{"id":1613,"date":"2026-10-23T10:25:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T10:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/?p=1613"},"modified":"2026-10-23T10:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T10:25:17","slug":"he-married-the-wrong-bride-by-mistake-but-when-the-mafia-boss-saw-her-hidden-scars-everything-changed-and-he-began-breaking-every-rule-he-had-ever-lived-by","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/?p=1613","title":{"rendered":"He Married the Wrong Bride by Mistake\u2014But When the Mafia Boss Saw Her Hidden Scars, Everything Changed, and He Began Breaking Every Rule He Had Ever Lived By."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chapter 1: The Bride Who Wasn\u2019t Penelope<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia Hastings\u2019s knees failed before Adrian Rossi could decide whether he believed her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One second she was standing in the center of his library, drowning inside an expensive white wedding dress that had never belonged to her. The next, all the color disappeared from her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her body folded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian moved before any of his men did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He caught her around the waist inches before her head struck the corner of the mahogany desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The whiskey glass he had been holding crashed onto the carpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEasy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"759\" src=\"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-176.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1614\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-176.png 494w, https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-176-195x300.png 195w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word came from him almost involuntarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia made a frightened sound and immediately twisted away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon\u2019t touch me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had spent most of his adult life being feared. Men twice Amelia\u2019s size had lowered their eyes when he entered rooms. Politicians changed schedules when his name appeared on a guest list. Rivals had learned that Adrian Rossi rarely needed to raise his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the terror in Amelia\u2019s face was different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did not look at him as though he were powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked at him as though she expected pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not hurting you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her breathing became faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She crossed one arm over her stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The movement caught his attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because it was dramatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because it was instinctive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the torn neckline of the wedding gown slipped down her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stopped breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Firelight moved across Amelia\u2019s bare upper back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were scars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not fresh wounds. Nothing bloody. Nothing that belonged to tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thin pale lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several raised scars crossing one shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A darker mark near the base of her neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evidence that someone had hurt her repeatedly enough for her body to remember after the pain itself should have been gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Adrian\u2019s bodyguards looked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other stared at the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian had seen violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had ordered violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had grown up in a world where men sometimes treated cruelty as a language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet something about those scars made the entire library become unnaturally quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia realized what he was seeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humiliation crossed her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She pulled the ruined gown upward and turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s voice became dangerously calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho did that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmelia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her head snapped toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was the first time he had used her name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow do you know my name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou told me you weren\u2019t Penelope. I\u2019m assuming you have one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her lips trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmelia Hastings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hastings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian searched his memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He knew the Harrington family structure almost as well as he knew his own enemies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arthur Harrington had married Evelyn Hastings twenty years earlier. Evelyn had arrived with a daughter from a brief relationship Arthur never publicly acknowledged. When Evelyn died, the girl disappeared from society pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian remembered seeing her name once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inconvenient stepdaughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re Harrington\u2019s stepdaughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOnly when he needs something from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s eyes hardened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd tonight he needed you wearing Penelope\u2019s dress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe wanted to see how it looked beneath the chandeliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia gave a broken laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m almost the same size. That was apparently enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian turned slowly toward the four men who had carried out the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou entered the bridal suite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, boss,\u201d Marco answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou were given photographs of Penelope Harrington.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPenelope Harrington has dark hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco swallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian pointed toward Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe is blonde.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe is also clearly not Penelope Harrington.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe had less than thirty seconds. The hotel security\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGet out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAdrian\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The men disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only Luca and Matteo, Adrian\u2019s two closest guards, remained near the library doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia was swaying again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also noticed she had no shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One bare foot was bleeding slightly where the rough service staircase had cut her heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He reached for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She recoiled so violently she nearly fell again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian lowered his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That frightened her almost as much as the attempted touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stepped away instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don\u2019t want me near you. Understood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most men in her life had treated boundaries as challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian treating one as an instruction confused her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked toward Matteo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCall Dr. Morelli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia went pale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou nearly collapsed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou are barefoot, bleeding and barely standing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI said I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian studied her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was something behind her refusal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not stubbornness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou think I\u2019m going to have someone examine you without permission?