Ruby
I looked up as Massimo returned to the room, closing the door behind him, his hazel eyes dark as he looked down at me.
" Get ready, you are going back home".
My heart crumbled at his words, and the room filled with tension.
"Please, Massimo, don't send me back to my father," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "You don't understand what he'll do to me."
Massimo's jaw tightened, his gaze unwavering. "You're Angelo Vasquez's daughter, Ruby. You lied to me about who you were."
"I had to!" My voice cracked with emotion. "If he finds out I ran away, he'll marry me off to Victor. He's a monster, Massimo. I can't go back."
Massimo turned away, his silhouette a stark contrast against the dim light. "I have a deal with your father. I need his support in the war against Gustavo. I can't afford to lose that alliance."
"But at what cost?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "You're trading me like a pawn."
Massimo's sister, Eve, stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Massimo, she's telling the truth. You can't let Angelo take her. You know what he'll do, He is a very violent man"
Massimo's gaze softened slightly as he looked at his sister, but his resolve remained firm. "Eve, this is not your concern. Ruby will be safe with her father."
Eve's shoulders slumped, defeated. My hopes deflated as he dragged her out of the room.
" Massimo" I called out, he turned to look at me. " Please take care of my Mom" I pleaded.
He gave me a small nod casting one last look at me before he shut the door again.
My heart pounded as a black car pulled up in front of Massimo's house, and my father Angelo Vasquez stepped within without a triumphant look in his face.
" Welcome back, my princess" my father greeted, sarcasm dripping from his words, as he held me a little too tight in his arms, memories flooding my head at the sound of his voice.
I forced myself to stand tall, refusing to show fear. "Father," I replied.
" Let's not waste Mr Valenti's time," he turned to Massimo. " Thank you, Valenti, you don't know how happy you have made me return to my runaway daughter."
He turned, leading me out of Massimo's house.
" Angelo, What about our deal?" Massimo asked.
My father turned back to him, a small secret smile playing on his lips " Patience Valenti, Our deal is still on".
I took one last look at Massimo before I got into my father's car, tears threatening to spill from my eyes but I held myself together.
Angelo's smile faded as he grabbed her arm, his grip bruising. "Don't think you can ever defy me again. You'll marry Viktor, and you will never attempt to run away again."
My body revolted at the mention of Viktor. He had a reputation for cruelty and beating his woman and the thought of marrying him, made my blood run cold, but I had no choice.
I spent the next week preparing for my nuptials with Viktor, thankfully I had not met him since I came back to New York.
I spent my days trying wedding dresses and choosing decorations for the upcoming wedding and my nights crying in the dark alone in my room.
I lost my appetite and my face was strained from holding up fake smiles the whole week. I fantasised about running away again but my Father was more strict this time and my security was tighter than ever.
The day of the wedding arrived far too quickly. I stood in front of the mirror, my reflection a stranger in the ornate bridal gown. The room buzzed with preparations, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.
My father's voice cut through the noise as he walked into my dressing room. "Hurry up my princess. The guests are waiting." Our eyes met in the mirror.
I turned to him, unshed tears pooling in my eyes as I looked at my father.
" Please, Dad. Don't make me do this" I begged.
He wrapped his hand around my neck, cutting up my airflow as I struggled to breathe, my hands clawing at his tight grip.
" Listen to me girl" he sneered at me in anger " You walk down that aisle with a smile on your face unless I would pull your whore mother out of that hospital and leave her to die on the streets".
I took a deep breath as he released his grip and walked out of the room.
I dapped the tears from my eyes and I fixed my hair, a fake smile plastered on my face.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the nightmare ahead.
The church was filled with people, their faces a blur as I walked down the aisle. Viktor stood at the altar, his smile twisted and cruel.
As the priest began the ceremony, I zoned out counting the seconds in my head. My thoughts were interrupted by a commotion at the back of the church.
Massimo burst into the church, his face a mask of desperation. "Ruby, wait!"
The whole church gasped in shock, my heart leapt into my throat. I turned to face him, my eyes blazing with anger. "What are you doing here, Massimo?"
"I was wrong, Ruby. I can't let you marry him," Massimo pleaded, stepping closer. "Please, forgive me. Come with me, and I'll protect you."
I almost gave in, but her anger won out. "You had your chance, Massimo. Now it's too late."
" Ruby don't do this…" I turned back to Viktor ignoring Massimo.
The priest continued, reading out the vows for me I glanced at Victor, his eyes cold and calculating. I opened my mouth to say the dreaded words, but an explosion rocked the church.
Chaos erupted as Gustavo and his men stormed into the church, weapons drawn. The guests screamed and scattered, but I stood frozen in place, unmoving.
Someone gripped me as I froze in shock, Massimo pulled me towards the exit, his gun drawn out.
We made it out of the church, Massimo looked around for an escape vehicle, dragging me along as we dodged bullets.
We hid behind a broken-down car for protection as Massimo dialled a number on his phone.
" Lucas, send men to the church now" he shouted into the phone before ending the call.
" Are you hurt?" Massimo asked staring at me with concern.
" Don't act like you care Massimo" I spat at him in anger.
" Ruby, I made a huge mistake and I came back for you".
" I just want I get out of here, I don't want anything to do with you".
Before Massimo could reply, a black SUV pulled up in front of us and we got in.
Lucas was in the driver's seat " Lucas get us out of here" Massimo commanded.
" Yes Don" he replied as he drove away from the exploded church building.
I let out a breath of relief as we hit the road. My fear melted away as we got farther from the church.
" Boss there's a huge problem" Lucas announced, his voice grim and wary as he stared at the road.
I looked out of the window and I saw Gus and his men waiting for us at a roadblock just a few meters down the road.
" Run them down" Massimo ordered with determination and anger.
I held my breath as Lucas kept driving towards them at full speed, his feet hitting the pedal.
My eyes widened as one of Gus' men pulled out a bazooka, aiming at us, as we drove towards them with speed.
"Get down!" Massimo yelled.
Before anyone can react, a deafening explosion rocks the car. The SUV is hurled sideways, spinning through the air The explosion sends shards of metal and glass flying in all directions.
Time seems to slow down as my eyes dart around, taking in the chaos. Lucas is slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A sharp pain cut through my head, blood dripping down in my wedding dress.
The door is pulled open, and Gustavo appears in my eyes his eyes gleaming as he stares at me. "Well, well, what do we have here?"
Massimo moved beside me, his gun raised with shaky hands blood staining his shirt. "Let her go, Gustavo. This is between you and me."
Gustavo laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, I think I'll take her with me. She'll make a lovely bargaining chip."
Before Massimo could react, Gustavo's men grabbed me, dragging her away. I struggled, but their grip was ironclad. Her last glimpse of Massimo was of him fighting his way away from the crash clutching his side, his eyes filled with fury and regret.
I glared at Gus, my hatred burning through my eyes. "
You won't get away with this. Massimo will come for me."
Gustavo laughed again, the sound echoing through the deserted road "We'll see about that.