Seven Months Earlier
Audrey's pov:
I watched my younger siblings run around the garden in childlike excitement, to them the world was such a beautiful place, filled with love. They had everything they needed.
Well, that was the irony of the whole thing. They indeed lived in a beautiful world but as a children of a mafia underboss, you were never innocent. The blood that flowed down your body was that of a murderer.
Yes, they were part of the Mafia. Not just any Mafia, the most powerful mafia in the world. More like being a part of it.
Nobody was ever going to compare themselves to the Vincenzo family.
I sighed and soon walked to my room. I soon left my siblings and walked to my room, I needed space before I start getting prepared to join my father in his handover of me to a man.
What could you tell your mafia underboss father when he tells you that you will soon by married just like your peers?.
One thing was sure, I would be given to a higher officier in the Mafia, it was either that or no one else.
I wondered who it was going to be.
" Madam Audrey, your mum has asked you get ready because your father will be home soon" one of the maid said through the door. Just like I expected, it four pm and people will be filling the house soon.
I took that clue to get dressed and added a little makeup to finish up.
Now, I was ready to meet my father and my supposed husband to be.
Just as I opened her door, my guard Umberto was waiting for me outside my room. " Mr Santos had asked that you come downstairs"
Umberto has been my guard for the longest time, well he has been my bodyguard since she could walk around. That's a very very long time. And he treated me like he treats his daughters and wife.
For that I respected him and loved him as like daughter loves her father, even deeper.
Because Umberto never praised my wrongs and always told her the truth except if it was confidential information from the mafia. That is top secret.
" Thank you Umberto, I'm ready"
He followed behind me as I walked to the dark side of the house. That was where my father instructed me to be or face the consequences.
It was going to be the place where he was going to announce my engagement to the man I was going to get married to in front of his men and other important officers in the Familias.
There was no turning back now.
I was going to be given to a man like a piece of furniture because of my beauty and my father's influence and position.
When I got closer to the hall, she heard deep men's voice
It seems that they had arrived.
" Are you ready Audrey?" Umberto asked.
I breathed in and out heavily before nodding " Yes"
Umberto opened the door 🚪and I walked in. First person I saw, my father.
As usual, my mother was by his side like a submissive wife with that same smile plastered on her face.
Some many were sitted with drinks in hand, I bowed slightly in respect and they nodded in response.
That went well.
" How are you my daughter?" Her father's smile was forced as he patted her hand gently.
" I'm very well father. Thanks for your concern"
" Hmm"
" Now that the soon-to-be bride is here, it's time for the ceremony to kick off"
He said and they all applauded .
I was nervous but was use to putting on a calm face and tone.
Losing my patience and composure in the past had earned me slaps and now was not the time to misbehave. It would only get me more slaps or even get killed for embarrassing my father in front of his men and guests.
I looked around and saw that they were indeed important guests here, even the former Don of the Familias was here.
" I heard the Don is coming, be of good behavior as usual my dear" Her mother whispered quietly to get ears and then smiled.
I was surprised at first, I wondered what the Don was coming to do. It was rare to get the Don to come to an a occasion no matter how important.
The Don does what the Don wants .
I have never seen the man before but I knew he was young but also the most feared man in the world.
Aiden Vincenzo was a dangerous man, even my father spoke in his name in whispers as if afraid that his very name would have him killed.
I had attended many social gatherings where the women there had gossiped in low tone about the Don.
Many narrated how he killed his first man when he was only 16. The victim was one of his uncles who thought he could kill him and then take his place as the heir to the Familias throne.
It was said that he had killed his uncle using a small dinning knife to cut off his wind pipe making him feared from an early age.
That made me have goosebumps all over, that kind of man was dangerous.
But some of the women famous for having warmed his bed in the past praised his sexual poweress and he could handle a woman in bed. That earned blushes and giggles but I found nothing funny about it.
How the hell were they comfortable sharing their sex life in public? Some women had no shame.
I wondered what he was like? Was he big and muscular like most strong men I had met in my father's office?
Men with unnecessary muscles terrified her. What was the point of having big muscles that made them look like hulk and many of them could not use it?
But from the description of the women, Aiden Vincenzo was an handsome man.
Hmm. Handsome wasn't enought to describe Aiden Vincenzo.