Chapter 47
A R I A N A
I ran from the kitchen, my heart feeling too full, too confused as Dante’s words played over and over in my head.
A fresh start.
Take it slow.
One chance.
I didn’t know how to feel, a part of me wanted to believe him so badly it hurt and another part was screaming that it was a trick.
It was only for his devious measures and I didn’t want to gullible at least not again.
I reached my room and closed the door, leaning against it the tears I was holding back began to stream.
Happy tears?
Scared tears?
I didn’t know.
What was Dante up to? Did he want to hurt me? Was he trying to use me or he really meant what he said?
Then my phone buzzed in the pocket of Dante’s shirt.
I pulled it out, wiping my eyes It was a message from my father, what did he want now? I thought I had made it clear that I didn’t want anything to do with him, he should fuck off foe all I care.
I opened it.
It was a picture.
A dark, blurry picture but I could see enough.
A small farmilar figure tied to a chair with a man standing behind him, holding a gun to his head.
My whole world stopped.
The air left my lungs.
My hands began to shake so badly I almost dropped the phone.
No. No. No.
This couldn’t be happening.
A video started to play automatically.
The camera zoomed in on the little boy’s face. He was crying, terrified. “Mummy!” he screamed, his voice high and filled with pure fear. “Mummy, help me p>
A sob ripped from my throat as I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.
My phone started ringing immediately.
It was my father.
I answered with a trembling hand. “What have you done?” I choked out. “Please! Don’t hurt him! He’s just a child dad, please… whatever it is we can settle it!” I plead as my lips trembled
“You have one hour,” my father’s voice was cold, flat empty of any feeling. “Come to the old warehouse on the pier… alone If you tell anyone, especially Dante, I will put a bullet in your son’s head p>
The call ended.
I stood there, frozen the phone slipped from my numb fingers and clattered on the floor.
My son, Asher the one secret I had kept for years, the one soul I wake up everyday ready and strong to fight for.
How did he find him?
A wave of pure, primal terror washed over me, so strong I collapsed to my knees, I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking back and forth, silent screams tearing through my soul.
I had to go.
I had to save my baby.
I couldn’t lose him, no!
Asher needs to safe.
I scrambled to my feet, my whole body shaking rushing into the closet, I threw off Dante’s shirt and pulled on the first clothes I could find a pair of jeans and a sweater.
I rush out yanking the bedroom door open and ran out into the hallway.
I crashed right into a hard chest.
Strong hands grabbed my arms to steady me. “Ariana? What’s p>
It was Dante.
He looked down at me, his eyes full of concern. “I am sorry about before, I was too—” He stopped, his eyes narrowing as he really saw my face. “What is wrong? You are crying, you’re shaking p>
Panic seized me.
I couldn’t tell him.
My father said he would kill Asher if I told anyone.
And if Dante knew about my son, god knows what he’d do.
“Nothing!” I said, trying to pull away my voice was too high,”Let me go Dante please, I have to go p>
“Go where?” he asked, his grip tightening just a little his voice was calm, but his eyes were worried. “Talk to me, what is it? What happened p>
“It’s none of your business!” I snapped, the fear making me cruel. “Just let me go p>
I yanked my arm free with all my strength and shoved past him running off.
I heard him call my name, but I didn’t stop I flew down the stairs, through the foyer, and out the front door.
I didn’t stop running until I was far down the road, away from the mansion gates.
My chest was heaving.
Sobs were choking me.
I hailed a passing cab and jumped in, giving the driver the address of the warehouse.
I cried silently in the backseat, my face pressed against the cold window.
God please!
Let Asher be okay.
God please don’t let him hurt my baby.