I glanced at the threeĀ huge men present in my living room, but the brooding figure seated was the one who piqued my curiosity with his sharp jawline, black hair and cold but familiar blue eyes.Ā
"What do you want?" I asked.
The man at my left raised his chin. "Your father owes our boss money" He said.
Great. He had to get involved with more mafia people.
I rubbed my temple in frustration. "How much this time?" I sighed.
"Two million dollars" The other one answered.
Why does he keep doing this to me?
"Look, I'll pay you but my grandfather isn't home right now. Do you mind waiting?" I asked.
"I'm not here for money" A deep voice rumbled, causing me to jump in my seat.
I blinked confusedly. "I don't understand" I said.
"Your father made a deal with me that involves you" He said.
I sat up straighter. "And what deal is this?" I questioned.
The huge man seemed unmoved. "Instead of paying me, you'll have to marry me" He drawled. I snorted but stopped when they just watched me in silence.
"Is this some sort of joke?" I asked.
"I assure you I have no sense of humor, you will get married to me" He said.
"And what if I don't agree?" I countered.
His cold blue eyes twinkled dangerously. "I'll have to use unnecessary force on you" He said.
I pretended to think about it for a while. "In that case you can go to hell where you fucking belong" I spat at him.
"You will marry me little one" He sounded confident.
Little One? I'm not a pet.
I closed my in regret as my mind wandered off to the day my misfortune started. I looked at the man in front of me, Alex De Luca the Capo of New York and my soon to be husband. I should consider myself lucky for getting married to someone like him and not some old creep, but I couldn't.Ā
Ā The thought of marriage still felt foreign to me.
"Do you Isabella White take Alexander De Luca to be your lawful legal husband. Do you promise to be loyal and faithful to him and to love him in all circumstances?" The priest asked.
I gave a small nod, fearing my words would fail me. "I do" The lie tasted bitter on my tongue as I slid the black diamond ring onto Alex's finger.
The priest turned to Alex. "Do you Alexander De Luca take Isabella White to be you lawful legal wife. Do you promise to be loyal and faithful to her and to love her in all circumstances?"Ā
"I do" I nearly jumped from the rumble in his voice again. It's like he does it on purpose just to frighten me.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" The priest said. My heart hammered loudly against my chest. Why does he have to be my first kiss? Alex on the other hand seemed unfazed or unbothered I can't tell. Whichever it is, he's good at hiding it behind that cold and mean expression.
Ā I sucked in a low breath as he pulled me close for a short kiss and helping down from the altar after wards. We both walked down the aisle as people I've never met cheered, my dad and grandfather waiting at the exit.
"I'm sorry I can't do anything to help" My grandfather, Will said sadly. I glanced at my dad whose eyes were bloodshot as usual- a sign that he's been busy. My stepmother, Patricia clung to his arm and at that point I started to wonder if she was the one who thought of this arrangement. After all she hates me.
"It's okay, I can manage on my own" That was a big lie because there's no way I can manage this all on my own.
"We should head back to the house" My dad finally spoke. Alex led the way out and I simply followed beside him as we approached a line of black cars. I recognized two of the men from the day everything began. We halted in front of one of the cars and stopped when Alex opened the backseat door for me.
"Get in" He said. This time I stopped myself from reacting to his voice.
What is wrong with me?
"I can't" It was barely a whisper but I'm sure he heard me judging from his expression. I stared at the car, unable to move. My heart racing and my breath becoming labored as the familiar darkness choked me up.
"Isabella"Ā
The blinding streetlights and screeching of tires irritating my ears with heavy smoke filling my nose in the cramped up space, the car tumbling over the road. Oh God not again.
"Isabella" The voice sounded closer this time yet so far away. I cringed at my wet clothes. Blood, my blood seeping out from who knows where and my head light from the car still tumbling.
"Isabella" I'm shaking as I opened my eyes and my arm is on fire as sweat trickles down my face but when I look at my arm, I realize it's Alex's hand.Ā
Does his touch burn now?
Will's figure clouded my vision as he hugged me. Tears sprang in my eyes as I hugged him back. It's been three years and yet it feels like it just happened yesterday.
"You're fine, you're okay" He kept whispering in my ear.
"I can't do it. I can't Will" I muttered.
"Remember what I taught you"
I nodded and took deep breaths, counting numbers in my head and trying to calm down my racing heart and mind.Ā
"You should go with him" Will said. I thought about protesting but he was right. I have a new life and I should stop remembering the past. I nodded meekly and let go of Will and entered the car with Alex seated next to me.Ā
Ā The car began to move steadily and I was grateful for Alex not asking me questions about what just happened. The driver took a left turn and I already knew we were heading to my dad's house. That's the last place I want to be right now.
"Why are we going to my dad's house?" I questioned as I looked out the window.
"There's a party being held there. If you don't want to go then we can head straight to the airport" I heard him say.
I shook my head. "No it's fine. Besides, I haven't said a proper goodbye to Will"Ā
Alex didn't reply and I wasn't bothered. I wouldn't be surprised if he understands that type of relationship or anything close to it.Ā We stopped at my father's old Victorian house some minutes after and without wasting time, I went up to my old room, surprised it was still clean and intact.
