His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 384

Aria

I got what I wanted, didn't I? Then why did I feel so guilty?

I stirred the pot as Angelo told me to, I wedged myself between Christian and Vince's friendship, as Angelo had instructed. He agreed to sell the weapons, which was great-but I never wished to see him in pain.

The look in his eyes upon hearing about Christian's words devastated me, and it took me back to reality.

Vince was a real person with feelings.

But regardless of his feelings, I did what was best for the family. So no matter how difficult it was, I tried pushing my guilt aside.

It was late at night when I returned the necklace to the empty warehouse, to the spot Vince had requested.

Once I arrived back home, it was already past midnight. I walked into the kitchen to clear my head, in the mood for a late-night snack. After all I had been through, I definitely deserved that.

"What has the privilege of going into my mouth," I sang, opening the fridge. Just as I was about to reach for something, a voice startled me. "Why are you home so late?"

I let out a yelp and turned around, noticing Vince sitting at the table with his hands flat on the surface. He had been waiting for me. I could tell. I could also tell that it wasn't a good thing.

Would he have found out the truth about the necklace?

"What are you doing up so late?" I retorted, taking a seat at the table. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"

"Aria, where were you?" I noticed the cold and doubtful look in his eyes. It was the same expression he had shown me when he scolded me about my behavior before our wedding.

"I-I was out... I needed some fresh air. I wasn't doing anything special."

Vince frowned, looking at me. "You were out?" He furrowed his brow as he spoke in a doubtful tone. "Aria, do you think I'm stupid because I'm a Garcia? Is that it?

"No, of course, you're not stup-

"Do you think!" He slammed his hand on the table, raising his voice. "Do you think I haven't been aware of what you've been doing all this time?" "I haven't been doing anything."

"So you want to tell me that if I go back to the warehouse right now, I won't see Siena's necklace on that table?"

Lying would've only made it worse, so I shook my head in response, owning up to my actions. "I was only trying to prove a point. I wanted to show you that those people do not care about you. Not like I do."

I closed my eyes, expecting him to yell at me-but he didn't. "And you did. The point has been proven."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

A breath escaped my lips as I felt grateful we could at least agree on that.

"You were following Angelo's instructions, weren't you?"

I panicked. "Yes...no."

"Yes or no?"

"I make my own decisions," I told him, feeling the need to protect Angelo. "Everything I do, every decision I make-is for you. I know you don't care about me, but I care about you, and that's why I had to show you the truth."

The confession was out of nowhere, and I didn't even know why those words left my mouth, but hopefully, it was a reasonable explanation for why I had stolen the necklace.

I sat in anticipation, awaiting Vince's next words, and I was ready to hear all of it. I was reckless, immature, stupid, evil and so on.

"I understand." Vince surprised me with his answer.

"W-What?"

"I understand... but if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I won't be able to protect you like I did today."

"Yes"

"If you ever touch something that belongs to Siena again, I won't be able to forgive you." He had a sharp look in his eyes. Siena probably meant a lot to him, and I was okay with that.

"My quarrel is not with a toddler,” I said. “But I admit, taking the necklace might not have been the best move."

"See, I am serious about selling

those weapons, but if we do-l need to know that I can trust you," Vince stated. "Angelo is not your husband. I am. So if there's something that's bothering you, or something should know about-you'll come to me.”

Despite the serious tone, I couldn't hide the big smile. “Oh, so now you want to be my husband?"

Vince squinted his eyes, silently judging me. "By the way, while you've been plotting to return the stolen necklace-

I rolled my eyes.

"I've been brainstorming all night, reading through Fabio's journals to see how he sold the products on the black market." Vince scattered several books on the table.

They were a bunch of small, old-looking journals. I reached out to grab one.

"You should read them too," Vince instructed. "It'd be nice if you could finish them by morning-

"By morning?" I gasped, seeing my life flash before my eyes. Was he insane?

"Yes, or is that a problem?" He asked. Somehow it felt like this was my punishment for stealing the necklace.

"No," I smiled. "It won't be a problem at all. I'll start now!"

"Good" Vince got up. He seemed more serious, cold, angry, and that was all because of me. The Vince who had always managed to carry a smile on his lips, even when he didn't feel like it-felt betrayed, and looked humiliated.

"Goodnight, Aria." He turned to walk away.

"Vince?" I stopped him..

He looked back. "Yes?"

"I really am sorry," I apologized. I had yet to do so, Ves, this needed to happen in order for him to put our family first, but I didn't want it to happen like this. He was

heartbroken, and it made me realize that friends could break your heart as well.

Maybe I hadn't come to that conclusion before because I didn't have any.

"You're sorry?" Vince managed to chuckle for the first time. "Don't be. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known what Christian really thinks of me."

“Have you heard something from him?” I wondered, hoping he didn't. The last thing I needed was for them to reconcile.

"Of course I haven't." Vince spoke. "Christian barely apologizes to his wife, what makes you think he'll apologize to me?" His voice was filled with hatred.

Fair point.

“But what if he would apologize for the words he said about you?" The thought couldn't leave my mind. "Would you still sell the weapons?"

“I'm not waiting for his apology, Aria.” Vince looked visibly upset. “And this isn't just about what he said about me. It's about him pointing a gun at you, my wife. I can never forgive him for that."

With that being said, Vince walked off, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I smiled from ear to ear, grabbing all the books from the table.

It took me a long time, but I felt as if there was finally some light at the end of the tunnel. Vince acknowledged me as his wife, he was quick to defend me, and he chose me over the person everyone in this silly city seemed to worship.

He cared.