Married to the Mafia Boss

Miguel

We leave the apartment quickly, with a gun pressed discreetly against Kira’s back. She gets into the car without hassle, and we take off, making sure we aren’t followed. As we exit the city and head toward Long Beach, one of my cars pulls up behind us to escort us into the estate.

Kira doesn’t say anything as we travel. She keeps looking out the window as though waiting for her family to attack us so they can save her. They would be foolish to do so. They know I’d shoot her immediately. They cannot win this one.

We pull into the estate, and the gates close behind us. The guard dogs are released, and patrols will already be underway. My men are well trained, much like the Sorvino men, and they would have a hard time getting through all my guards.

The car pulls up to the mansion, and I step out, not bothering to offer Kira my hand. She climbs out of the car and looks around curiously, probably trying to figure out a way to escape.

I push her towards the door. “Move, Kira.”

She glares at me but walks into the mansion. Guards are also patrolling inside the mansion and stand to attention when I enter, the way it should be. I take off my suit jacket and hand it to the butler nearby. “Thanks, Jeremy.”

I look at Kira. “This is going to be where you’ll be staying for a while. You can go to most places in the mansion. I suppose I have nothing better to do, so let me show you where everything is.”

I start to walk. “The dining room and living room downstairs are available for you to use. You cannot make your own food. The kitchen staff will prepare it. You are in no way allowed further than the kitchen door over there in case you think about getting sharp knives.” I look at her pointedly. “You may not go into the garden without an escort, and Kira,” I pause to look at her, “I have guards everywhere, so don’t bother trying to sneak out.”

I walk up the stairs and lead her to the left. “Your room is opposite mine here to the left.”

I open the door and lead her into a grand room with a four-poster solid made from oak bed. There’s a window overlooking the garden, and a light breeze blows through, bringing the scent of the ocean with it.

She looks around and nods but doesn’t say anything.

“My study is down the hall to the right of the stairs. You’re forbidden to go in there,” I say with a note of finality.

“And clothes?” she asks suddenly. “Toiletries and stuff? Am I just supposed to live in my own filth until you decide what you’re doing with me?”

“I already know what I’m doing with you,” I smirk, and I feel rather evil. “You can give a list to my guard of what you want, but Kira, this isn’t kindness. Do not think I am a kind person.”

Kira’s eyes meet mine, and she looks a little scared. She should be scared. But beneath that fear is a fire of defiance I don’t remember her having when we were younger.

“I will fight you every step of the way,” she says quietly, bravely standing her ground.

I suppress a chuckle and take a step toward her, so I’m looking directly down at her.

“I’ve explained this situation, Kira. You can try, but I’m not above disciplining you. There are consequences to your actions.”

“I don’t need to be told there are consequences to actions,” she snaps angrily.

“I will discipline you,” I repeat myself coldly. “If you do try me, I will punish you, and you will not enjoy it. That’s my final word on the matter.”

I lead her out of the room and back downstairs. I know she is following me because she wants to find an escape route, but she won’t find one, not here.

We stand at the base of the stairs, and I look at my watch. “I have guests arriving shortly. You can go back to your room and remain there until dinner. Your exploring for an escape route can wait until then.”

She looks at me, surprised, but I motion for one of the guards to come forward. “Harry will escort you to your room and make sure you stay there. Someone will be up with clothes for you to wear to dinner. I expect you to be on time. I’m not a patient man, don’t make me wait.”

Harry motions for her to go upstairs, and she glares at me one last time before she goes upstairs with my guard.

I wait until I hear her bedroom door shut then I go upstairs and head to my study. I pull out a cigar, not my Cubans, as those are kept exclusively at my apartment in the city. I light the cigar and sit down in my office chair.

I don’t have to wait long. Everyone is aware of my patience level.

My three brothers, two uncles, my father, and Lyle and Jarred come into my office as soon as they arrive, all finding a place to stand except the older men who find seats.

“Gentlemen, you’ve obviously heard of my cousins’ blunders.” I glance at Lyle and Jarred, but that’s all I say on the matter. “We have Kira Sorvino as a hostage, and Alessandro has already tried to get her back once.”

“Don Rossi,” Lyle says, and I look at him, “they’ve completely destroyed the apartment. It was not long after you left. They left a message on the wall that they are declaring war on us if we don’t return Kira.”

I smile. “I wasn’t expecting a response so soon, and the apartment can be redone.”

I look at my father. “I’ve decided to keep Kira here until I can negotiate more territories with Don Sorvino. I’m sure he will call for the meeting as soon as he realizes he can’t take her by force.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“I advise against this war,” my Uncle Fabio says quietly. “A war against the Sorvinos? Jose Catalan would tell you what a bad idea that is if he were still alive today.”

My other Uncle Marcel nods in agreement. “Sometimes we have to give a little to the big families to protect our smaller family.”

“See, that’s where you are wrong,” I say, heat rising on my face. “We’re not some shitty small family. We’re the second-largest family in New York. We’ve risen over the years under my father’s guidance, and I intend to take us all the way while I rule.”

Fabio and Marcel both hold up their hands in surrender, and I stand, turning my back on them. “We’ve been taking shit from those Sorvino bastards for too long. They think they can walk all over New York as if they own it. They need to think again. We need to show them, through force and power, what we are capable of.”

“What do you suggest? We start attacking their territories and risk the lives of our people and their families?” Marcel asks from behind me.

I chuckle. “Zio, you think too much of Alessandro. The man has gone soft as he has aged. He doesn’t want to risk any more lives than you do. He will fall to his knees quick enough.”

My father hasn’t said a word, and this worries me. I turn to look at him, and he’s staring at me. Everyone looks at him, and he nods. “I think it is worth taking the risk. It could pay off handsomely. But remember to keep your emotions in check, Miguel, don’t make rash decisions.”

I stand stock still. Everyone’s waiting for my reaction, but I remain calm and cold. I nod. “Of course, Padre. I know what I’m doing.”

“You are Don. We follow what you say.”

I nod and sit back down to plot out our next move.