Married to the Mafia Boss

Sofia

I feel relief as we pull up the driveway to my father’s home. I see the familiar faces of his guards, as well as guards I don’t recognize but know to belong to Dominic’s family.

The shock that Carmila was planted in my life and that she betrayed me is still weighing heavily on my heart, but I can’t lie; as much as I detest killing, I’m secretly glad she’s gone for what she did.

I feel a bit guilty for feeling that way, but maybe Dominic is right, and it’s time to stop being a naive little princess.

I climb out of the car as my father steps out the front door, his arms open. I run to him, wrapping my arms around him as I hug him tightly, and he crushes me against him.

“Oh, Sofia, my angel. I’m so glad you’re okay.” My father lets go of me and kisses my head. “You’re safe now, don’t worry. We’re going to go straight to the airport and straight back home.”

I frown. I know I’m in danger, but I’ll always be in danger. I don’t want to abandon my dreams of studying because of it.

“Papa,” I say quietly, “I don’t want to return to Argentina.”

My father shushes me and reaches out to shake Dominic’s hand. “Sorvino, thank you for looking after Sofia. We dispatched the remainder of Jose’s people who were watching the house. We should be safe.”

Dominic shakes his hand and nods. “You’ll never be safe, not while Jose is in power.”

A man comes out of the house and grins at Dominic. “Well done, Sorvino. Ah,” he claps his hands together, “Here is your brother now.”

A car pulls up, and a man looking like Dominic gets out, so it must be his brother Alessandro. Two guards are by his side instantly. My father walks to him, leaving me standing there, and shakes his hand. “Thank you, Don Sorvino, for your brother’s skills and for saving my daughter.”

“Let’s talk inside,” Alessandro says, walking toward the door.

I watch as they all file inside, Dominic instantly by his brother’s side. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I follow them.

“This isn’t something for you to sit in on,” my father says as he stands outside the study.

“I…” I pause, then say, “I would feel safer if I’m closer to you.”

It melts my father’s heart, and he nods. “Fine, but say nothing.”

I nod and follow him. I sit at the back nearby Dominic, and true to my word, I feel instantly safer.

“Don Lopez,” Alessandro says, “Have you considered Andres’ proposal to take down Don Catalan and free both our families and others from his retaliation?”

“Straight to the point,” my father says. I’ve never seen him look so in charge. “I like it. Don Sorvino, understand, although I appreciate that Sofia is alive and well, I now have a war on my hands.” He motions behind him. “Back in Argentina, the Catalan allied families are attacking my families and those families who answer to me. Jose is not happy about your brother’s rather public use of violence. Explosions, shootings… He should have been more discreet.”

Dominic shifts slightly, and I can tell his annoyed. My father has a point, though, and I can see it.

“My brother did what was necessary to secure your allegiance. The war back in Argentina is exactly why we should ally ourselves so that we can take down Jose.”

Dominic steps forward. “I had the choice between being discreet or saving Sofia. I think you’ll agree I made the right choice.”

My father stares him out, but it’s Alessandro who holds a hand up. Without a word, Dominic stands back.

I look at my father, who sits back. “And how do I know the Sorvino family will not betray me if I do this?”

Alessandro remains quiet, and I wonder what he’s thinking when he leans forward. “A trade then, my cousin, for one of your family members. I expect you’ll treat him well.”

I see the opportunity before my father can speak. I know I should sit quietly and not interrupt, but it’s now or never.

“For me!” I say loudly.

Everyone looks at me except Dominic, and I continue. “I want to study in America. It’s why I came. I want to stay, Papa. Let me be our family’s representative.”

My father frowns. “I don’t want you here where Jose’s men can take you again.”

My eyes widen. “Please, Papa, it’s all I want. I ask for this one thing.”

My father sighs. “You’re as stubborn as your mother. Don Sorvino, can you offer my daughter the best protection so she can study in this country?”

Alessandro indicates for Dominic to step forward, and I see him clench his teeth as Alessandro says, “She can stay with Dominic.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

I frown. I thought I’d be given guards. I didn’t think I’d actually have to stay with the family.

“But…” I start to say, but my father silences me with one look.

“That suits me fine. Your brother has proved to be a worthy adversary to the Catalan family. In that case, I will align with Andres and the Sorvino family. I support Andres taking over the Catalan family.” My father stands. “Now, please, join me for a drink in celebration of our union.”

Everyone follows my father out of the double doors of the study onto the deck and to the bar. “What will it be, Don Sorvino?”

“Whiskey, neat,” Alessandro says. “For both of us.”

The drinks are slowly handed out, and the man called Andres raises his glass. “To new friends and new families.”

“To new families,” I murmur as I lift my cooler to my lips. I sip it, and my gaze catches Dominic’s. He’s looking at me, but there’s anger in his eyes, and I wonder what happened to the soft side I witnessed earlier.

I don’t want to stay with him any more than he does with me, but I’m not that angry. I’m annoyed, though, that he is. I’ve done everything he’s made me, listened to his stupid instructions. He can give me a goddamn break, for fucks sake.

I glare back at Dominic before I turn away to hear my father tell Alessandro about our home in Argentina.

Alessandro listens. He seems to pay careful attention, nodding and acknowledging at the appropriate moments. My father loves having an audience, so he laps it up. I don’t know if the Sorvino family is more powerful than ours. I suppose they are the New York family, so here they outstrip us. My father seems to enjoy having the head Don’s attention.

I stand up and excuse myself, leaving to go upstairs to my room. Realizing that I’m safe and somewhat free hits me like a ton of bricks. I see my clothes in the closet and the familiar decor of my room. I start to tear up, and before I know it, I’m sobbing. I collapse onto my bed and sob into my pillow.

When I’m done, I shower and change into comfortable clothes, not something I wore when I was on the run.

There’s a knock at my door. It’s Alessandro. “Miss Lopez, you need to pack what you want to take for now. We’ll come back for the rest at another time.”

I nod, getting up to do as he asks.

“We’ll wait for you downstairs,” he says. “And Miss Lopez, while we’ll make you as comfortable as possible, you must adhere to Dominic’s rules while staying with him.”

I nod, he seems to emanate power, and I don’t want to argue with him. I can see why he’s the Don.

He leaves, and I turn to pack.