if he forgave Antonio for his actions towards our family and me.

“Breathe, Babe,” Antonio whispered into my ear.

“You should have let me bring my fucking gun,” I growled, making him laugh.

“You can’t shoot your dad, Sofia.”

“Wanna bet?” I sassed, waving my finger in his face. “If he even thinks about harming a hair on your head, I’ll kill him with my bare fucking hands. I swear I will!”

“You’re so sexy when you’re mad,” Antonio smirked.

“Hush.” I turned my head so he couldn’t see me smile.

“Mmhmm. I saw that,” he chuckled. “Showtime.”

The SUVs stopped a few feet from us. My stomach knotted. It was unsettling not having a gun to ensure that my father behaved. I wasn’t sure what I’d do if my father killed Antonio.

Several doors opened and people filed out of the cars. They were my dad’s goons. They were armed with machine guns. The hairs on the back of my neck stood.

“Relax, Sofia,” Antonio said softly. “He’s just trying to intimidate me. I’m not scared.”

“If he… If he hurts you–” I choked on my own words as I tried to hold back tears.

---