Married to the Mafia Boss

Miguel

My patience is wearing thin with Kira.

Is it really hard to tell someone where you’ve been for thirteen years? Probably, if you have something, you’re trying to hide. The thought of her being with other loves over these years sends me into a blind rage.

Without a word, she just upped and left me to go fuck whomever she wanted. I hadn’t thought her capable of that. I thought her father had married her off, but I couldn’t find a trace of her in New York. She’s clearly not married. There’s no ring.

I need to take a walk. I need to clear my head. It’s six in the morning, and I’ve had an even more restless night than usual.

I get dressed and walk out into the garden, taking a slow stroll around it. I modeled this garden after the Dean’s garden at the campus, where we had our first of many dates. We sneaked into there a few times while we saw each other. There was just more privacy there. We felt like we were in our own magical world, away from all the demands and pressures of living a mob life.

I walk into the center of the garden. My guards make themselves unseen, I know they’re still there, but they don’t disturb me. Mercenaries. Killers by trade who were looking for an easy, well-paying job. It was easy to get them into the family, to convince them to pledge their loyalty to first my father and then to me.

When you have the money, you have what people all dream of having. Money. It’s such a simple thing to come by if you just disregard the rules.

Unlike love.

I did love her. I loved her with my whole heart, and looking at the tall rose bushes that line the inside of the hedges just makes it even clearer that emotion is a weakness I can’t afford. I can’t lose my head with her, and I can’t let her see she affects me. Otherwise, she wins, and she can never win after what she did to me.

The sun rises, and the garden comes to life in the rays of light. The fresh smell of damp earth and blossoming flowers fills the air. Once upon a time, I would have spread a blanket out, laid in the middle, and gotten lost in my thoughts about love, life, and death while I enjoyed the stillness the garden offered.

I walk away from it now. It’s now a living monument to the life I left behind. A symbolic reminder that no woman will ever take advantage of Miguel Rossi ever again.

I wave Jeffrey away. “I’ll take breakfast in my office.”

He’s surprised. I don’t usually take my meals in the office. Growing up, my father impressed upon us the importance of the dining room table. Important decisions are made while eating. The best decisions and memories are made while you fill your belly. The dining room table symbolizes the unity of a family, the core where all members meet on equal grounds to share their lives.

Well, as long as it isn’t about family business.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

The men don’t discuss family business with the women. It’s not how things are done. Of course, there are rumors about the Sorvino family, especially Alessandro’s wife, who runs her own family.

Many families questioned the situation at first, but I’ve heard Katya has proved her worth in rather violent and merciless ways. I wouldn’t expect much less from a Russian family leader.

I sit at my desk and turn on the screen for my computer. I check my emails first as there are documents I need to sign and approve and certain senators I need to, well, assist.

I’ve also been sent financial reports that I’ll need to go over before I see our accountant next week.

Jeffrey comes in with a tray and sets it down on the table to my right. “Your breakfast, sir.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, drafting an email to the senator who got caught with his mistress. It is always good to do things for senators because they do things for you. I could use some favors.

A notification pops up, and I read the sender as Sorvino.

I quickly finish my email to the senator, ensuring that it looks perfectly ‘clean’ before I open the new email and read.

Let’s meet.

Tonight at nine, at The Italian on Fifth Avenue.

Two guards only.

Don Sorvino

I take my time to respond. I need to be careful. I know they own The Italian on Fifth Avenue, so they will have the home advantage. No, I don’t think that will suit me at all. I hit reply.

Tonight at Nine. West Central Park near the entrance.

Two Guards only.

Agree to venue change or no meeting.

Don Rossi

I send it and wait, refreshing my emails constantly until a reply finally hits my inbox.

Agreed.

Don Sorvino.

I smirk to myself and go to eat my breakfast. It’s fruit today with some toast and preserves. I sip the coffee that has been brought with it.

The rest of the day passes in a blur, but I don’t see Kira at all. I keep her tucked away in her room. I’ll see her at dinner, and I’ve already arranged a dress for her.

At eight, I get into the car with two guards and leave the estate for Central Park. We’re there early, and my guards patrol the area while I sit on a bench near the entrance.

I see a large figure walking toward me. I don’t stand. I have no respect to give Alessandro, so I won’t give him power over me.

If it bothers him, he doesn’t show it. He sits beside me, and we don’t look at each other.

“What is it you want, Don Rossi? In exchange for Kira?” he asks in a low voice.

I see his guards join my guards on patrol. They eye each other warily.

“I haven’t decided yet, Don Sorvino,” I say. “But what I know is that if you continue to attack my establishments or my warehouses, if you continue to destroy my products and income, then you will get her back,” I pause before saying, “in pieces. Consider her payment for damages.”

“I think not,” he says. He sounds pissed.

Good.

“State what you want, Don Rossi. You don’t just kidnap a Sorvino for fun. You wanted something when you planned this. Let’s get it out in the open and get on with business.”

I shake my head. “I know what I originally wanted, but things have changed. I think Kira is worth far more than what I initially wanted or who I initially wanted.”

“So she wasn’t your intended target,” he comments. “You should train your men better.”

“You Sorvinos all look alike, so I’m not surprised my cousins picked up the wrong girl.” I let that sink in. “But I didn’t bargain on getting Kira. That is quite the prize. More valuable to me than you could even know.”

“How so?” he asks.

“I have my reasons. If you want to know what I want, I’ll give it to you in a list if it’s easier for you to comprehend. Start with item one, call off any attacks on my family and businesses.”

“Fine.” I didn’t think he’d so readily agree. I wonder what card he has to play.

“Then I’ll be in touch, Don Sorvino.’

“Don’t take too long, Don Rossi.” He stands and finally looks down at me, a power play I didn’t think of myself. Well done to him.

“I am not a patient man.” He says it with an air of finality before he strolls off and out of the park, his two men following him.

I give him a chance to get ahead in case there’s an ambush. I stand and allow one of my men to go ahead and one to follow me as I walk out of the park, glancing around for any potential attackers.

There are none.

At least Alessandro plays by what few rules the mafia has.

I get into my car and head back to the estate. It’s late, but I still expect Kira to join me for dinner. Can’t waste a perfectly good meal.