HIS UNDOING— A Mafia Contract Marriage

Chapter 2- Leaving

The silence after they looked at each other was really long.

Viktor Petrova was the first to talk. "Mr. Rossi."

Luca looked at him. Nodded a little. "Mr. Petrova." His voice was deep and calm. "Thank you for seeing me on short notice."

Elena did not move. She was still watching him. You could tell she was annoyed even though she looked calm.

Viktor pointed to the seats. "Lets sit down."

Luca walked forward. His movements were slow. Two of his guards stayed near the door quiet and watching. Elena saw the difference away. Her fathers guards stood up straight. Lucas guards looked... Calm.. In a way that made them seem more dangerous.

They all sat down.

Elena stayed standing.

Luca looked at her for a moment back at Viktor. It was like her reaction did not matter. That made her more annoyed.

"I think we both know why we are meeting " Luca said calmly. "Working together is good for both of us."

Viktor nodded. "Your ports will help our trade."

"And your land to the east will help me " Luca said.

They talked like Elena was not there.

Elena crossed her arms. "You are talking about me like I am something you can buy."

Luca finally looked at her. His dark eyes did not show any feelings. "You are part of the deal."

Her jaw got tight. "I do not want to do it."

"It does not matter what you want " Luca said.

The way he talked, calm made her even angrier.

"You do not even know me " she said.

"I do not need to " Luca said.

Elena let out a breath. "You are marrying someone you do not know for power."

"Yes " Luca said.

He did not hesitate.

That made her more annoyed.

She took a step closer. "I am not easy to get along with. I do not listen to orders. I do not act like a wife."

Luca leaned back a little watching her. "I understand."

"That does not bother you?" Elena asked.

"No " Luca said.

"I will not be easy to handle " Elena said.

"I am not looking for easy " Luca said.

Elenas eyes got smaller. He was not reacting the way she thought he would. No anger. No defense. Calm answers that felt like walls.

"You can still walk away " Elena said quietly. "This does not have to happen."

"I do not walk away from things that can help me " Luca said.

Power. Influence. That was all he cared about.

She turned away quickly done with the conversation. "Then you are wasting your time."

She started to walk

"Elena " her father said.

She stopped,. Did not turn around right away.

"Sit down " Viktor said firmly.

She turned to him slowly. "I said what I needed to say."

"And now we move forward " Viktor said.

He opened a drawer. Pulled out a thick paper. The sound of the paper on the desk was loud.

The contract.

Elena looked at it.

"This is the deal " Viktor said. "Marriage, shared interests, protection."

One of his guards put two pens on the desk.

Luca did not move. He just watched her.

Elenas chest felt tight. "You are serious."

"Yes " Viktor said calmly.

She looked at Luca. "You are really going to do this?"

"Yes " Luca said.

Course he was.

She walked back each step feeling heavy. The guards made it clear. This was not a choice. Lucas men stood near the wall quiet. Her fathers men stayed near the door.

She picked up the contract. Looked at the first page. It was all stuff. Sharing land. Politics. Marriage.

Her name was already on it.

"So this is it " she said quietly.

"Yes " Viktor said.

Elena put the paper down. "I do not want this."

Her fathers face did not change. "You know why it is necessary."

She did.

That did not make it easier.

Her fingers were over the pen. For a moment she thought about saying no. Walking out. Fighting.. She already knew what would happen.

Being Viktor Petrovas daughter meant she had to make sacrifices.

She picked up the pen.

Paused.

Then signed.

Luca signed after her, smooth and calm. No feelings.

The deal was done.

Viktor took the papers. "It is done."

Elena stepped back feeling weird.

Luca stood up. "You will come with me tonight."

She looked at him. "Tonight?"

"Yes. Pack what you need."

She laughed a little not believing it. "You do not waste time."

"No " Luca said.

She looked at her father. He nodded a little. That was all she needed to know.

Elena. Walked out before they could say anything else.

The hallway felt colder. Her steps were quick and controlled. She did not stop until she got to her room. When she got inside the door closed behind her. Everything felt real.

Anya looked up from putting away clothes. "Miss Elena?"

Elena leaned on the door. "I am leaving."

The maid froze. "Leaving?"

"Tonight " Elena said.

Anyas face fell. "No..."

Elena walked to the closet. Pulled out a suitcase. "It is done. The contract is signed."

Anya hurried to her. "You cannot just -"

"I can " Elena said softly. "I have to."

They packed in silence for a moment. Clothes. Shoes. Essentials. Elena moved like a machine not thinking. Each thing felt like she was putting away a part of her life.

Anyas hands shook a little as she folded a shirt. "Will you come back?"

"I do not know " Elena said.

That made Anyas eyes tear up.

Elena stopped packing. She. Hugged Anya. The older woman held her tight like she did not want to let go.

"I will be okay " Elena said quietly.

"I do not trust him " Anya said.

"Neither do I " Elena said.

They let go of each other. Elena zipped the suitcase.

There was a knock on the door.

One of Lucas guards stood outside. "Mr. Rossi is waiting."

Elena nodded. "I am coming."

She looked at her room one time. The chandelier. The windows. The life she was leaving behind.

Anya squeezed her hand. "Be careful."

"I will " Elena said.

Elena picked up her suitcase. Walked out.

Luca stood at the bottom of the stairs hands in his pockets looking calm. He looked like he had all the time, in the world.

Unbothered.

Unaffected.

His dark eyes looked up at her as she walked down.

Without a word he turned and walked away.

She followed him.