Even after sixteen years.Ā
Ā I sat on my old bed smiling as I reminisced old memories but that smile faded when it finally dawned on me.
I was married. That too to a Mafia boss. I stripped out of my wedding dress, the sight of the squared shape diamond on my finger constantly reminding me of who I am now. I stepped into the bathroom and relaxed as the warm water hit my skin. I took my time but got interrupted by a knock on the door. I instantly got out and put on a robe to get the door.
"Here" Patricia shoved a cloth bag into my face. "What's this?" I asked.
"Don't ask stupid questions, Alex has bought this for you to wear so put in on and come down. He's not a patient man" She said and sauntered off. I closed the door and pulled the dress out of the bag and honestly, I liked it but I wasn't sure if I should take it.Ā But I have other clothes to wear and after overthinking, I decided to wear the dress.
"Isa" I stopped what I was doing and turned to the door.
"Dad" I swallowed.
"I'm proud of you, you know that?" He asked, his tone light and deceptive. But I wasn't going to buy it.
"You could have asked for any other thing but this? This was too much"
He took a step forward and grabbed my arm in a death grip. "But it's too late now. You're married to him so I expect you to act like a good wife and be useful for once by giving him an heir" My dad spat.
I shook my head. "I can't"
His grip tightened. "What the fuck do you mean by 'you can't'. I am in great debt and the only way this alliance will remain is if you submit yourself to him and give him and heir. Don't fuck this up" He said.
I winced. "You're hurting me father" I managed to say.Ā
"You deserve it after everything you've done-"Ā
"Let her go" Alex thundered as he walked in, his whole aura demanding power and respect.
My father let go instantly and put on a fake smile. "Mr. De Luca what are you doing here?" He asked.
"Get out"Ā I stared at Alex with wide eyes. No one has ever spoken to my father like that and I was certainly surprised by his lack of remorse. I cast a final glance at my father as he walked out of the room, shutting the door after him.
I stared at the floor. "You shouldn't have said that, he'll be mad" I muttered.
Alex remained silent. "What did he tell you" He finally spoke. I shook my head not wanting to get into more trouble with my father.
"I wasn't asking. Tell me what he said" He said, his tone void of any emotion or anger.
I shifted uncomfortably on my feet and explained what my father had said.
"We're leaving" He suddenly said. I looked at him with a confused expression.
"But the party-"
"I changed my mind" He cut in and grabbed my wrist, the previous burn returning with full force as we walked out of my room and down the stairs.
I halted. "I wanna say goodbye to Will. If that's okay with you" I said. Alex didn't reply instead he kept me walking until we found Will.Ā
"Is everything okay, Princess?" He asked, glancing at Alex who was standing behind me.
I nodded. "I came to say goodbye"Ā
Will chuckled and shook his head. "You make it sound like we're never going to meet again and that'll never happen" He said.
"So I'll see you soon?" I asked, ignoring how desperate I sounded. I smiled when he nodded and hugged him briefly.
"You take care of her for me, De Luca" Will said.
"Goodbye Marcello" Alex said and guided me out of the house, helping me into the back seat.Ā
"Where to now, Boss?" The driver asked.
"The airport" Alex replied, shutting the door after him. I closed my eyes as soon as we started to move again, exhausted from all the events that happened today.
"Why do you live with Marcello and not Vincent?" Alex questioned. My eyes fluttered open as I turned to look at him.
"He's my maternal grandfather and right from the beginning, Will never liked my father so after my mom died, he came for me and attained my full custody" I explained.Ā Alex nodded like he was processing my words.
"He's a real shithole" He drawled, the rumble in his voice low. We didn't talk after that, neither didn't we get the chance to do so as we pulled up at Alex's private hanger with three private jets in it. Alex and I boarded one of the jets and our trip to New York started almost immediately.
Ā So much for my dreams.
Ā Three hours later, I opened my eyes just to see the plane touch down and once again we were seated in the back of one of Alex's line of black Cadillac Escalades heading towards Washington DC and I couldn't help but stare in awe. The cars stopped in front of a large gated entrance which opened automatically, letting us into the private compound as we proceeded to the parking lot, an endless line of armed soldiers at each side of the house and even the gardens.
Ā We finally stopped in the parking lot and got down. "Come on
Alex immediately led us to an elevator and we had to wait for the biometric authentication to finish before we were allowed access to the elevator that leads up to the main house. I suddenly started to feel nervous as we got nearer to the main house.
'Be useful and give him an heir'
Ā It's supposed to be our wedding night. He's not going to consummate our marriage right? If he does I'll simply refuse. But they're stories of Made Men raping their wives. God save me.
"Is everything alright?" Alex asked, probably noticing my uneasiness.
"Yes" I replied, grateful for the elevator that just opened and I hurriedly walked out with Alex behind me but all movements ceased when a scream pierced my eras.
"Daddy!" A high pitched voice screamed, a little girl of about four years running fast with her pigtails swinging wildly. My face scrunched up as she screamed the word again until she barreled into Alex's legs, her tiny hands hugging them close with a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Rena" Alex muttered.
"I've missed you Daddy!" She squealed. I looked at the little girl and then Alex whose eyes were sole on his daughter.
He has a Daughter?
What's going on?