Married to the Mafia Boss

Sofia

I watch as they pummel the daylights out of Dominic, and I cry. I cry because Dominic killed my friend, I cry because Jose’s people now have me, and I cry that the only man who can save me is not only my friend’s killer but will probably be killed anyway.

The men take off my gag and leave the room, and I watch Dominic, who slowly raises his head. He looks at me through one bloodshot eye. The other is swollen shut and already turning black.

“You okay?” he croaks out.

“You killed my friend,” I say quietly, sniffing. “How could you do that.”

“Your friend betrayed us.” He spits a ball of blood onto the floor between us. “She called Jose’s men. She set us up.”

“That’s bullshit,” I yell, and I see him wince, but I don’t care. I keep my voice loud. I don’t care who is listening. “She wouldn’t betray me. She’s one of my best friends. She would never put me in harm’s way.”

Dominic snorts, and he grins at me. “You are naive. She probably became your friend because she has connections to the underworld-our world. You can never escape this life, Princess. You can only make do with the shit cards you’re dealt with. They probably saw you were lonely and sent your little friend along to comfort you, and all along, she’s been feeding information back to Jose.”

I shake my head, tears welling up. “No, you’re just a killer. You have no fucking heart. You don’t even have a fucking friend. What would you know about friendship?”

Dominic shakes his head. “I know about family and loyalty, and I am not stupid enough to think that this life isn’t dangerous. You can’t help that you were born your father’s child, but you can’t ignore what that means for you for the rest of your days.”

“Well, that won’t be long. I’ll kill myself before I let Jose near me,” I snap at him.

Something dangerous flashes in Dominic’s eyes, as though those words struck a chord. I look away. “I never want to see you again. You deserve to die for what you did for Carmila.”

Dominic sighs. “I can’t convince you that I got revenge for you, but I will say, Princess, I probably deserve to die. I’m not a hero. I’m not a knight in shining armor. I’m hired muscle and a hitman. That’s all I’ve ever known and all I’m ever going to be.”

I don’t say anything further to him. I don’t want to look at him. We sit there in silence, his breathing ragged. I briefly wonder if he will make it, but then I steel myself. I don’t care. He is a monster.

And I meant what I said. I’ll kill myself before I bear Jose Catalan’s children.

Three guards come in, and I watch them from underneath my eyelashes. They come directly for me. Shit.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Come on, honey. The boss wants to see you.”

“Jose is here?” I ask as they untie me.

“You’ll see soon enough,” a guard laughs darkly, and they take me by my arms and escort me out. I glance backward once over my shoulder to look at Dominic before another guard shuts the door.

I’m brought through the garden and into a house to a beautiful room with lush sofas and throw pillows. This isn’t like the other place at all, where the outside looked good, but the inside was shit. This house is clearly a residence, not a base of operations.

A man sits in an armchair, and I’m escorted to the sofa.

“Sofia,” he says with a big smile, “Do you want something to eat? Something to drink?”

“Are you…are you Jose?” I ask, confused. “Your accent sounds….”

“I’m from Argentina too. I’ll be taking over your father’s territories. My name is Amancio. We should get to know each other because we will see a lot of each other for the foreseeable future.”

I swallow hard as he pours some iced tea into a glass. “Drink, help yourself. How can I call myself your husband if I treat you like a prisoner?”

I frown. “I was told Jose is going to make me a mistress,” I reach for the glass, not wanting to anger Amancio.

“That was before. He feels you’ve been too much trouble now. He’s decided to align our houses, mine and your father’s, through our marriage, and I will take over your father’s businesses. See, Jose takes care of those who are loyal to him.”

I frown and sip my iced tea. It’s sweet. I set it back down. “And if I don’t want to marry you?”

“I’m sorry,” Amancio chuckles. “Did I give you the illusion that you had a choice?”

I swallow hard. “But don’t you want a wife that will love you, care for your every need and raise your children.”

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be doing all those things. I may seem like a friendly person, Sofia, especially because of my bright Hawaiin-themed shirts, but make no mistake. I won’t kill you quickly. I will tie you to our bed, rape you, force you to bear me children, and that’s all you will do. I won’t give you the peace of a quick death.”

I look at him, horrified. “Why…”

“Because my family has been waiting faithfully in the wings for long enough now. Perhaps you know my cousin, Bruno. He’s your father’s second in command.”

“He’s my Uncle,” I say defiantly. “He betrayed our family.”

“He’s adopted,” Amancio says calmly. “Planted in your family to grow from a seedling to a mighty tree. Now I am going to have your father and the rest of your family tortured and butchered for their betrayal, and I’m going to send your father’s head to Jose as a gift, a token of my loyalty.”

“Please, no,” I beg. “I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll marry you and have your children, and I’ll be a good wife, but please don’t kill my family.”

“I’m afraid my decision is final, Sofia. Such a pity, too. Your father really does rule the roost of Argentina.” He clicks his tongue and sips on his glass of iced tea. “I’ll be sure to rule with a more iron fist.”

“The people are loyal to my father. He isn’t soft. He’s just patriotic,” I say, sniffing.

“He’s a fool, a fool that’s going to die sooner rather than later.” he sets his glass down. “Now I imagine you’d like to have a nice relaxing hot bath and get into some proper clothes. Those definitely aren’t appropriate for someone who will be my wife.”

I look down at Carmila’s clothes and remember she’s dead.

“How did you find me?” I ask, looking up at him.

“I have little birdies everywhere, my dear,” he says, standing up. “Now I have to deal with your little Sorvino friend, put an end to that, and then I will see how much of the wedding I’ll let you plan. That should make you feel better, right? Women love planning their weddings. I promise we will spare no expense.”

I look around, looking for an exit.

“You’ll find this is a rather heavily guarded house, Sofia. I wouldn’t try to run. If I have to kill you and take your father’s territories by force, I will. Don’t try me.”