Married to the Mafia Boss

Miguel

I sit in my office with my hand stinging from hitting her. I hit her. I’ve never hit a woman before that didn’t want it. I certainly never hit her when we were together. I stare at my hand, and I shake my head. I warned her. How many times had I warned her?

I light a cigar and move to sit in front of the open window that overlooks the garden, and I remember. I remember what it was like the first time I ever saw her.

Thirteen Years Earlier

University has been the best escape from my father. It’s the best idea-he wants me to have an education, and I want to be anywhere he isn’t. It’s a win-win situation.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

Classes are interesting enough. There’s so much to learn, but even better are all the women on campus. I’ve certainly flirted with my fair share of them, but they’re all the same-cookie-cutter girls looking for an American boy to build an American life with.

I am in one of the top frat houses, but I suffered for it. My first year of university was hell on Earth. I was the greasy Italian kid until one frat boy took it too far, and some of my cousins paid him a visit.

Since then, I’ve quickly risen in popularity, and everyone knows I throw the best parties around town.

Today is no exception to the other happy days I’m enjoying. I sit in my Economics class, listening to the professor drone on and on. I’ve already taken down the notes for this class, it’s almost finished, and then I’m free for the remainder of the day.

The bell sounds, and the professor yells out reminders about upcoming tests over the noise. I pack away my laptop into my backpack and throw it over my shoulder. I run a hand through my hair and follow the throng of people out of the lecture hall.

Outside it’s a beautiful sunny day, and my friend Jeremy waits for me. He’s been nagging me to get in with my family even though I’ve warned him that it isn’t the kind of life people want. He insists, so maybe in summer, I’ll invite him over to the beach house and introduce him to my father.

Jeremy slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Interesting lecture?”

I shake my head. “Easy enough, didn’t really have to use the old brain to work out what the professor was talking about.”

“That’s cause you’re too smart for your own good, Miggie.” I hate that nickname, but everyone calls me Miggie on campus. My father would have a coronary if he heard it. Miggie doesn’t command respect. Miggie doesn’t instill a sense of importance.

“I named you Miguel after a strong man in our family for a reason!” That’s what my padre would say if he heard what people called me. I’d have to tell Jeremy not to use that name when we’re at the beach house, or my father will do worse things to him than not let him in the family. He’d probably do worse things to me too.

We step onto the grass outside the main building and walk toward the courtyard, where everyone has lunch. A few of the frat brothers are meeting us there, and from there, we’re going to decide what we’re doing for lunch.

The loud and obnoxious groups of Delta Kapa Delta’s can be heard from far away at the noise level they’re at. I smile as they all start smacking me on the back in their aggressive greeting. It’s how they show they care about you in a very manly way. None of them would cop to that, though. I certainly wouldn’t.

“What’s for lunch, boys?” I ask, sitting on a stone table that they’ve surrounded.

“I need to carbo-load, so I say pizza from Capizzi. We can get two each and see who finishes the fastest.”

“Capizzi’s makes decent food. I won’t lie. But I’m not buying today. It’s someone else’s turn. You guys arm wrestle and see who’s paying.”

I move off the table, and immediately they start challenging each other. I feel so powerful when I get them to do what I want. I glance around the courtyard and am about to issue my own challenge when I see her.

She’s definitely Italian, with dark hair that falls in luscious thick curls from her head. Her nose is stuck in a book, so I can’t see her eye color, but she’s got a nice body covered in curves. My brain is already picturing those in just lingerie.

“Boys, I’ll be back,” I call. They all glance at me and then start wolf-whistling, cheering me on. I ignore them. Running a hand through my hair, I go over to where she is.

“Can I join you?” I ask, smiling widely.

She doesn’t even look up. “No.”

I frown. “That’s not very friendly.” I sit down regardless. “What’s wrong?”

She still doesn’t look up. “Why must something be wrong just because I don’t want to pay attention to you?”

Ouch. I smile again. “I’m just trying to be helpful. You look new. I generally know everyone who comes here. I like to be helpful.”

“I’m sure the other ladies thank you for your service,” she says sarcastically.

I don’t know what this woman’s problem is, but I have never wanted to win someone over quite as badly as her. She is challenging me. She doesn’t care who I am or what I represent. This is definitely going to be fun.

“Look, I’m sorry. Let’s start over. I’m Miguel, from Delta Kappa Delta Frat house. I’m sorry I came over and bothered you, but I just saw you, and something about you spoke to me.” I sit back. “Is that cheesy?”

Finally, she looks up at me, and I feel as though the air has been knocked right out of me. Those blue-gray eyes bore into me, and she quirked an eyebrow. “Does that line actually work?”

“Sometimes,” I tease. “Sometimes I get chewed out. Not this bad, though.”

She shakes her head. “Look, I’m sure you’re good at what you do, and I know you’re trying to impress Fred and the gang over there. I’m here to study, not to play with little boys.”

I cough slightly. “I can assure you. I’m anything but little.”

She snorts, “Now you really have something to prove. I’m just not interested, Miguel.”

“At least tell me your name.”

She sighs. “If I tell you my name will you leave me alone?” she asks.

“For today,” I assure her, “but I’m going to find you every day and ask you out until you go on a date for me. I’m determined now. I can’t be stalking someone without a name, though.”

“Stalking is creepy,” she shakes her head, “and I have boundaries.”

“If I can come up with an interesting way to ask you out,” I say, “without being creepy or an asshole or crossing any boundaries. Will you go out with me?”

She studies me, and I almost hold my breath in anticipation.

“My name is Kira,” she says. “You have a deal. You come up with a way that isn’t flashy or expensive, and that isn’t embarrassing, and I’ll go out on a date with you. Good luck with that.”

“I’m gonna try every day,” I promise her as I stand up, “’cause you’re worth it.”

She shakes her head again and returns to her book while I saunter over to the boys.

Present Day

Just thinking about how enamored I was with her makes my blood boil. I stub out the cigarette, the fifth cigarette I’ve smoked, and stand up. I need to work off this excess anger, or something is going to go terribly wrong.

My hand at least has stopped stinging, but now I can’t get those blue-gray eyes out of my mind.

I decide to change and go jogging on the treadmill, but first, I take out my phone and call Lyle.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Call Dr. De Oliveira, tell her to come to see our hostage’s ankle in the morning. Can’t be returning broken goods to the Sorvinos.” I don’t wait for his response. I hang up and leave my office-still haunted by those blue-gray eyes filled with passion.