Chapter 5

Chapter 5-A not-so jolly husband

“Leave?!” She yelled, “Why am I leaving? Where am—

“I don’t have the time to answer your questions. “ Vincent cut her off, “We’re married now, you’ve fulfilled your duty which means you do as I say. There’s a car waiting for you outside, ready to take you to the airport.”

Victoria’s eyes widened. She just couldn’t belugas it. First they force her to marry him, now she was being forced to leave without as much having a where.

“Where am I going to?”

“My home.”

“Your home?”

“Our home.” He corrected, he brought out a cigar which he lit, “It’s on an island. I need you to be there until I get a few things sorted out.”

The tears that brimmed up in her eyes started to fall, “I want to see my mom.”

“No.” He said.

She ignored his words and tried to walk past him, when he grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her backwards, she almost bucked against his chest which made her shriek, “What the—

“Look.” He said, his voice gruff, “I’m not a man of patience. You’re to do as I say as I am your husband.”

“I’m not a piece of property you can just haul around, Vincent!” She cried out, calling her new husband’s name for the first time, “I’m an actual human being!”

Vincent didn’t care what she was. To him, she was simply extra baggage from his brother’s death coming to make things even more difficult. He heard Maximof had gotten married to someone from the Moretti family, thought she was beautiful when he attended their wedding. He just didn’t think she would be this annoying.

Sighing deeply, he grabbed Victoria by the arm and walked towards the door. She tried to resist, fight against him. Even with all her strength, it was no use, Vincent was just too strong. Tears welled up in her eyes as they walked outside the church to another car waiting for her, new bodyguards who looked more menacing than the last.

She gulped hard. Vincent shoved her a little towards the car door, “Get in.”

“No.”

“Tori, I’m not in the mood. Get in.” He warned.

She gasped softly at the way he called her name, for a short moment she could sense the softness in his voice. It was almost like he was tired, that made her relent for some reason.

“This isn’t over, Vincent.” She said as she got into the car.

He rolled his eyes, shutting the door in front of her without as much sparing even a glance. He turned to the guard at the front, “Take her to the airport. Gustavo knows what to do from there.”

**********

She was tired, so tired that she didn’t realize when they’d gotten to the airport. The guard gently tapped her on the shoulder to wake her up, she winced out of fatigue and got out of the car with his help. Then, he covered her body with a large coat that had an unfamiliar scent—manly, determined. She felt protected just from it.

He led her towards the checking area, for a brief moment she wondered what was to happen as she didn’t have a passport. To her surprise, they let her pass the boarding area as her guard simply showed the flight border a piece of paper, whilst the others in line had to use their boarding passes.

It all made no sense but she reluctantly followed the guard down the hallway until they reached a private hanger. Then she gasped.

“You’re joking.”

There it was—a private jet with the name “V. MORANO.” Clearly inscribed on both sides of its body.

“The boss wants you to be comfortable.” The guard murmured as he ushered her up the plane.

She found that very hard to believe, as she also found him owning a jet way harder. This only further cemented the fact that she knew barely nothing about her brother-in-law , now turned husband. Her eyes stung from exhaustion.

“You will be taken care of ma’am.” Someone else said on the plane as she reached. She lifted her head up to another guard with a lanky frame, a funny stash of red hair and the most fierce eyes she’d ever seen, “I’m Gustavo, your personal liaison.”

She was quiet, too tired to acknowledge his greeting and slumped into one of the plane chairs. After a brief minute she asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“The boss’s private island.”

“My hus—he owns an island?”

“He owns many islands. This is just one of them.”

She let out a short breath. How rich was Vincent Morano exactly? She couldn’t help but think.

She’d heard about his escapades from Maximof, how ruthless he was. He was a monster who secluded himself from the entire world, and only appeared when summoned. They’d met once at a charity gala, after her wedding before her husband’s death, Vincent had the most terrifying eyes she’d ever seen—right there, she made a mental note to not cross his path.

Now she was married to him…..

Tears welled up in her eyes but she was too tired and withdrawn to let them drop. Instead, she fell asleep right on the chair, next to Gustavo who signaled the pilot to start the journey.

“Gustavo?” She murmured in her sleep.

“Ma’am?” He answered with the utmost form of respect.

“What’s he like….your boss?”

Gustavo answered her question with silence.

*********

She was still asleep by the time the plane landed on the island, still asleep whilst Gustavo gently carried her out. She was still deep in slumber as he made his way into the main house after checking with security, and still asleep as he placed her on the bed. Then he sent a message to his boss about his parcel landing safely.

Vincent stared at the message and a frown creased his brow, right as he was in the middle of getting information. His mission was complete, he got what he needed and ordered for the jet to be brought back to him in the middle of the night.

Victoria was still so tired, drowsy even as she fought hard to regain consciousness but couldn’t. Maximof had died, his beautiful face haunted her dreams which she barely wanted to leave. It was better than facing the reality of marrying his own brother.

Guilt overcame her, pure and wicked guilt. She was a widow, one who barely had time to grieve the death of her husband before she was forced to marry his brother. Finally, she managed to gain enough strength as the first rays of the morning sun shone over her.

Someone opened a curtain. A loud yawn escaped her as she managed to sit upright, still trying to clear her morning haze and regain her memories of what happened. She turned around and a tall figure was standing right in front of her—watching.

She yelped, “What the—

“I need to ask you a question.” Vincent said.

She blinked exasperatedly, breathing heavily. He was just at the church hours ago, now he was with her?!

“Wh…what are you…why are you—

“You signed a contract.” He muttered, “Legally you’re bonded to me. You’re mine….I’m not yours, but you’re mine. So I need you to tell me the truth.” Vincent lowered himself to his panicking wife, “Are you responsible for my brother’s death?”