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her eyes moved toward the guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then toward the locked doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian followed her gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She was still a prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It did not matter whether he considered himself better than whoever had scarred her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His men had broken into a hotel, covered her head and transported her two hours against her will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From Amelia\u2019s perspective, he had no moral ground from which to demand trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian walked to the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He opened them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he removed the key from the inside lock and placed it on the table beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe door stays unlocked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou kidnapped me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy men kidnapped you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat distinction probably matters more to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first time that evening, Adrian had no immediate response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He turned to Matteo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBring water. Food. Something warm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Adrian removed his suit jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia tensed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He simply placed it across the back of a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor your shoulders, if you want it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did not move toward it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian walked toward the fireplace and stopped at a deliberate distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat happened tonight was a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou kidnapped the wrong woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat happens when a man like you makes a mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His jaw shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUsually someone pays for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her eyes filled with fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian understood her meaning a second too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked unconvinced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have no value to Arthur Harrington.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat may be true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her face crumpled slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian immediately regretted the words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He changed his approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut that does not make you disposable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don\u2019t know my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo. I know exactly enough about your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The library doors opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matteo entered with a tray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He placed it on the table and left without approaching Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She stared at the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian saw hunger before she hid it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen did you last eat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her shoulders tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian corrected himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That earned him the smallest surprised glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia took the water first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her hands were shaking so badly that the glass struck her teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She drank anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minutes passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, Amelia ate several spoonfuls of soup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Color slowly returned to her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then headlights appeared beyond the library windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A black sedan came through the estate gates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe doctor,\u201d Adrian said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia immediately stopped eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stepped closer but maintained several feet between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou choose what she does. She asks before touching you. If you tell her to leave, she leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDr. Isabella Morelli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the doctor entered ten minutes later, she was a silver-haired woman in her fifties carrying a medical bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked first at Adrian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then at Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then at the destroyed wedding dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m going to need more context than usual.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLater,\u201d Adrian said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli ignored him and approached Amelia slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy name is Isabella. May I sit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The doctor sat across from her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid you fall?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy knees gave out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid you hit your head?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAny pain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDizziness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNausea?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A longer pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli glanced at Adrian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then back at Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs there any chance you might be pregnant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian saw Amelia\u2019s hand move over her stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entire night rearranged itself inside his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way she protected her abdomen in the SUV, according to Marco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nausea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s eyes filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTen weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes the father know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fear returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat isn\u2019t a medical question,\u201d she said sharply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian backed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli examined Amelia privately behind the closed guest-room doors twenty minutes later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian remained in the corridor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He did not know why he stayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps because he had made an enemy of many men, but kidnapping a pregnant woman wearing somebody else\u2019s wedding dress might have been the most spectacular operational failure of his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bedroom door opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli stepped out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe and the baby appear stable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian exhaled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut she is dehydrated, underweight and dangerously stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The doctor studied him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe has injuries in various stages of healing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian went completely still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRecent?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is Amelia\u2019s information to share.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIsabella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo not use that voice with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She stared back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Few people dared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhatever situation that woman came from, fear has become normal to her. She flinches before anyone touches her. She apologizes when she asks for water. When I told her she could close the door, she asked whether she was allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian looked toward the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His anger became colder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKeep her here tonight,\u201d Isabella said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s not leaving until\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The doctor\u2019s expression sharpened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian corrected himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe can stay as long as she chooses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBetter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before leaving, Isabella lowered her voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you are responsible for any of those marks\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That should have relieved him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After midnight Adrian returned to the library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shattered whiskey glass had been removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The velvet kidnapping hood had not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stared at it on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His telephone rang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe contacted Harrington anonymously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe knows someone was taken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes he believe Penelope is missing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPenelope returned to the ballroom six minutes after our team left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd Amelia?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMarco.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHarrington knows we took Amelia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Marco repeated Arthur Harrington\u2019s exact words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf Rossi wants that girl, he can keep her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something inside Adrian became very still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe said that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWord for word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd Sebastian Croft?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe didn\u2019t mention him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian remembered the scars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFind out everything about Sebastian Croft.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He ended the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind him, fabric moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia stood in the doorway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morelli had found her a simple robe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had heard enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her face was pale, but she did not seem surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy stepfather really said that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian could have lied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, he answered quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia closed her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A tear slipped down her cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian expected her to collapse again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She wiped it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then she looked at the man who had ordered her abduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe father of my baby is Sebastian Croft.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s voice became barely audible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd he\u2019s the man who gave me those scars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chapter 2 &#8211; The Name Behind the Scars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"485\" height=\"764\" src=\"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-177.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1615\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-177.png 485w, https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-177-190x300.png 190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br><\/strong>Adrian Rossi had spent years perfecting the art of controlled anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Control was survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father had been the opposite\u2014a volatile man who threw glasses, shouted threats and sometimes created enemies simply because he enjoyed watching people fear him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian had learned early that rage was most dangerous when nobody could see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So when Amelia told him Sebastian Croft had scarred her back, Adrian did not smash the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He did not call his soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He did not make promises about what would happen to Sebastian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He simply pulled out a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSit down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian caught himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That word seemed strange coming from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apparently it seemed strange to Amelia too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian remained across the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes Sebastian know about the pregnancy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes your family?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy were you at the wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause Arthur ordered me to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe controls where you go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe controls almost everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s fingers tightened around the robe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy mother died when I was nineteen. She left me money, but Arthur became trustee because I was still in college. Somehow there was always another legal reason I couldn\u2019t access it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re twenty-eight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd Sebastian?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cArthur introduced us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian understood immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not romance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSebastian manages Harrington investments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow long have you been with him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThree years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd how long has he been hurting you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked at the fireplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe first time was six months after I moved in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian did not ask for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He surprised himself by not wanting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because he did not care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because Amelia\u2019s face told him she had already been forced to relive them enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you leave?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A bitter smile crossed her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe first time he froze my accounts. He found me in a hotel in Connecticut before midnight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe second?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe threatened someone who helped me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy friend Nora. She works at a bookstore in Queens. Sebastian sent her photographs of her apartment building and her little brother walking home from school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian leaned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo you returned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thought if I stayed, he would leave them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was going to try again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She explained the burner telephone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The duffel bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bus ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A route out of New York under another name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had intended to disappear before Sebastian noticed she was carrying his child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy the bus?\u201d Adrian asked. \u201cAirport would have been faster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAirports have cameras.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian almost smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCash?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEnough for three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hadn\u2019t decided.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you had told anyone a destination, Sebastian could have found it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou sound like you\u2019ve done this before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have helped people disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUsually because someone wanted them dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian almost smiled again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead he said, \u201cYour burner phone. Where is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the bridal suite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInside the lining of my duffel bag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnything on it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her silence answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmelia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI found records.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat records?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou kidnapped me six hours ago. You don\u2019t get every secret because you suddenly decided to be polite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he sat back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is fair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, she looked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He pulled out his telephone and called Marco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI want the hotel security feeds, every employee entrance, every Harrington vehicle and every person who entered Bridal Suite Three-Twelve after our team left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlready working on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd locate a duffel bag belonging to Amelia Hastings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the table, Amelia went rigid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian added, \u201cDo not touch the contents if you find it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco sounded confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause it isn\u2019t ours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He hung up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked at him for several seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou really expect me to believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause trust demanded from a prisoner is meaningless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word prisoner landed between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian hated how accurate it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He reached into his pocket and placed his telephone on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCall anyone you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s unlocked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re giving me your phone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if I call the police?