Married to the Mafia Boss

Carmine

I don’t know what to do with myself. My life feels completely void of meaning because I don’t have Arianna next to me. I don’t know if she’s safe or if she’s being punished for being with me. I don’t even know if she’s allowed to race anymore.

I’ve done nothing but drink, I think, as I open another beer and move to sit on my sofa. There are empty beer cans strewn about the floor, and if someone walked in here, they’d assume I am an alcoholic.

Despite what they’ve decided, I’m still loyal to the Sorvinos. I won’t serve another family. Sometimes families have disagreements and fights, and this is one of those times. Everything is wrong, and I wish there were a way I could get the Sorvinos to see that I would take excellent care of Arianna.

I look up as there’s a knock at my door. I don’t really have friends, so this puts me on edge. I grab my handgun and approach the door slowly, wondering if Dominic has decided to put a hole in my head regardless of what Alessandro promised.

“Who is it?” I call, holding onto the gun tightly.

“It’s Mom. I’m alone,” Helena says, and I frown. I put the gun in the waistband of my pants and open the door slowly, “What do you want?” I ask a little rudely.

“Don’t speak to your mother that way,” she says briskly. “I need to speak to you.”

“Oh, now you’re my mother,” I comment, stepping aside to let her in. She walks in and glances around the messy apartment before looking at me.

“You’ve always been a neat freak,” she comments. “This isn’t like you.”

“It’s the new post-family me. Want a beer?” She shakes her head, and I shut the door to sit down. I notice she’s carrying a bag in her hands, and she sets it on the counter before turning to me.

“There’s some homemade food for you. I know you’re terrible at feeding yourself, which is why we always make you eat with us.” She shifts slightly. “And I wanted to talk to you.”

“What could you possibly have to say that the rest of the family hasn’t already made clear? I haven’t tried to see Arianna, so it’s not that.”

“How do you feel about Arianna?” she asks, sitting on the armchair to my left.

I snort, “What I feel doesn’t matter. That’s been made clear.”

She leans forward and puts a hand on my arm. I don’t pull away; instead, I look into her blue eyes. “How do you feel about her?” she asks again.

I swallow. “I feel like I can’t breathe when I’m not around her, Mom,” I cave in. It must be the alcohol. “I feel like no one can keep her safe like I can. That no one can love her the way I can, I realized that I’ve always loved her and that my playboy ways were just a bandage because I knew I could never have her. When she said she felt the same way about me, I felt like two halves of a soul joined together. That we could face anything together, even Alessandro, I would be loyal to her like no other man and love her for the rest of eternity.”

Helena purses her lips and then rummages in her bag. She hands me a business card. “Be here at nine sharp, sober.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Just do it and trust me.” She gets up and kisses my head. “I’m sorry I betrayed you.”

She leaves, and I set the beer down, looking at the business card for a boutique. I don’t know what she’s planning, but she seemed quite serious. I pour the rest of my beer down the drain, shower, and eat some of the cannoli Mom brought for me. Then I go pass out in my bed after setting the alarm.

Standing outside the boutique, I’m worried this is an elaborate setup to get me killed, but I’m here now, and I can only hope that Mom wouldn’t do that to me. That would definitely break me.

I open the door, and a bell jingles above me. A severe-looking woman comes storming over to me. “Carmine?”

“Yes, why?” I ask, surprised.

“I was expecting you. Come quickly before someone sees.” She shoos me toward the back and into a huge fitting room. “You stay here.”

I look around at the mirrors that cover every wall except for a back door which might be an exit, and the curtained entrance we walked through.

There’s that jingle again of the door, and I clench my fists; I have my gun just in case. I hear Helena’s voice. “Just come over here. I don’t have time to explain. You can hate me later.”

The curtain draws back, and a pissed-off Arianna steps in. For a moment, there’s just silence as the shock registers on her face, then I rush to her, and she to me, and I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly.

“Carmine,” she says softly. “How? Why?”

I look at Helena, who stands at the entranceway. “I’m so sorry, Cup Cake. I didn’t know. I thought I was doing what was best. I know now that I was wrong, that you also deserve happiness.”

“Dominic spoke to you,” Arianna comments, although she looks hesitant to forgive her mother.

“I overheard you two talking,” she admits. “And I’m so sorry I caused this. Please, my sweet angel, give me a chance to make this right. I will fix this.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Women don’t get involved with the family business,” Arianna says quietly. “How can you?”

Helena steps forward slowly, and Arianna doesn’t move as her mother reaches up and strokes a stray strand of hair out of her face. “You’d be surprised how much women affect family business. Our husbands listen to us, and speak to us. We know everything that happens and mention what needs to be mentioned. I’ll deal with your father, don’t you worry. For now, you have an hour to spend together. Then, Arianna, you must leave. I’m going to tell Carlos to wait outside in the street for you, that you’re being fitted for clothes.”

I look down at Helena. “Thank you,” I say, my voice slightly hoarse with emotion.

She pats my face. “My children deserve to be happy, all of them.”

She smiles at us and walks out, and Arianna turns to me. I kiss her deeply, wrapping my arms around her and holding her against me. When we part, I stroke her face as though I’ll never see her again. “I love you so much,” I murmur.

“I love you with my everything,” she says quietly. “I’d give up my racing days to spend one more night with you.”

I smile sadly. “We can’t bank on Mom getting Pa to change his mind. We might not be able to see each other again,” I swallow hard. “And that kills me, Ari. Please know it fucking kills me.”

She kisses my lips softly. “Shhh, let’s just be in each other’s arms for now. I don’t want to think about being apart when I’m with you.”

I lead her to a bench where we settle down, her leaning against my chest. I stroke her side softly and kiss her head.