Married to the Mafia Boss

Shirley

Earlier in the Morning

As the car pulls out of the property, I tap Konstantin’s shoulder. “There’s an appointment I have before my meeting with Alessandro. Just my yearly check-up with my gynecologist.”

He nods, and I give him the address I’ve memorized off my phone. Dr. Green is not my usual gynecologist because, of course, she is on the West Coast, but I need to do my first proper scan of the baby and start learning what I’m in for.

I know I need to decide whether I’m telling Evgenii or if Alessandro has something to say about it, but I will deal with that after the Staten Island deal is finalized.

Konstantin waits for me in the lobby as I take the elevator to the third floor. After filling in the usual new patient forms and waiting a while, the receptionist, Fiona, leads me into a room.

“You can change here. Everything you need is there. The doctor will come in five minutes to assist you,” she smiles and goes out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

I get undressed and into the gown they’ve provided. I leave just my socks on.

Dr. Green is lovely and very calming. I actually think she’s nicer than my doctor back home. She does the scan and shows me the tiny sesame seed that is my baby.

She talks me through pre-natal care and how I must schedule my appointments for what weeks. She also gives me a lot of reading material, and I am grateful.

After seeing me off and getting dressed, I pay Fiona for the consultation and put the reading material in my purse. I don’t want Konstantin to see it.

As I step out of the elevator, I’m surprised to see Mikhail walking into the lobby. I’m also instantly suspicious. Mikhail seems surprised to see me as he walks over. “Shirley, such a pleasure to see you on your feet.”

“Thank you, recovery is going well,” I say, glancing at Konstantin, watching us like a hawk.

“You must come past my condo sometime. I breed peacocks and would love to take you on a tour of my bird sanctuary I’m slowly filling.” He flashes me a charming smile, and I return it.

“Oh, no, sorry. I’m allergic to birds,” I lie. “But perhaps another time, maybe for coffee.”

“You have my number,” he walks away from me, and I hurry to Konstantin so we can leave.

I can’t relax. I know in my gut that seeing Mikhail was not an accident, and I consider phoning Evgenii or Alessandro. I glance behind us and see a sedan with dark-tinted windows pull into traffic rather suddenly, right behind us.

As we slowly move through traffic, I keep an eye on them before my nerves get the best of me. “I think we’re being followed.”

Konstantin nods. “We are. I didn’t want to alarm you. We’re going back to the house where there are more guards to provide backup.”

I nod, settling back. I’m still uneasy but glad Evgenii’s men are organized.

He weaves through traffic until we’re at a good cruising speed, driving straight to the house. The sedan doesn’t relent, staying on our tail. I’m worried they will try pushing us off the road or worse.

I can see the gates are open as soon as we turn into the road, and Konstant swears under his breath. I gasp as we realize our mistake too late.

Evgenii’s guards are shooting at enemies as we pull in. The sedan pulls in behind us, blocking us in. Konstantin shouts, “Stay in the car.”

“No, don’t go,” I shout. I would prefer he bashed his way back into the street, but he gets out of the car, gun in hand, and a bullet flies through his head. Blood and brains splatter everywhere.

I stay low as I slide out of the car, hoping to get somewhere safe before anyone sees me. I crawl toward the plants that line the garden, hoping I can hide there when someone suddenly grabs me from behind and pulls me into the sedan. I try to fight off the assailant, but cloth is placed firmly over my mouth, and I know what’s next.

Complete darkness.

I groan in pain as my head pounds. I can’t seem to place what’s happening. I’m lying on something soft. I dry heave and sit up at the same time, but I don’t open my eyes. I still feel like I’m spinning, and I breathe deeply through my nose and out my mouth. I shiver and blink my eyes open.

“I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well from being sedated, it really isn’t the most pleasant thing to wake up from, and I do apologize if you were scared of the attack on Mr. Volkov’s property.”

I look up to see a young, rather gaunt man standing next to a fireplace, looking at the fire as though making sure it’s doing its job.

I recognize him instantly. His name is Pietro Pacheco, Ettore’s youngest son.

“You see, I didn’t appreciate that my father thinks he can just hand off the family business to another family because he thinks his children can’t handle it. Then he still expects us to work for whatever family he chooses, as though we haven’t worked hard enough helping him build his little…. island.”

I frown and put a hand on my stomach. “Pietro, even if you have to work for another family, if you work hard enough, and I’m sure you will, you’ll rise in rank as well.”

“No one born outside of a family ever rises that high in rank,” he spits. “If you’re not blood, you’re nothing.”

I shake my head, then stop because it makes me want to heave again. “That’s bullshit. I wasn’t born into the Sorvino family, and now I run the entire West Coast and all territories the family controls there. I’m not blood, but they treat me like I’m family. It’s loyalty they reward, not birthright.”

Pietro scoffs. “I won’t deny that the Sorvino family does seem to have a soft spot for you, which is why I’m going to hold you hostage. I’m sure if you’re as important as you say, they won’t take issue with meeting my demands.”

“Pietro, I wouldn’t challenge the Sorvino family, especially because they’re united with the Volkov and Rossi families.” I stare at him. “They will end you.”

Pietro chuckles and sighs. “Oh, Shirley, no. See, I have also united with another family, and they are just as interested as I am in bringing down this little coalition that deems themselves the overseers of all families. Alessandro and Ivan will be brought to their knees.”

I’m feeling better, but I don’t move. I don’t want to give him an excuse to hurt me and my baby that he doesn’t know about.

He looks at the watch on his arm and nods. “Right, I have to go. I’m afraid I’m going to lock you in here. I don’t want you wandering around and getting out. Don’t worry, though. I’ll send you something to eat and drink to settle your stomach.”

I’m not sure what look he’s aiming for with his pained, forced smile, but he does stride out of the room. I hear the lock clicking in place.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

I move carefully so as not to trigger my gag reflex, and I test the windows. They’re all sealed shut, but I notice even if I could open them, I’m on at least the third story of a huge mansion. I can’t see many houses around so we must be away from the city center.

I look around for something I can use as a weapon, but there aren’t many choices. There are a lot of paintings, and I consider breaking the canvas of one to get the wood out to use as a sort of club, but I feel like it won’t do much damage.

I need something sharp, but if I break a window, I’m sure someone will hear. I doubt he just left me here. He probably has guards outside my room.

I look around again, and my eyes fall on a wide-brimmed vase. I look at the scatter cushions on the sofa, and I go to them, pulling a cushion out of its cover. I put the vase inside the cover and put it on the floor. I gingerly step on the vase to break it within the cushion and wait to see if anyone heard the noise.

I pick up the cushion and take out a long jagged piece of glass.

I sit down and rip up the cloth from another cushion, it’s hard, and my arms ache, but adrenaline courses through my veins.

I use the strips to wrap around the base of the glass so that I can wield it without cutting my hand, at least not badly.

I’m not sure if this is going to do, but it really is the only option I have. I go to wait by the door, listening carefully for footsteps. I try to steady my breathing and remember what Evgenii’s breath sounded like in my ear in bed and a pit forms in my stomach.

I shake off the thoughts and steady myself. I might be standing here awhile. I press my ear to the wooden door and listen with everything I have for the footsteps of anyone coming to this room.