Chapter 78 - James Santelmo Part 1

"Judging from the look on your face, you already knew who I was." The man smirked.

Nina gulped and felt her lips trembling. She glanced in the direction where Andrew was to see if he was looking at her. She felt relieved that he was busy talking to the woman.

"Relax. I won't do anything to you, my future wife." He said.

Nina wanted to run away from the man, but he held her tightly on her waist, either making sure that she would not fall or she wouldn't escape from his hands.

"You should let go of me now. If my husband suspects anything, it might ruin your father's plans." She whispered.

He chuckled. Nina's eyes widened when James suddenly leaned forward and whispered something in her ear.

"If I were you, you should hide now." He said before leaving Nina dumbfounded.

Her knees were shaking, and she felt like her whole body was so cold. Nina tried to calm down and pretended to be okay. She should not fail now after six years of deceiving her friends. She was determined to finish what she had started.

Nina and her friends were in the middle of the hall, laughing with each other. They were interrupted by a loud clap coming from the entrance. Nina's heart pounded, and she knew the attack had started.

It was the time they were all anticipating. They looked at the person who stole the spotlight and saw a man who looked like in his early thirties. It was Alejandro Rossi.

He was about the same height as Luke with a pair of black eyes, pointed nose, and downturned lips. He actually looked decent and ordinary. Nina thought to herself.

When he was just a few steps away from the throne, the royal guards stopped him. He raised his hands in surrender, but four men rushed behind him, dressed as guests.

"I just wanted to greet the new king." He said in a casual tone.

Nina felt a warm hand hold her. She glanced at Andrew and felt relieved to see him.

"I believe you have to ask an audience to the king first." Someone from the royal family told Alejandro.

"Hmm. And I believe the new King would grant me an audience, right?" Alejandro answered.

Alejandro stood staring directly at Kyle. He didn't even bow or pay his respect to the newly crowned King and Queen. He didn't care if he was in front of the royal family.

The Mafia planned to convince or capture the King and Queen then threaten Peggy. As next in line to the throne, Peggy was the best choice to take control of Flousia. Alehandro would force her to marry him in exchange for her family's life.

Nina didn't understand what was happening. She felt like she was deaf the whole time. She was there, but her mind drifted off. She was the one who gave all the information to the Mafia. It was her fault that they were in that mess.

The next thing Nina knew, guns fired on both sides, and they were running towards the shelter. Before she left the throne room, she glanced at Andrew, who was fighting two men.

"Go! Run!" He yelled at her.

Her knees were shaking, but she had to do what Paolo ordered. Nina wasn't sure if Alejandro's men knew that she was working with Paolo. She didn't even know how she could trust the Santelmo's, but the only thing in her mind was to finish it all and save Andrew's mother.

She saw Alora and the others head to the shelter. She was ordered to look for Paolo's men then take them to the shelter. Their target was Emily, the Queen.

"Nina? What's wrong? Why are you standing there?" Emily called her.

Nina saw Alora and Sophie were already inside, including the rest of the royal family. She was standing by the door, and they were confused why she didn't go inside.

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave Andrew." She said.

Nina was about to turn around when Alora grabbed her hand, pulling her inside the shelter. She couldn't do anything anymore when the door closed.

She kept on looking at her watch. She needed to get out of the shelter as soon as possible. Paolo instructed and threatened her that if she failed, they would kill Andrew's mom. She was pacing back and forth, thinking of a way to get out of the shelter.

She only had half an hour left, and it seemed that she wouldn't be able to make it. 

Then they were surprised when the door opened, and it was Peggy with Caden and Alira. 

"Alira!" It was Lucas who called his twin sister.

Alira ran towards her mom and jumped into her arms. Alora was relieved to see her daughter safe. Nina was also glad to see the kids were fine.

"Your Majesty!" Peggy called Emily.

Nina saw Emily hug Peggy. She got closer to them to listen to their conversation.

"I'm so glad you're safe." Emily murmured.

"Me too. But can you take care of Caden for me?" Peggy suddenly asked.

Emily had a frown on her face, and so did Nina. 

"Peggy, what are you planning to do?" Emily asked.

The rest of the girls heard the conversation and walked towards them.

"I need to go there. To Jayden. I can't just sit here while he is risking his life for me, for us." Peggy exclaimed while biting her lips.

"This is the plan, Peggy. We stay here and wait. If you go out there and something happens to you, everything will go to waste. Don't be selfish! You are not the only one who's waiting for the man you love." Nina almost yelled.

Peggy wasn't supposed to go out there. It wasn't the plan. She had to be the one to go out of the shelter. But Peggy insisted and, in the end, left them.

But before the door closed, Nina was able to run outside. She heard Emily and the others calling her name, but she didn't look back.. She went to look for Peggy, but she wasn't there anymore.