Suspects

Playlist for this Chapter: Don't Wanna Know by Suriel Hess, Feel Love by Suriel Hess.

"Please, you can't tell Giovanni." I pleaded Gabriella with tears running down my face while she looked at me sympathetically as she helped me up to my feet and led me to the bed and made my lie down.

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor thoughtfully before glancing at me.

"You're carrying the heir of Nicholas King, aren't you?" She asked a little hesitant when I bit my lip and nodded.

"Yes." I whispered, wiping my tears with my hands as she handed me a box of tissues.

"I won't tell him." She spoke after a while and my head snapped up to look at her shocked.

"Y-you w-won't?"

"No, I may love the boy but I'm not a fool to see how crazed he is. He'll kill your child if he gets wind of this." She said scared when my own heart thumped harder in fear.

I can't let him do that.

"And you don't deserve that, neither does the innocent one who hasn't even come into this world yet. I know you're an innocent woman. You were thrust into this world unwillingly because you chose to love the most dangerous man known. You never asked for it, yet you're here. You deserve so much, dear." She said, her eyes glossing over as my own tears threatened to escape.

"Thank you, I owe you my life." I said gratefully to her before hugging her tightly when she chuckled and rubbed my back comfortingly.

"It's okay dear. Now, we need to get you out of here. You don't have a tracker on you, do you?" She asked.

I was about to shake my head but then my eyes widened in realisation as my hands fumbled at my shirt and I pulled out the necklace Nico had gifted me.

I remembered his words from the day he gave this to me as they rung in my head.

'Wear this as a token of my love and appreciation to you, my love. I'll always be with you when you wear this, whether we're together or not, I'll always find you.'

I turned it over, looking around the intricate engraving of the 'King' family crest when I pressed on the small diamond on it a bit after feeling its smooth surface and heard it beep once.

"I-It's working." I said baffled when a small green light blinked at the back of it, indicating the signal had been sent.

"You need to tell that man that he's going to be a father. This only puts you in more danger, so he must know as soon as possible." Gabriella said taking my hands in hers and I nodded frantically.

"I-I know, but how?" I asked nervously when she grinned.

"Leave that up to me, dear." She winked before leaving the room while I wrung my hands together in nervousness, tucking back the necklace under my shirt so no one would see it.

Nearly half an hour later, the same maid with the black hair from when Giovanni had me captive the last time entered the room and smiled when she saw me as the guards locked the door behind her.

I noticed the tray of food in her hands and a few articles of clothing hanging from her arm as she ran over to me.

"Are you okay, miss?" She asked worried and I nodded a bit as she set the tray on the table before gesturing towards the bathroom.

I frowned before following her in when she closed the door behind her and took out a phone from her pocket.

"Gabriella sent me and told me to give this to you. Congratulations." She beamed at me when I frowned.

"For what?"

"You're expecting, aren't you?" She questioned when my eyes widened.

"H-how did you know?" I asked her alarmed.

"I had a feeling when I saw you throwing up after breakfast that day." She said and I nodded slowly.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. That man is a monster, and you'll never be safe around him." She said angrily before looking at me thoughtfully.

"Turn on the shower and then make the call. I'll be outside in case anyone comes in." She said when I hugged her suddenly.

"Thank you." I whispered into her shoulder when she patted my back as I pulled away and she offered me a warm smile.

"Of course. Be careful." She said leaving me alone in the bathroom and I immediately locked the door, turning the shower on and then quickly dialled the umber I had memorized by heart.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I heard the familiar ringing tone before the call was picked on the third ring and a deep voice sounded through.

"King." He spoke as a small sob broke out of me.

"Nico." I said breathless and heard rustling in the background and frantic shouting before he spoke again.

"Dove, baby, where are you? We got a signal but I-... How are you baby? Are you hurt? Sweetheart, talk to me, please." He pleaded through the phone as my eyes welled up.