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen you call the police.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd tell them Adrian Rossi kidnapped me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf that is what you choose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She searched his face for a trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her hand moved slowly toward the phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She called Nora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The moment her friend answered, Amelia turned away and covered her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNora?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A burst of sound came from the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia started crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He walked to the far side of the library to give her privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He caught fragments anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, Sebastian wasn\u2019t with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, something happened at the wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, she couldn\u2019t explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please don\u2019t contact Sebastian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please don\u2019t tell anyone where she was because even Amelia did not know the exact location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When she finished, she held the phone with both hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKeep it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour phone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou really aren\u2019t worried I\u2019ll call the police?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmelia, if I were afraid of police knowing my name, I chose the wrong profession.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That unexpectedly produced a sound from her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not quite laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It disappeared quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morning arrived gray and wet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By seven, the Rossi estate was awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia had slept perhaps two hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When she entered the breakfast room, she expected armed guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were none inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian stood near the windows in shirtsleeves, reading files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked different without the suit jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less like the infamous crime boss from newspaper photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A folder lay open beside his coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSebastian Croft,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian gestured toward the chair across from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, he added, \u201cIf you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s thirty-six,\u201d Adrian continued. \u201cInvestment banker. Dartmouth. Wharton. Three shell companies in Delaware, two foundations, extensive political donations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou investigated him overnight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy people work quickly when motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian turned one page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwo former girlfriends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOne left New York suddenly six years ago. The other filed for a restraining order that disappeared forty-eight hours later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her face changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou found that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI find things people pay to bury.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian closed the folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cArthur Harrington\u2019s lawyers handled the second case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia was silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo Arthur knew,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPossibly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her certainty made Adrian\u2019s stomach tighten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe knew Sebastian was dangerous before he introduced us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian watched the realization wound her more deeply than he expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia had probably spent years convincing herself Arthur was indifferent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indifference was easier to survive than deliberate betrayal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A knock came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe found the bag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia stood so quickly her chair scraped the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStill at the Plaza. Housekeeping moved personal belongings into hotel security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSebastian?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s been asking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian looked at Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat\u2019s on the phone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then finally decided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat Sebastian has been laundering money through Harrington construction projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s expression sharpened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. Hundreds of millions, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho else?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJudges. City officials. Developers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd Arthur?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHis signature appears on dozens of documents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was no longer personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This could destroy Harrington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe half the network of politicians protecting him too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow did you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSebastian drinks when he thinks he\u2019s won.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s voice hardened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOne night he fell asleep with his office unlocked. I copied whatever I could.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI needed insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes he know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A telephone vibrated on Adrian\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco looked at the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then at Amelia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBoss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSebastian Croft just reported Amelia missing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s telling police she suffers from severe emotional instability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia closed her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe also claims she may have stolen confidential financial information during a mental-health episode.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian almost admired the speed of the strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sebastian was not searching for his missing girlfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was discrediting a witness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat else?\u201d Adrian asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe told detectives she\u2019s pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia\u2019s eyes opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All the blood drained from her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe knows?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marco nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApparently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amelia grabbed the edge of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian moved toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did not flinch this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe knows,\u201d she whispered. \u201cIf he knows, he\u2019ll never stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian\u2019s voice became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe stops when you decide he stops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don\u2019t understand Sebastian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adrian looked through the rain-darkened window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut Sebastian is about to understand me.\u201d<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Chapter 1: The Bride Who Wasn\u2019t Penelope Amelia Hastings\u2019s knees failed before Adrian Rossi could decide whether he believed her. One second she was standing <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/?p=1613\" title=\"He Married the Wrong Bride by Mistake\u2014But When the Mafia Boss Saw Her Hidden Scars, Everything Changed, and He Began Breaking Every Rule He Had Ever Lived By.\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-model","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1613"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1616,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1613\/revisions\/1616"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingworlds.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}