The Mafia Contract Series

WINTER

I am overawed by everything that’s happened, but this house and this woman have stunned me. It’s as if history is seeping from the walls and reaching out to pull me in. Whispers from the past accompany me along the impressive corridors as we follow silently behind a queen. The regal way she glides rather than walks tells me she’s a powerful force in this world.

Jasmine is nervous beside me, and I wonder about that. Maybe she can also sense the importance of this occasion. As we follow Nonna into a huge kitchen, I feel immediately at home in the warm and welcoming space.

A maid stands to attention, apparently shocked by the invasion and almost bows as Nonna snaps, “Maria, i miei ospiti hanno bisogno di un rinfresco. Lo prenderemo al tavolo.”

I’m not sure what she says, but the maid nods and scurries to the huge range cooker as Nonna points to the chairs set around a marble-topped table. “Excuse the informality, but sometimes a good dose of homeliness is what’s needed after a hard journey.”

“Thank you.” Jasmine sounds grateful about that, and I nod in agreement. “It’s so kind of you.”

Nonna raises her eyes. “One thing you should realize, my angel, is that I am not kind.” She laughs softly. “I am a mafia wife and kindness has no place in my world. Duty is the driving force and an acceptance of the situation, but one thing you should both learn and fast is that kindness gets you nowhere.”

I’m shocked and a little worried about that and I’m guessing Jasmine is too, because she catches my eye and smiles tentatively. Probably now isn’t the time to call Nonna out on that, so we just nod meekly and take our seats, just grateful to sit down.

Nonna sits opposite and her sharp expression makes me a little uncomfortable and then she addresses Jasmine. “You are married to a don. Does he treat you well?”

“Very well.” The slight smile on Jasmine’s face settles my heart. At least my brother loves her. It’s obvious by the sparkle in her eyes and Nonna sighs. “Young love, I had that once.”

She shakes her head. “It took a while to grow because mine was an arranged marriage and at the beginning, I fought the decision.”

This is interesting and I can sense Jasmine is as fascinated as I am as Nonna leans forward and the devilish glint in her eyes makes us both smile.

“I soon learned the power of a woman over even the strongest man, and when I wielded it, I brought him to his knees. If you like, I can educate you both, but I’m guessing you don’t need any pointers from an old and weary woman like myself.”

We make to disagree, and she laughs out loud.

“It’s fine. You don’t need my help. I already see two men who will do anything to place the happiness in your eyes. I just hope you are strong enough to deal with what happens when that light fades and they move on to the next in line.”

I’m not sure of the point of this conversation because I am already married and, according to Alessandro, my light died years ago and so I say tentatively, “Do you know my husband?”

It’s as if Voldemort is in the room because both women appear nervous and glance around them fearfully.

Jasmine reaches for my hand and Nonna sighs heavily. “Your husband is a dead man.”

“He’s dead.” I blink in disbelief, because how did I not know this?

Jasmine reaches across and squeezes my hand reassuringly as Nonna says harshly, “I understand you have lost your memory. Be prepared because when it returns, you may not like what you discover.”

She stares at me with a very hard glare. “You have been brought here to start again. My grandson is infatuated with you. He has sacrificed a great deal to set you free from your life, and you should be grateful for that.”

Jasmine says tentatively, “I don’t think now is…”

“Now is the perfect time.” Nonna peers across the table and her stone, cold stare unnerves me-a lot.

“Alessandro will be the Don of the Majerio family. It’s a title that bears great responsibility. He will need to marry well, and another man’s cast offs are not acceptable considering his position.”

“I really must…” Jasmine speaks up bravely, but Nonna holds up her hand and says harshly, “A mafia bride must be a virgin on her wedding night. The fact you’ve been married before, my dear Winter, that means you are not. So, I ask you one thing.”

“Which is?” I can guess what’s coming as she sighs and leans forward, staring deep into my eyes. “Don’t get too close. Resist him for his own sake. As I said before, choosing a mafia wife is a business decision. Nothing less. Marriage for power and a bride who will devote her entire life to continuing the line.”

“I disagree.”

Jasmine speaks up and appears angry. “I love my husband and he loves me. We are happy.”

“Was it arranged? Did he marry you for what your family could give him?” Nonna leans forward with interest as Jasmine looks away and says in a weaker voice. “Yes, but…”NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

“But nothing. I rest my case. I’m also guessing you were a virgin on your wedding night.”

Jasmine looks down and Nonna says triumphantly, “You must know that Alessandro will do whatever it takes to make you fall in love with him. I am asking you not to for his own good. He will be seen as weak among our enemies and a fool. If he takes another man’s wife, soiled goods, as they say, it will be seen as bad business. I’m sorry to be direct, but I must lay my cards on the table at the beginning before it’s too late.”

I’m not sure how I answer her, but I do, and I gather all my dignity around me and say firmly, “Your request has been noted, but you forget one thing.”

“I doubt it but continue.”

“I may have lost my memory, but I’m not stupid. Firstly, I am in no position to start anything with another man when I don’t even remember my husband. For all I know, we were in love and happy and he is out there looking for me. You say he’s dead…” I fix her with my own hard glare and snap, “Why should I believe you? I’ve never met any of you and you could be playing me for a fool. So, in answer to your question, I didn’t ask to be brought here. I don’t remember your grandson, not really, and as for falling in love and marrying into this family, I’ll pass on another wedding before I discover what happened to my husband. But one thing you should understand, Mrs. Majerio…”

“Go on.” Nonna regards me with interest as I hiss, “If I did fall in love with Alessandro, I wouldn’t let tradition get in the way of that. The life you speak of is cold and unfeeling, but I want more than that. I don’t want to be a mafia wife locked in an emotionally retarded contract just to produce the next cold-blooded killer, so if anything, I pity you making that your life’s work.”

I am fuming with anger. How dare she warn me off something that isn’t even a thing, anyway. The soft laugh beside me tells me Jasmine agrees, and I’m surprised to witness a twinkle in the eye of the woman who riled me up.

“Well said, Winter. I can see why my grandson wants you. Just consider what I said. It will become clearer the longer you spend here. You will discover how life works in Sicily and conclude I’m right. It’s nothing personal, my dear, just business. I hope you understand.”

She stands and says pleasantly, “Allow me to show you both to your respective rooms. I’m guessing you would like to freshen up, or possibly take an early night. Tomorrow will be a brighter day for everyone and Winter…”

She smiles as if she’s the sweetest old woman in the world. “Anything you need, come and find me. I want your stay here to be a good one, despite what you’ve just heard.”

As we follow her out, Jasmine rubs my arm in a show of solidarity, and I offer her a tremulous smile. That was a battle I wasn’t expecting, and she could have probably saved her words because until I find Winter, I’m in no position to fall in love with anyone, even my gorgeous friend who has somehow been my guiding light through the madness.

Yes, there is something about Alessandro Majerio that is telling me that I have arrived in the middle of our story, and I wonder what the ending will bring.