"Giovanni, he's taken me hostage. I-I'm okay, I think." I sniffled.

"What do you mean by you think? He didn't hurt you, did he?" He asked darkly, an underlying threat in his voice when I remembered why I had called.

"He hasn't done much harm but I-... I have something to tell you something very important." I said impatiently biting my lip.

"What is it my love?" He asked in urgency as I clenched my eyes shut, my hand resting on my stomach.

"I-I'm pregnant, Nico." I whispered and heard him suck in a sharp breath as I awaited his response.

Did I do the right thing?

Yes, definitely, he had a right to know.

"Y-You're wha-... H-how, baby?" He asked, shock evident in his tone.

"I-I don't know Nico, but I got help from their housekeeper to call you. She said Giovanni would kill me if he found I was carrying your child. I'm scared, Nico." I whimpered, closing my eyes.

"My love, my sweet girl." He sighed heavily.

"I'm coming for you baby, I'll end that fucker for good, and I'll protect you and our child, I promise. I found you." He said with authority and finality in his voice when I choked back a sob.

"Please hurry up Nico, I don't have much time, he wants to marry me and threatened me with my family. Are they safe?" I asked worried.

"Yes baby, they're safe, I tightened security on them as soon as you disappeared because I knew he'd make a move on them next. I promise you, my love, I'll protect the both of you. I love you baby." He said when I sniffled.

"I love you too Nico, hurry up." I said and before he could answer, the call dropped and when I glanced at the screen that was now black.

I realized that battery must have died as I put the phone aside and washed my face before heading out.

Discreetly, I placed the device back in the maid's hands and smiled gratefully at her before she left the room as I lay back on the bed.

Pulling the covers over me, my hand cradling my flat stomach as I felt better knowing Nico was coming for me. For us.

"Don't worry baby, daddy's coming for us." I murmured, rubbing my stomach fondly as a smile took over my face.

I was going to be a mother.

My eyes closed on their own account while I dreamed of a blissful future with Nico.

With my new family.

* * *

"Ma'am." A maid's voice woke me up from my deep slumber, the first time I'd actually slept since I was taken hostage as I woke up slowly and sat up.

"The master requests your presence for breakfast downstairs." She said and I nodded, going into the bathroom and freshened up quickly before moving into the closet, glancing at all the clothes.

I felt a hand on my waist and jumped up in alarm, turning around immediately, my eyes met grey ones as a smirk pulled on his lips.

"W-What are you doing here?" I moved away from him as he scanned my clothes before puling out a dress.

"Wear this." He ordered and I frowned.

"No." I said and saw his eyes narrow at me as he moved a step closer to me. My eyes widened in fear.

He could hurt my baby.

With that thought in my mind, I put a hand in front of me to stop him and shook my head frantically.

"I-I'll wear it." I stuttered and saw his smug grin.

"Good choice." He said, glancing at me hungrily before.

"Hurry up." He said impatiently before leaving my room and I was thankful he had left and hadn't hurt me as I wore the light blue dress he chose for me with a scowl, even though it was pretty.

Slipping on white chunky heels with it, I took off my necklace and hid it between the clothes so he wouldn't find it.

I replaced it with a pearl one on my neck with matching earrings and bracelet, running a hand through my wavy hair.

Sighing, I made my way out where two guards were waiting for me and led me downstairs and outside into a garden where a table and two chairs had been set.

Giovanni was already seated wearing a grey suit and men were standing at different places in the garden when I looked around as I approached him.

He grinned when he saw me, raking his eyes over my figure before nodding as I sat down and breakfast was served to us.

"You look good" He said and I looked up to him but I ignored him completely.

"I have a business meeting in the evening and I'd like you to accompany me." He said after a while as I sipped on the orange juice.

"Are you asking or ordering?" I asked him crossing my arms over my chest when he chucked darkly, the sound making me aware of what he was capable of as I cursed myself for not controlling my tongue.

