Mafia's Forced Love

Chapter 4: Towards a New Life

Lily’s Point of View

After hanging up on Cora, I couldn’t resist but follow that as*hole. With his arrogant steps, he reached Austin soon. My eyes fell on Valerie and Liam. They made their way towards Austin as well. I stepped closer to listen to their conversation.

“Lorenzo! Finally, you’re here,” Austin greeted him, shaking his hand with a bright smile.

That b*stard smiled back, pulling Austin into a hug. I could hardly stand his smile! He had hurt my Cora.

“So, a new father, huh?” Lorenzo spoke, earning a chuckle from Austin.

“Austin,” Valerie’s nervous voice stopped their bromance. Austin pulled away, fixing his gaze at Valerie.

“Wife, do you remember him? Lorenzo?” Curling his arm against her waist, he spoke in a warm voice.

“Yes… will you please give us a moment?” Valerie mumbled with a small smile.

“Of course,” Lorenzo replied, taking a step towards Daniel, leaving them behind.

“What’s the matter, Valerie?” Austin questioned with creased eyebrows.

Before Val could answer, Liam responded, “it’s about Cora. She is missing since last night, Austin.” Anxiety was clearly visible in his voice.

I struggled with whether I should tell them the truth. They were her friends, and they loved her. Definitely they would help Cora with their everything. I gathered my courage and took a step, only to find out Daniel and Lorenzo heading towards Austin again.

“What’s the matter?” Daniel asked, seeing everyone in a sensed situation.

“Cora is missing, Danny… No one knows where she is…” Val almost sobbed. Shifting her gaze towards Austin, she spoke again, “please… do something…”

“Don’t be worried, wife. We will find her,” Austin comforted her, throwing a meaningful gaze at Daniel.

“No need, brother. She is fine.” Taking a small sip from his wine, that arrogant b*stard declared.

“What… what do you mean?” Valerie asked in confusion.

“Well, we came across each other last night, Valerie. And we had a little private moment. She is exhausted and resting in the hotel. I’m sure you understand what I mean.” Shamelessly he blurted.

Did he hurt her? Oh, god! Cora! What did he mean by the little private encounter? Thousands of questions were clouding my head.

“You’re joking, right?” Liam scoffed without wasting a single moment.

“Why would I?” Lorenzo replied.

“Because she is about to get engaged to her girlfriend. She has moved on and happy with her life. Why would she even consider spending a night with a man like you?” Liam yelled, gaining a lot of attention.

Lorenzo froze then and there. His eyes changed in a blink. An intimidating aura surrounded him, making others shiver. Everything about that man was screaming danger. Why on earth even Cora considered dating that mutt?

“What did you just say?” Lorenzo asserted, clenching his fist.

“It’s all true, Lorenzo.” Daniel defended Liam.

“You’re coming with me.” Austin clenched his hand, dragging him away from Valerie and Liam. Scanning the area around them once, Austin started, “what the hell is going on, Lorenzo? What did you do to Cora?”

“That’s none of your business,” Lorenzo scoffed.

“Cora saved Valerie’s life once. She is my f*cking business.” Austin raised his voice, trying to contain his anger. His desperation made Lorenzo smile.

“Stay out of it, Austin. Else the Rodriguez empire won’t survive long,” calmly Lorenzo warned him.

“You are threatening me?” Austin was about to lose his temper. The discussion became heated. My heart was racing as I continued to hear them. I could sense this Lorenzo wasn’t a normal billionaire. Something else was there, too.

“Not at all! Did I talk about taking away your little princess or selling your beautiful wife in a foreign brothel where you could never find them? That’s what we call a threat, brother. I gave you just a mere warning.” Lorenzo grinned.

With his words, my face became white. How could he even think of these? Austin stood there in silence.

“Look, Austin. Cora means a lot to me and she is never gonna leave my sight. I will never harm her. You better stay away from this and concentrate on your little family. If you do anything stupid or if she defies me, Austin, none can save her.” Lorenzo’s cold voice filled the air, bringing a shiver down my spine. That man was insane! What was he? A sociopath? God, Cora! She was in terrible danger. I left the party right away, heading towards the address she gave. I knew what to do.

