Married to the Mafia Boss

Arianna

The looming thought that I could be married off to someone I don’t even know consumes me. I can’t focus on anything else, and I just want to run away with Carmine and never look back. I know, though, that no matter how far we run, my family will find us. This isn’t the kind of life you can run away from.

I know Carmine is worried about Alessandro finding out, but I can’t help but think that my mom would know what to do. She always knows how to fix things. She always has.

She’s much stronger than people give her credit for. If I can get her on our side, she could convince my father, and then we’re pretty much on the winning side. I know Alessandro will listen to my father’s advice, even though he has stepped down as Don.

I don’t want to discuss it at home though, because who knows who will overhear us.

When I finish breakfast, I leave the dining hall and walk toward the stairs to go back to my room to mope about my current situation.

“Cup Cake,” my mother calls, and I stop and look at her, wondering if she’s read my mind.

“Why don’t we go get our hair and nails done? A full pampering session.” Helena smiles at me. “It’s been an age since we’ve spent time together.”

I smile. This is perfect timing. If I believed the universe gave signs, this would be one. “Sure, Mama, let me get into something comfortable, and I’ll be right down.”

I go upstairs and change into a pair of summer shorts and a tank top. I grab the purse I use whenever I go out with her and leave my room, almost bumping into Carmine. I grin and look up and down the hall before I peck his lips quickly. “My mom and I are going out.”

“She said,” he smiles. “Alessandro has something he wants me to take care of, so Carlos is going with you two. Be safe.”

“Of course,” I promise, giving him another quick kiss before hurrying away.

I glance back and see him grinning at me stupidly, and I feel like I am falling even more in love with him. That grin, that body, the intelligent mind contained in that head of his, there’s nothing I don’t love about him.

I meet my mother outside, and we get into the sedan together. I don’t like being driven around, but my mother doesn’t like how fast I drive, so being chauffeured is my only option.

“I’ve been thinking,” she says as we pull out of the estate. “I know you’re bored sitting at home. Why don’t you study something like Sofia is doing?”

I try not to groan. “Mom, I have studied. I took business management at university.”

“I mean something else, something that can keep you entertained.” She puts a soft hand on mine. “Something that doesn’t involve you and the family business.”

“If Alessandro would just trust me, I could prove to him what I’m capable of. Everyone seems to think I’m an airhead.” I look out the window. I don’t want to make her angry, but at the same time, I’m tired of being treated as though I’m clueless.

“You are brilliant,” my mother says. “Defiant, caring, and so much like your father. We just don’t want you to get involved in the family business. This isn’t the life we wanted for you.”

“Then why does Alessandro want to marry me off? Why can’t I choose who I’m with, then?” I ask, looking at her seriously.

The car stops outside of the salon, and we get out. With all her charms, we walk in, and my mother speaks to the front desk. “Two manicures. I want my hair washed and blow-dried. I think Arianna can use a bit of a trim. What do you think?”

I nod. “And a blow dry.”

We’re escorted to two tables next to each other. While we wait for the nail technicians, I turn to my mother. “It’s unfair that I can’t choose who and what I have in my life, Mama. What if I find someone I truly love and want to be with them, and Alessandro disapproves.”

“He probably doesn’t approve for a reason, Cup Cake,” my mother explains. “He doesn’t just decide things for no reason.”

I fidget slightly with my fingers, and she notices. “You’re not talking hypothetically, are you?”

I blush and shake my head. “There is someone I have been seeing that I know Alessandro doesn’t approve of. Neither does Papa or Dominic. If Frankie were here, I bet he’d have a shit fit too.”

“Who is it?” my mother asks immediately. “Who have you been seeing?”

“I’ve already said too much,” I try to backtrack, but my mother reaches for my hand.

“Tell me who it is, Arianna,” she says seriously, and for a moment, I’m scared of her.

“Carmine,” I say quietly, and I see a coldness in her eyes. I instantly know I’ve made a grave mistake.

“Mama, please. Promise me you won’t say anything to Papa or the boys, please. They’ll kill him.” I reach for her hand this time, but she pulls away.

“This is family business,” she says without looking at me. “I can’t not tell your father, Arianna.”

I stand. “No,” she calls after me as I rush out. I hail a taxi and give them the address to the estate. Carmine would kill me knowing I’ve left without Carlos, but I don’t care. My mother could be calling my father right now.

I try to call Carmine, but he doesn’t answer. I can only pray that he’s back at the estate and that I can find him before my family does. He needs to leave. He needs to run away and never look back. My heart is breaking with the thought that I’ll never see him again, but better than living with the knowledge that I am the reason he’s dead.

The drive feels like it takes forever before the cab pulls up to the gate. When the guards see it’s me, they let him through. I pay him generously and climb out, running into the house and calling, “Carmine?”

“Carmine?” I call again.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I dial his number, and he answers, “Hey, is everything okay?”

“No, where are you?” I can’t fight the tears for much longer.

“I’m at the house, in the back garden. Do you want me to come to get you?”

I hang up and run out the back. I find him alone, having a cigar, and I rush to him, hugging him tightly. “I’m so sorry. You need to leave. You need to run away as fast and far as possible.” I start to cry.

Carmine drops the cigar and holds me, rubbing my back. “Who knows?”

“I told my mother. I’m sorry I thought I could trust her,” I sob into his chest. “Please, Carmine, get out of here before they come for you. I couldn’t live with myself if they hurt you because of me.”

I feel Carmine tense, and he holds me tightly, “Whatever happens, it isn’t your fault? Promise me you won’t think that if anything happens.”

“But it is,” I sob.

“No, I chose to be with you. I gave in to this. This isn’t your burden. Please don’t ever think it’s your fault.”