Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

55. Allegra

Chapter 55

Allegra

“ W hat 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 mamma sweetheart ?

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 is doing. 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.

Dante lied to me.

“Good to know my marriage is based on honesty,” I clip out sarcastically.

“Honey, he must have had his reasons,” Mamma murmurs softly.

I shake my head angrily. “No. Don’t make excuses for him. He lied. That is unacceptable.” I’m probably being petulant but it’s how I feel. I am entitled to my anger, and I shouldn’t have to play down my feelings. I do feel betrayed. Like our marriage is now built on a lie.

I chew my lip thoughtfully. Maybe I shouldn’t be focusing on this right now. I mean, my brother and husband could… I shake my head, ridding myself of the idea before it takes root. No. I cannot think like that.

Sighing, I inhale a calming breath. Only when Dante comes back in one piece can we discuss my issues with his dishonesty. But for right now, I need to bide my time and pray to every god above that both my brother and husband come out of whatever shit they have gotten themselves into alive.

The SUV slows down, and glancing up, I watch as we turn down a quiet side street.

Within seconds a plan forms in my mind, my heart pounding in my chest at what I am about to do. Slyly, quietly, I reach between me and Mamma, pressing down on the belt buckle clip and releasing it. Glancing up, I am pleased to see Mamma looking ahead and Alessio focused on something on his cell phone.

This is my chance.

Just as I yank on the door handle, I am thrown forward, my head smacking off the seat in front of me as something plows into the side of the vehicle, and it quickly dawns on me that we have been hit.

“Ahh,” I cry out, pain exploding in my head.

“Allegra.” Mamma calls out to me, her voice filled with panic.

Alessio curses, before firing off orders.

The SUV comes to a stop. I glance over at Mamma, frantically checking for any injuries. My shoulders sag in relief when I see no sign of blood or anything else. Then the worst happens. The vehicle starts moving as we are rammed repeatedly. The distinct sound of metal-on-metal then, as if it couldn’t get any worse, gun fire.

Alessio throws himself in front of Mamma, shouting out. “Gio. Dario. Pull your fucking weapons out now, shoot anyone who gets close. And under no circumstances do we let anyone get their hands on Allegra or Valentina.” He follows suit, pulling the barrel on his gun, ready for battle.

Panic settles under my skin, my heart pounding so fast I feel lightheaded. And when the vehicle tips on its side, both Mamma and I scream.

“Oh my God. We are going to die,” Mamma cries.

“Take your seatbelts off.” Alessio orders, not knowing that I already removed mine. Mamma scrambles to flick the button, her hands trembling so hard she struggles. Alessio punches the button down, his steady gaze locked on hers when he speaks.

“I will not let anything happen to you or your daughter, Valentina. Listen to everything I say and focus on me,” he instructs.

Mamma nods her agreement but before she can speak, he smashes his lips to hers.

My eyes widen, and though I am happy for Mamma, I don’t really think this is the time or place for Alessio to be claiming her.

“Alessio, we are fucking surrounded.” A deep voice rumbles from the front, snapping him from his kiss.

Pulling back, he pins Mamma with a look before barking out orders. “Aim for the feet if they get close. Do not hesitate,” he commands, just as the vehicle comes to a stop. “This is it. They are coming. Stay with me and be brave, dolcezza .” Alessio looks at me. “They are here for you,” he tells me what I already assumed. “No matter what, we need to keep you safe.”

Nodding, I plead, “Don’t let anything happen to Mamma.”

“I won’t,” he snaps, sounding a little insulted. “Both of you, stay down.”

Moving to do just that, I’m stopped in my tracks when the window above us is smashed open, glass shattering all over me. Simultaneously, Mamma and I scream. A gunshot sounds. Wet, hot liquid hits my face, and I know without looking, it’s blood.

“Get down here,” Alessio barks, pulling Mamma down to the window that is currently crushed against the asphalt. Shifting, I crouch down beside her, huddling together. Alessio climbs up toward the top. “Cover me,” he shouts at one of the men in the front, but I ignore him, focusing on Mamma who is trembling and crying beside me.

Wrapping my arms around her, I whisper words of positivity in her ear, hoping to calm her.

Logically, I know it’s pointless.

Because the reality is, we might not make it out of this alive.