Cora's Point of View

The chilly breeze entered the store from the open door, bringing a shiver to my naked legs. I was only wearing an oversized t-shirt, which I was assuming was Lorenzo's. He changed my clothes. Thank god I was still wearing undergarments. Did he do that last night? I felt disgusted even with the thought of him touching me.

How could I be so pathetic? How could I let someone drug me? All that happened because of my stupidity. Why was he back? What did he want from me?

"Are you okay, sweetie? Here, take a seat," the old shop owner spoke in a warm voice.

Well, couldn't you tell? A girl roaming on the street bare feet, half-naked. I clearly wasn't!

"I'm fine, thank you," I mumbled, swallowing my frustration, leaning on the chair she showed.

'Calm down Cora. She is just trying to be nice.' My inner self reasoned.

"Here, some water." She offered me a glass, caressing my back.

I took the glass and gulped the liquid in one go. I was thirsty and hungry, and all those were making me cranky, to be truthful. Taking a deep breath, I tried hard to regain the composure. Lily would be here soon and then I could just go and hide somewhere until that b*stard leave the country. I knew his business was in foreign lands and he would definitely not be going to stay here for long.

I used to go hiking every year when I was a kid and, on my way, I had learnt a lot about this province and the surroundings. Though never thought that would come in handy someday! If I headed toward the south, there were some cowboy towns where I could easily hide for months.

I waited for Lily to arrive. The lady was kind enough to let me hide in her small store for more than an hour. Suddenly, a bright light hit the glass walls of the store. I stood up promptly. It had to be Lily. And my assumption was right. Wait! Where did she get the car? It wasn’t hers for sure.

I stormed out of the shop. Lily stepped down from the car and I hugged her tightly. It felt as if I got back my oxygen. I was truly scared. My worst nightmare was here.

“Gosh, Cora… babe,” Lily wrapped her arms around my torso as she hushed, “I was so scared.”

Her words brought me back to reality. I had little time left.

“Lily… did you get some clothes and… and… my id?” I asked her.

“Yes… I got everything. Let’s get out of here first.” Lily cupped my face.

I got into the car and grabbed one of my hoodies from the backpack Lily had brought and sweatpants. Using the backseat as my changing room, I sat beside Lily while she was still driving.

“Where did you get the car?” There was a lot to answer. Also, I had to tell her about my plan to leave the city for a while. Hopefully, she would understand.

“Rented it… under a fake id. My friend works with the company,” she replied.

“You did what?” I was more than surprised to hear her words.

“Listen, Cora… I need to tell you something,” Lily sighed. “you can’t stay here anymore. That man, Lorenzo, he is evil. I… I don’t know... what it is… but… there’s something about him was scaring me. And above all, he has enough power to shut Rodriguez down. And that psychopath was talking about you as if… he is obsessed with you. As if you are just some trophy and… he just wants to win it…”

Her voice choked as she spoke. Sadness and pain were dropping from her voice. What exactly Lorenzo did this time? Lily wasn’t some weakling who could get frightened easily. But she was right. Something about that man screamed danger, and that was what attracted me most. I knew Rodriguez wouldn’t be able to help much. I knew I had to leave. I was planning the same.

“I know… That’s why I asked you to bring me my id and some cash, Lily.” I paused to check on her expression. Her eyes were still fixed on the road.

Exhaling deeply, I continued, “I’m leaving… for at least a few months. Until he leaves the country.”

Lily kept silent as she took a sharp turn, clenching the wheel tightly, “no, babe, it’s us leaving.”

“Wait… what?” I blurted. Was she out of her mind? How could she leave?

“Look, Cora. I didn’t propose to you just because I love you. I did it because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you… be it happiness or sorrow... like they take an oath in the church. I want that, Cora, with you. And so, we are leaving together. And don’t be worried. I have already arranged everything. My uncle has a farm, and we can easily stay there for now. And… I have already told your parents and mine that we are going for a vacation to know each other better.” She moved her head a little as she caressed my face once. “I know the time is tough, girl, but we will get through it. Together, sweetie.”

I could hardly believe what she was doing for me. She loved me so much! Would I ever be able to love her the same?

Lily kept driving us towards our new life in silence.