Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Are you happy?” I asked, rubbing small circles around my pregnant belly.
“I’m more than happy, Angel. I’m fucking ecstatic.”
“You always addressed the baby as a boy. Are you happy that it’s a girl?”
When he didn’t answer right away, I grew nervous. Finally, I felt his lips next to my ear. He placed a kiss there before saying, “I’m happy.”
I sighed in relief, and when he continued, my heart soared higher with contentment. “I think deep inside I always wanted a princess. After losing…” He paused, but I got what he meant. “I was just scared. I didn’t want to hope. But when I heard it’s a girl, I felt like my heart just flipped. I swear it stopped for a second. I’m the happiest I can be right now.”
I leaned back against his chest and tilted my head backwards. Alessio looked back at me. “I’m happy too.”
Alessio smiled and kissed my forehead, my nose, and finally my lips. He took my lips sweetly.
“Such a sweet moment. I almost feel bad for interrupting.”
My eyes widened, and my heart stopped. I froze and slowly went numb.
No. No. No. Please no.
My mind screamed, my heart wept, and I was suddenly hurting everywhere.
That voice.
This couldn’t be happening.
Not again. Not now.
I felt Alessio freeze behind me. From our position, I saw his lips curl in a snarl. I tilted my head down, fear clouding my vision. I shook with terror.
In that moment, I just wanted to disappear into thin air. I didn’t want to exist. I wanted to be far…very far away from the Devil.
Alessio stood straight, and I felt him turn around. I slowly got up and turned around too but stayed hidden behind Alessio.
I couldn’t see Alberto from where I was. I was completely hidden, protected behind Alessio’s back.
Alessio moved his hand to his waistband, where his gun was.
“Ah. Ah. Don’t move or I will shoot. Trust me, this time I will,” Alberto warned. “Step away from her.”
Alessio didn’t move. “Step away from her or I will shoot. What’s the point of being a hero? After I shoot you, I can shoot her. So step the fuck away from her.”
Alessio’s hand stayed on his waistband, and he still didn’t move. I heard Alberto laugh. My ears rang with it, and I pinched my eyes closed.
Without thinking, I stepped from behind Alessio’s back and came to stand beside him.
Alberto’s eyes roamed over me, and I saw his vile smirk. “There you are, love.”
I shuddered at his voice but kept my eyes on him. He looked different. He had a beard, and his clothes were rumpled.
His eyes appeared red, tired, and…crazed. Their maniacal gleam pierced me until all I felt was absolute fear.
My head ran wild; my stomach cramped. My heart ached. It hurt so much.
“If only you hadn’t run away,” he tsked. “I would have kept you alive. But now you just pissed me off. I don’t feel generous anymore.”
Panic clawed at my throat, and I glanced at Alessio. He was staring at Alberto stoically. How did it come to this? Everything was perfect just moments ago.
Alberto took a step toward us, pointing the gun in my direction. His gaze moved to Alessio. “One move and I will shoot her brains out. You know it takes only seconds.”
Alessio’s hands fisted at his side. I wanted to fall down and beg for mercy.
My breathing accelerated, and my chest grew tight. Alberto continued to walk forward until he was only a few steps away.
He pointed the gun at Alessio and then at me. “Hmm…I wonder who I should shoot first.”
Alberto pointed the gun at me. “The little Angel?”
He cocked his head to the side before pointing the gun at Alessio. “Her savior?”
My heart stuttered in pain, and I rubbed my stomach. I could barely breathe.
“You are such a coward, Alberto. Why don’t you fight like a man?” Alessio growled.
Alberto tsked and pointed the gun at me again but this time toward my stomach. “Or the baby?”
NO! I wanted to scream. My heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest. My hands shook, but I cradled my pregnant belly protectively.
“Aww, how cute,” he mocked. “The baby it is, then.”
My eyes widened. Everything happened so fast. I saw Alessio lurch forward, and his leg kicked out. He got Alberto in the hand, and the gun flew away.
Alessio tackled Alberto to the ground, and I stood frozen, watching the two men roll on the ground, fighting.
I couldn’t lose Alessio. I just couldn’t.
I was blind with terror as I watched them fight. They were out for blood, and in that moment, I didn’t know who would win.
With wide eyes, I looked for the gun. Where did the gun go?
When I finally noticed it next to a tree, I took a step forward but stopped when Alberto pushed Alessio off him.