Chapter four (Marriage or death)

“Where is the money?” He took a step forward and my breath hitched. My nails dug into my flesh.

“Five hundred thousand dollars,” he said, and trailed his sharp eyes from my head to toes then back to my face. “Where is it?”

God… what have I gotten myself into?

My heart was racing very fast.

The way I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me.

“Still can’t believe that this thing-“ he whipped his finger toward me. “This thing fucking drugged seven hefty men and eloped with the bag of cash I left in their care!”

His men gulped and lowered their heads, embarrassed.

“Boss…we didn’t find the money with her,” immediately the word left one of them, a heavy punch landed straight on his face. “Ahhh!!” He cried out, stumbling back with his hand holding his bleeding nose.

And my fear worsened.

Alessandro growled, infuriated.

“You still had the guts to talk!!” He barked, the others shrunk back.

There was a dead silence

That even a pin drop could be heard.

Breathing here felt like a death sentence.

I could already feel my hands getting sweaty.

“And you?” He turned, his piercing blue eyes landed on me again, and a bile raised on my throat. “ANSWER ME!!”

I flinched. Shaking my head, “I…I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” He repeated before letting out a mocking laugh. Even the laugh sounded so scary. Then he stopped, his expression darkened again. “If you don’t want to feel sorry for your damn self now hand me over the money!”

I jumped at his roar.

My entire body trembled violently, and I involuntarily crawled back a bit. My throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe.

The only thing racing in my head was who sent me.

If I had known it was this devil’s money, I couldn’t have dared.

Now, I’m screwed.

I have heard tales of how he ruthlessly killed people and the cases swept under the carpet.

Fuck… Theo.

Tears tried to spill out but I was fast to blink them.

“To even think you work in my club and you dare to steal from me.” He added and a cold shiver coursed down my spine.

How does he know that I work there?

No…. How does he know I was here? And my photo?

Shit, don’t tell me he knows about Theo.

My heart skipped at that thought.

Fear gawked at me hard.

“Do you even have the slightest idea of whose money you took?!”

My head moved before I could stop them.

He growled and forcefully grabbed the collar of my jacket yanking me off from the ground toward him and I gasped.

“You know one thing. I hate repeating myself.” He hissed. His breath fanning my cheeks. I shut my eyes, doing everything necessary not to look into his eyes.

He scares me to shit.

“I…I’m not with your money.” I stammered.

Alessandro shot me a sharp look, and tightened his grip on my neck instead, earning a sharp scream from me.

“I bet you don't know who you’re messing with. But let me remind you, little thief.” He snarled, leaning closer and I quickly pressed my eyes shut. My heart was pounding so fast that I could hear the heavy thud in my ears.

“I am Alessandro Caruso. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to mess with me.”

The words hit me like a clap of thunder.

And my palms turned slick with sweat instantly.

“So for the last time; my money.”

“I’m not with it.” I persisted and that reply drove him insane.

He tightened his grip. I cried out and immediately hurried up to grab his hand from choking me.

But it was futile.

My strength was no match.

“I swear…” tears appeared on my eyes as I opened them. But those cold blue eyes landed hard on me, temporarily ceasing my breath. “I….I…. It was stolen…”

My voice trembled.

“It was stolen from the taxi I entered. I was robbed.” I quickly blurted in one go. Praying that he believes me.

I couldn’t possibly tell him that I used it to pay for my son’s hospital bills.

This monster has no heart. That could mean endangering Theo as well.

His brow furrowed up slightly. He looked behind me and then back at me. A wicked mockery smirk on his side lips. “Do I look like a fool?” He pushed me but before I could hold my balance… his hand grabbed my jacket and tore it off.

I screamed, my knees buckled and I fell to the ground, hugging myself.

I was left just in that my short silver gown that covered nothing.

The men awkwardly looked away.

Fuck.

But not him.

His eyes roamed over me in nothing but disgust. “Attacked yet no sign of wounds.”

“I was… I was pushed off the car.” I said immediately. And curled my fingers into my palms to stop them from shaking but it was useless. “I twisted my ankle and that’s why I hurried here.”

He paused and looked at me.

No words.

And that suspense was more terrifying than anything.

Every instinct in me screamed one thing run

But my butt remained rooted to the ground.

Where could I possibly run to?

I was already in the devil’s den. I just need to do anything to save my ass and that of my son.

So without another word, I quickly knelt down and lowered my head. My body was shaking nervously.

“Please, I would do anything, just spare me. Please.”

There was a dead dragged silence before he laughed. But that was short lived. He instantly snatched a gun from the guard beside him and aimed it at me.

“Ahhh!!” I cried out, and raised my hands in the air with my eyes squeezed shut. My heart hammering so hard against my ribs that it hurt.

“Do anything?” He repeated in a foul tone. “What could nobody like you possibly be of use to me?” He snarled, taking a step forward. And I crawled back

But unfortunately my back hit one of his men and my hope shattered.

“You’re of no use to me. The only use you’re to me is having that pretty head of yours blasted to the ground right now.”

“You could have allowed yourself to die then be alive without my money. I hate excuses.” He hit the trigger and a scream tore out from my mouth.

Horror flashed in my face as I braced myself for the worst.

Theo.

God…. Theo.

The tears I was holding started circling in my eyes. The idea of leaving him alone in this awful world scattered my heart.

But at the moment the car opened and another man dressed in black hurried over with a ringing phone.

“M–madam Rosalia Caruso.” a voice said then I heard murmuring.

The name alone seemed to change the atmosphere.

Slowly, I cracked one eye open

Then the other.

Alessandro now has his back on me, the phone pressed to his ear.

Even from where I was, I could see the tension in his broad shoulders.

“Mother?” His voice had lost some of his fury.

Silence.

Then his jaw hardened.

“No fucking way!!” He barked and my breath caught, watching the way his hand clenched the phone hard.

“Mom? Mom?”

I heard the beep sound. Meaning the call has ended.

He pulled off the phone and glared at it before smashing it to the ground. I flinched. Gulping in a quick amount of air.

For several seconds he remained still before he carefully turned and those cold eyes landed on me again.

He looked even more scary now.

More terrifying than before.

And that was enough to scare the hell off me.

His men looked at each other, confused but they dared not say a word.

“You said you will do anything?” He asked and I bobbed my head, skeptically. He smirked and nodded to his men. “Get her to the car… we will be going to the Sterling City Marriage Registry.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

If my brain still functions, that's the place for marriage.

He stopped and shot me an irritated glare. Like he doesn’t even want to do this. “What else, dummy? We’re getting married.”

“WHAT?” I shouted.

My eyes shot wide.

“I’m not fucking getting married to you!”

No way am I getting married to him?

He eyed me up and down before saying in a condensing voice. “Don’t feel so special. If it was left for me, you would never stand in front of me. This….” He pointed to the two of us. “This is strictly business. Take this as your debt and after one year… you will be gone.”

I staggered.

Not believing my ears.

“I can’t….. I can’t.”

“Then kiss your ass bye bye,” he pulled out the gun and I jumped back in fear. My mind drifted to Theo then to the marriage and then to my grave. And my chest tightened.

I can’t possibly die now but at the same time I can’t…..

“Is there no other option?” I said and his finger moved to the trigger. “Death or marriage. Choose one.”