Chapter 130

[ALEX]

Although I hated that my parents were thrust into the center of the dangerous world I was trying to protect them from, my mother was a godsend the following week. My wife refused to speak to anyone except her. A week passed before Mia was sent home, and the only person she allowed near her was my mother and occasionally Lana. Not me. Never me.

I'll never forget how her body visibly shuddered the day I brought her home. She didn't look at me once during the entire drive, and it broke my heart. Her eyes welled up every time I tried to visit, so I had to wait until her painkillers knocked her out before sitting next to her.

I think my father wanted to berate me, but seeing my state stopped him. Even Aurora called to ask about Mia, though I knew it pained her to not tell me she would hate me forever for getting married without inviting her.

That evening, I stood outside Mia's room after we brought her home; even the increased security and the absurd number of guards and soldiers didn't feel like enough. My mother was inside, saying goodnight. The most frustrating part was that my mom refused to tell me anything they talked about—only assuring me she wouldn't discuss what happened during her abduction. I almost considered flying my sister in; at least she'd fill me in on their conversations.

Not to mention, Dominic was in a coma. He suffered severe head injuries and a gunshot wound, resulting in blood loss, shock, and ultimately, a coma. The two people who knew what happened and could tell me wouldn't. The audacity of him still not waking up! It devastated me not knowing what they did to my wife, what she endured, especially since she wouldn't talk about it—not to me, my mother, or even the therapist I forced to see her for an hour every day.

Sometimes she just stared at the therapist. Once, she even fell asleep. My stubborn wife.

“Did Damien demote you from strategist to soldier?” My father quipped, and I turned around to give him a dry look.

“Very funny,” I said, trying not to glare. Mafia or not, my father could still make my life miserable, just as he could Damien's. “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for my wife,” he replied, “who’s currently inside with your wife. You know, the one you married without telling any of us.”

I should have seen this coming now that Mia was out of the hospital. I sighed. “Dad…”

“Save it, Alex,” my father said pointedly. “Your mother burst into tears, wondering if we’d let you get too far out of hand by always letting you follow your own mind. She questioned if she was doing something wrong as a mother.”

I exhaled sharply. “You guys are the best parents in the world, alright?” I told him. “The best.”

“I know that,” he replied smugly. “Your mother tends to forget that when you act like an insolent punk.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “Like I told you before, everything happened so fast.”

“Maybe it shouldn't have, because your wife wouldn't even look at you,” he glared. “Tell me you didn't drag the poor girl kicking and screaming to the altar.”

I remained silent.

“Alex Whitlock, I swear to God, if you forced her into this marriage, it will be your last day alive.” His voice rose, and I grimaced.

“From what I was told, you forced Mom into a marriage too. In fact, you made her sign a contract,” I retorted. “So much for a love marriage, huh?”

My dad’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you that?”

“Does it matter?” I replied smugly.

“Fucking Damien,” he cursed under his breath before feigning a glare. I loved watching the always-composed Gabriel Whitlock squirm. This was fun. “I didn’t force her, and we did fall in love… eventually.”

“From what I hear, you weren’t even there when Aurora and I were born. You arrived the next day.”

“You little—” His voice trailed off as my mom emerged from the room.

“She’s asleep,” she told me before turning to her husband. “What are you doing here, Gabriel?”

“Your son was just explaining the circumstances of his marriage. Turns out, it’s not his fault we weren’t invited. It really did happen fast,” my dad conceded grudgingly, and I tried to hide the smirk spreading across my face. Did I just emotionally blackmail my dad?

“Oh, Alex,” my mom said sympathetically, hugging me. “Tell me everything tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay, Mama,” I replied, playing the innocent boy, and my father glared at me.

“I’m just going to freshen up. Come soon,” she told her husband, then went to her room after wishing me goodnight.

“I’ll let this pass if you let the rest pass,” my dad bargained. “However, if she wants out, you let her go. I raised you better than that. Deal?”

I smiled for the first time in days—a wide smile that reached my eyes. “Deal.”

“And you don’t tell your sister a word about it,” he warned.

“Favorite kid, huh?”

“My only daughter.”

“Ouch.” I grinned as he playfully hit the back of my neck and left.

My smile vanished as soon as he was gone, and a long sigh escaped me as I grabbed the files on the Italian mobs I’d been studying day and night, then entered Mia’s room to do what I do every night: sit by her side and convince myself she’s real, she’s okay, and she’s mine.