"Smart girl. Let me rephrase that. I have a business meeting in the evening and you will accompany me. Wear a formal black dress, there's plenty in the wardrobe." He stated, gesturing to a bodyguard who walked over to us immediately.

"Assicurati che la sua stanza sia sempre chiusa a chiave e doppia sicurezza per la cena di stasera." He said in Italian and my brows shot up suddenly.

(Make sure her room is locked at all times and double security for tonight's dinner.)

I guessed he didn't know I could speak and understand the language pretty well now as I pretended to be confused at the two men before the guard nodded and left.

"I heard you learnt quite some moves." He said and my eyes immediately trailed to his leg I had shot and stabbed that day when he chuckled.

"Yes, you were quite the shot. I'm impressed, to say the least." He said when I clutched my fork tighter.

When do I stab him?

"Should've just aimed for the head or heart instead." I said when he smirked.

"Should have, too bad." He feigned hurt when I held back an eyeroll.

"We get married in three days." He said suddenly when my fork dropped onto the plate, making a clattering sound as his eyes looked up to meet my fearful ones.

"N-no." I said weakly when he chuckled, leaning back in his seat and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Yes. All the preparations have been made. You just have to dress up and look pretty, darling." He said gesturing to the guards who were stationed outside my door.

"Take her back up, I have to leave for business." He said lazily while I tried to control my tears as I was lead back to my room like the prisoner I was, locked inside.

As soon as I was inside, I felt nauseous and ran into the bathroom, throwing up all my breakfast and slumping against the counter on the floor.

I sat there for what like forever before I pulled off the heels and threw them away, standing up weakly before brushing my teeth.

I changed into sweats and a baggy t-shirt and sitting in bed, I read one of the few books placed in the room for my entertainment.

"Oh my dear, are you okay? You look so very pale." Gabriella rushed towards me and touched her hand to my forehead before sighing in relief.

"No fever, thank god. Did you eat?" She asked.

"I did, but then I threw it all up." I said shrugging when she frowned and left my room mumbling something to herself. She returned a few minutes later with fresh juice and made me drink it.

"Thank you. Is there any news?" I asked carefully when she pursed her lips and nodded slowly.

"Mr. King has a lead on you. He's gathering his men as we speak. That tracker really worked wonders despite the large distance." She said and I frowned.

"Are we not in Rome?" I asked confused when she shook her head and pursed her lips.

"Then?" I looked at her expectantly but she shook her head.

"I can only help so much dear. But rest assured, you'll be home in no time." She squeezed my hand comfortingly as I nodded, watching her leave the room and heard the lock click and sighed heavily.

When evening approached, I was dressed up in a figure hugging black dress and matching heels, my hair pulled into a bun and a little natural make up done.

Sighing, I looked in the mirror, swallowing the lump in my throat as I stared at my reflection.

"Please be quick Nico, I love you." I murmured to myself, kissing the necklace he gave me after pressing the tracker button once more just in case before I was escorted outside by guards and into a car.

Giovanni was already in the back seat when I slid in and saw him dressed in a black suit.

"You look beautiful." He said and I mumbled a small thank you as we drove out of the mansion's driveway.

"I should tell you not to act smart with me there. Keep your mouth shut and if you speak out of line, I will make sure you don't speak ever again. Understood?" He asked and I nodded.

We stopped at a place that looked like another mansion as we stepped out. I flinched away from Giovanni when he placed a hand on the small of my back but unfortunately for me I had to return to him when I remembered his words.

I couldn't risk him getting angry so I simply ground my teeth together, repulsed by his arm around my waist as we went inside and were led upstairs to an office of sorts.

On opening the door, a few heads turned our way and I looked at the man sitting behind the desk with narrowed eyes, his face seeming familiar for some reason.

"Ah, Giovanni! What a pleasant surprise. Although more shocking to see Ace's fiancé with you." The man said when Giovanni grunted and sent him a sharp look and the man chucked.

