Rick's POV

When I left the nightclub, two Russian mafia members attacked me, using the opportunity that I was drunk and couldn't fight back. I knew their boss would sent them to kill me for revenge. Their leader's younger son killed my brother, and I made him pay for what he had done.

When they were about to kill me, Mario arrived in time and saved me, but he got shot in the fight. Fortunately, it wasn't so serious, and the doctor managed to save his life.

After that day, I knew if I didn't leave the country, I would make a lot of mistakes and put my loved ones' lives in danger. I told Angie about my decision and asked her to call me if she needed anything because I promised to her she could count on me. She tried to change my mind, but I was determined. Once Mario felt better and left the hospital, I left Sicily.

"I know you were beside yourself and most probably drunk. So I didn't ask you anything about it or argue with you. I forgave you. There is no problem between us, Ricky. So stop pushing me. I love you." She caressed my cheek tenderly.

I heaved a loud sigh, closing my eyes. "I am behind my words, Rosa. What I told you that day is true. I don't have feelings towards you. Moreover, I just want to leave the past behind me and stay away from that world," I stated firmly.

"While dating a mafia princess?" she asked sarcastically, folding her arms over her chest.

"How do you know?" I asked curiously, furrowing my eyebrows.

Yes, she could see our photo, but she couldn't know that Vanessa's father was a mafia leader. Did my father send her here to seduce me? So I went back to Sicily with him.

"I heard our fathers talking to each other," she informed me.

"It wasn't planned. I didn't know about her father before meeting her," I explained honestly.

"Now you know, but you are still with her," she commented smugly.

"Because I love her," I confessed sincerely.

Rosa gritted her teeth in frustration.

"Do you think your father will let you stay here with that girl?" she asked in a sardonic tone.

"I won't go back," I stated, determined and walked away without letting her say anything.

Vanessa's POV

"Where are you going?" Jack asked bossily, grabbing my arm when I was about to leave the mansion.

I was going to the university. A week later, my father finally let me go to the university and warned me not to try to escape from the bodyguards and meet up with Rick. So I asked Jasmine to help me to meet up with Rick at the university. I missed him so much. I looked forward to seeing him.

"It is none of your business," I replied dryly and opened the door.

He slammed the door and pushed me back against the door roughly. Then he grabbed my chin tightly and closed the distance between us.

"Are you going to meet up with that bastard?" Jack hissed.

"Let go of me! You are hurting me," I demanded, trying to push him back, but he didn't release me.

"You will dump him. Do you hear me? I don't want to see that bastard beside my fiancée. I won't let you disgrace me," he stated in an authoritative tone, sandwiching me between the door and himself.

"I won't. I love Rick," I refused firmly and tried to push him back.

"You little bitch! Don't mess up with me. You would regret it," he threatened me, tightening his grip around my chin. "I am giving you two days to break up with your bastard lover. Otherwise, I will kill him," he added and smirked devilishly.

"Don't touch Rick," I demanded nervously as fear filled my body.

"You choose. His life or..." He smirked wickedly, pulling back, and pushed me to the floor. "Two days!" he added and left, slamming the door behind him.

I burst out crying, pulling my legs against my chest, and wrapped my arms around my leg.

What am I going to do now?

I can't live without Rick. I love him so much, but I won't let anything happen to him.

There is the only choice. Rick and I have to run away and start a new life somewhere else.

I wiped my tears off my cheeks and stood up.

As soon as I met up with Rick, I told him about my idea and asked his opinion. He said I was right and it was the only choice. So we decide to run away tomorrow night.

When everyone fell asleep, I would run away, using the back door. He was going to pick me up. We planned to go to Canada. Rick suggested me that it would be better if we often changed our place. He suggested me to go to Norway after staying for a week in Canada.

"Vanessa?" When I was about to leave the university, a woman approached me. She had blonde hair and green eyes. She looked beautiful in her black mini dress.

"Do I know you?" I asked, puzzled.

"No, but I know you. I am Sandra, Jack's girlfriend," she introduced herself and checked around nervously.

"What?!" I looked at her, shocked.

"Everything has been good between us till you came into his life," she commented, irritated. "Stay away from Jack. Don't come between us. We love each other, and I am pregnant," she added firmly.

My jaw dropped in shock. I frowned after pulling myself together.

"I am not interested in Jack. He is the one who doesn't leave me alone," I stated coldly. "So it would be better if you talk about it with your lover," I added bitterly.

"He doesn't listen to me. He even forces me to get abortion because of you," she said sadly as tears shimmered in her eyes.

I sighed, feeling bad for her. "I have nothing to do with it. And believe me I would be happy if he leaves me alone," I assured her.

"I won't let him use and throw me away. I have a friend who is a journalist. She will help me about him; Jack won't be able to run away from his responsibility when everyone finds out about our baby," she stated, determined.

I breathed deeply, ruffling my hair. "Be careful. He is a dangerous man as well as his father."

She nodded and walked away. I heaved a loud sigh, ruffling my hair while thinking if I could get rid of Jack after her interview.

***

I collapsed onto my bed as I saw Sandra's photo in the news. She had a car accident yesterday, and when the ambulance arrived, she had already passed away.

I rested my hand on my heart, breathing heavily while my heart was pounding as I remembered what I heard when I came to the mansion after the university. Jack was talking to someone on the phone. His back was turned towards me. So he didn't see me. He was saying that if they handled the order and mentioned about the car braking system, but I didn't hear properly because he was talking in a low tone.

How could he do this kind of thing to the woman who he had a relationship and his own baby?! Yes, Jack wasn't the most caring man, but killing his pregnant lover... If he could do it to them, he wouldn't think twice before killing Rick. Fortunately, we were running away tonight.

***

My heart was beating faster and faster as time got closer. Rick sent me a message a few minutes ago, informing me that he was about to arrive.

As soon as I got a message from Rick, I grabbed my bag and suitcase and left the mansion quietly. When I was about to reach the back door in our garden, someone grabbed my arm, stopping me, and covered my mouth with their hand quickly, pulling me towards them.

"Don't shout, or I will kill your lover!" Jack whispered in my ear. "Did you really think you could run away from me?" he added mockingly. "Now I will release you, but you won't do anything stupid," Jack threatened me. I nodded as my eyes welled up.

As soon as he released me, I took a few steps away from him. He gave me a wicked smirk and got his phone out of his pocket. He tapped something on it and showed it to me.

My stomach knotted, and my blood ran cold as I saw a man with a sniper who was aiming his gun at Rick far away.

"You will decide now what you choose," he stated firmly. "One call and it will be your lover's ending."

I clenched my fist as tears ran down my cheeks and averted my gaze from the photo on Jack's phone.

"You have a minute to decide. If you don't break up with him now, you know what will happen to that bartender," Jack warned me firmly.