The Mafia King's contract

Chapter 4: The Roses Have Thron

The white roses were still on my table when I woke up.

No card. Just 12 perfect white roses.

And that text from *"A"*: _Stay away from the press today._

I didn’t, because I needed to sign Deborah papers

By 9 AM, my face was everywhere.

*"WHO IS MRS. MORETTI?"*

*"BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET WIFE REVEALED"*

Paparazzi were camped outside the Hamptons gates. Outside Brooklyn General where Deborah was.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number again.

*"Get in the car. Now. - A"*

A black SUV was waiting at the gate. Alessandro was already inside, on his phone. He looked up when I got in and hung up immediately.

“You weren’t supposed to go out,” he said. No hello.

“The nurses needed me to sign papers for Deborah, is that bad.

He dragged a hand down his face. He looked tired. Angry. Don't talk to me that way, “You don’t understand how dangerous this is, Annabel.”

“Then explain it to me.”

I can't

Why

You won't understand

I wasn't able to talk again

Instead we drove in silence to *Moretti Tower in Manhattan*. 60 floors of glass and power. The moment we stepped out, cameras flashed.

“Mr. Moretti! Is it true you married for business?”

“Mrs. Moretti! How long have you known each other?”

Everyone was waiting to see

Alessandro’s hand found mine. Tight. Possessive.

He lifted it and kissed my knuckles right in front of everyone.

I was surprised but I couldn't say anything

My breath caught. That wasn’t in the contract either.

Inside the elevator, the second the doors closed, he let go like I burned him.

“Don’t read the comments,” he said.

“Don’t talk to anyone.”

“And stay close to me today.”

“Why?”

“Because my enemies now know your name.”

The word _enemies_ made my stomach drop.

I was afraid, but I trusted him I was kinda happy for the kiss but I couldn't say anything

Then we reached his office.

His office was all black and gold. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking all of New York.

He went straight to his desk and started barking orders in Italian.

I sat on the leather couch and tried not to look lost.

But I was lost

An hour later, his assistant brought in lunch. And with it, a small black box.

“For Mrs. Moretti,” the assistant said and left.

Inside the box was a diamond necklace. Simple. Cold. Millions of dollars.

I was surprised

Then I saw a note in that same sharp handwriting:

*"Wear this tonight. Gala at 8. Don’t be late."*

No "I’m sorry". No "Are you okay". No" sorry for the kiss

Just orders.

That night at the gala, the necklace felt like a chain around my throat.

I have never wear such a thing, my neck felt cold

But

Alessandro was different. Colder. He barely looked at me. But his hand never left my back. Anytime a man got too close, his grip tightened.

I was surprised, my waist felt cold, but I f*****g love it

Halfway through the night, a man approached us. Older. Italian. Scar across his jaw.

“Alessandro,” the man said. “We need to talk. About your... wife.”

I was surprised

Alessandro stepped in front of me instantly. “She has nothing to do with this, Vincente.”

“Everything to do with it now.” Vincente smiled at me. It wasn’t nice. “Pretty thing. Shame if something happened to her. Or to her sick sister.”

My blood went cold. He knew about Deborah.

I was afraid

Alessandro’s whole body went rigid. When he spoke, his voice was deathly quiet.

“Touch her, and I will end you.”

Vincente laughed and walked away.

I was shaking. Alessandro turned to me. For a second, the mask dropped.

I saw worry. Real worry.

“Annabel—”

Gunshot.

Screams. People running.

Alessandro grabbed me and pulled me to the floor, covering me with his body. His arms were steel around me.

“Stay down,” he whispered in my ear. His breath was shaky. “I’ve got you.”

For 10 seconds the world was chaos.

For 10 seconds, all I could feel was him. His weight. His heartbeat. His hand in my hair.

His fragrance,

When the security cleared it, he pulled back and checked me over. Hands on my face, my arms.

“Are you hurt? Did they touch you?”

I was surprised, then I said

“I’m okay,” I whispered.

He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for years.

Then the mask was back.

I felt like he was afraid of me getting hurt

“Get her out of here,” he told his guards. “Now.”

In the car, he wouldn’t look at me.

“You’re going back to the Hamptons. With 24/7 security.”

“Alessandro—”

“This was a mistake.” He finally looked at me. Gray eyes stormy. “You. Me. This contract. It’s putting you in danger and I don't want you to get hurt

He smirk

My chest hurt. “So what? You’re calling it off?”

No

“I’m protecting you.”

“That’s not your choice to make.”

He slammed his hand on the seat. “DAMN IT, ANNABEL! The man tonight? He runs guns. He will kill you to get to me!”

Silence.

We pulled up to the mansion. He got out first.

Before I went inside, I turned back. “Was the kiss at the first gala fake too?”

I didn't know

I was f*****g thinking

He stopped. Didn’t turn around.

“Go inside, Annabel.”

I did. But not before I saw his hands.

They were shaking.

Upstairs, the white roses were gone.

In their place was a single red rose.

And a note:

*"I’m sorry. - A"*

He was scared.

And for the first time, I think he was scared _for me_.