"Not anymore, Francesco, she'll be my wife in a few days. Won't you, darling?" He looked at me raising a brow when I gulped at the dark look he sent and nodded frantically.

"Non ha una lingua?" (Doesn't she have a tongue?) The man, Francesco questioned and Giovanni chuckled as we settled on a couch.

"Lo fa, la sto solo tenendo in riga." (She does, I'm just keeping her in line.) Giovanni said smugly while I looked around the room indifferently, knowing full well what they were saying.

"Sono solo sorpreso che Ace non l'abbia messa incinta." (I'm just surprised Ace hasn't knocked her up by now.) The man said and I gulped, looking at the paintings on the walls to distract myself.

He actually did.

"Anche io. Da quanto Sofia diceva che era infatuato di lei, ero sicuro che l'avrebbe messa incinta per legarla a lui." Giovanni grunted as realization dawned on me.

(Me too. From how much Sofia said he was infatuated with her, I was sure he'd knock her up so she would be bound to him.)

He didn't know we were onto Sofia and knew she was working with him against us.

"Sì, beh, mia figlia ha un'infatuazione per Ace. Mi ha detto di sbarazzarmi di questo per sempre." (Yes, well, my daughter has an infatuation with Ace. She told me to get rid of this one for good.) He said as I held in my gasp.

This man was Sofia's father! That should explain the resemblance.

Holding in my surprised expression as more men filed into the room and everyone talked in Italian, many men throwing me lusty looks that disgusted me to my core as I willed myself not to look their way.

I even recognized a few of the men to be Nico's and realised they must be the traitors.

"Penso che il Don ci stia addosso. La sua posizione è ben nascosta? Nessun tracker?" A man who was definitely a traitor eyed me suspiciously when I frowned.

(I think the Don is onto us. Is her location well hidden? No trackers?)

"Nessun localizzatore, l'ho fatta controllare." (No trackers, I had her checked.) He said and the other man nodded.

Thank god.

They talked for nearly two hours before we were given dinner. There were only wo other women besides me, and were wives of two of the men here.

I didn't talk to them anyway since they didn't give two shits about my existence as they chatted away about fashion and the latest gossip. After dinner, we were taken back to Giovanni's mansion where I was stopped by the man himself.

"I have a proposition for you." He said as I took a seat on the chair in front of his desk in is office.

"What kind of proposition?" I raised a brow at him when he smirked.

"I'll give you a few options, you can choose whichever one you like." He said as I awaited his 'proposition'.

"Option one." He started, folding his hands in his lap as he scrutinised me.

"You marry me and I'll leave your family alone after I kill Ace." He said and I gritted my teeth.

"I will never marry you, you asshole." I said with a clenched jaw when he sighed.

"Oh well. Option two, you kill your beloved Nico and I'll let your family live." He said and my eyes widened.

What the actual-

"I won't be doing any such thing, and besides, Nico has my family protected." I said and watched his smirk widen.

"Oh really? Let's see then." He turned his laptop screen in front of me.

I gasped when I saw the front of my parent's house and surrounding it were Nico's men. but what really shook me was the fact that Giovanni's men were also there, hidden stretegically to attack.

"Option three. I'll let Ace live, but your family will die." He said as my breath got caught in my throat, tera swelling up in my eyes.

"W-why are you doing this?" I asked exasperated when he sighed.

"So much to avenge, darling." He shrugged nonchalantly before I stood up harshly.

"I won't be doing anything you ask of." I glared at him and heard his chuckle.

"Oh, you will, darling. Just you wait. He said before I was taken back to my room and locked inside.

I fell to my knees, crying as my mind raced a million miles a second as I tried o think of how bad this was going to end up.

But all I could do was pray that Nico came quick as I staggered to the bathroom, vomiting out the horrendous dinner before hanging into more comfortable clothes and getting under the covers.

Please save me Nico.