CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO MAFIAS

His virgin bride

KERIEN

My heartbeat echoes loud in the silence that fills the church. I really want to turn to the stupid congregation who must have known about this all along, but right now, I have to focus on Dad. I need answers and my ears itch to hear the next word that comes from his mouth.

“I’m really sorry, Kerien… I’m sorry.” Those are the last words Dad says before he walks out of the church.

No. This can’t be happening. My own father sells me off? Betrays me in the most heartbreaking way and walks away like I mean nothing to him?

Someone should pinch me. I must be dreaming. The loving father I know would never do this to me. I scream. I try to run after him, but one of the bodyguards holds me back, receiving a resounding slap.

“The next time you try that, you won’t live to tell the story,” the groom says behind me, tapping my shoulder. My eyes drop on the bodyguard holding his cheek, red and scratched.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” I yell, flinging his hand off. I look toward Dad who is already at the center door.

“I hate you! From today, I hate you! You betrayed me in the worst way possible!” I cry out. Dad doesn’t say a word. He only nods and walks away.

I drop to the floor and cry like my heart is being torn apart. Of course, it has been ripped apart, shattered by that one person I never imagined could do it. My gaze drops on the white gown I’m wearing and everything dawns on me—the reason Dad gave me the gown as a birthday gift and why he asked me to wear it today. Everything is beginning to make sense.

My heart breaks even more as the groom— grabs me roughly.

“You better accept your fate. Crying won’t save you,” he whispers coldly. Then he tells the priest to seal the marriage.

“There are no rings,” the priest says.

“There is no ring. Seal this thing, motherfucker, before I blow your f*****g brains out! We have wasted enough time!” he thunders.

The priest stammers but finally declares the union sealed in the name of God.

I stand still, lost for words, watching as men walk in and drop bundles of money on the altar.

So this is it? My fate... A wife to a cold, heartless man… A man who looks and sounds like a mafia. A man with no fear of God?

This isn’t the life I dreamed of, No! this doesn’t make sense.

*********

There are different delicious meals in front of me, but none of them interests me. I have lost my appetite since that bombshell in the church—the moment my father sold me out to this man sitting right here, I lost the urge to do anything. Even eating feels impossible.

The sound of his clattering cutlery makes my stomach churn, but I can’t leave the dining room. It’s our wedding night, and I’m expected to wine and dine with my so-called husband. I hate to admit that he is, and I know I am never forgiving Dad for doing this to me.

“Will you just sit and stare at the meals before you? Won’t you eat?” he says, dropping the cutlery in his hand like he actually cares.

“And if I don’t? you will kill me just like you kill people? Or you will threaten to kill my father again?” The words fall from my mouth before I can stop them, and I instantly regret it.

I see the rage in his eyes, how his hand twitches and my legs tremble as he stands, leans closer, and stretches his hand like he wants to strangle me. But then, he drops it and mutters, “Not today,” before going back to his seat.

“No, go ahead. Strangle me like you always do to innocent people,” I fire back.

“That’s enough, Kerien! Don’t test me!” he snaps. In the heat of the moment, the knife in his hand slips and drops on his leg. Blood gushes out instantly.

Shock grips me, still.

The almighty Jason Roderiguez would rather hurt himself than lay a finger on me. This is the same ruthless man my father wants me to live with? How is that ever going to be possible?

I scroll through my phone, completely ignoring his wound and the nurses already rushing in to attend to him because he has everything at his beck and call.

Later that night, I am sitting by the edge of the swimming pool, letting the cool breeze touch me when I receive a message. One of Jason’s men tells me Jason wants me in his bedroom. I hesitate initially, the urge to resist is strong. But then I remember who he is—the man people call the most dangerous mafia in Bellyham city. My friends flood my DMs with messages, warning me, telling me to be careful when the news of our marriage spreads around the town like wildfire.

Goodness ! I am not safe if I say no to this man because I have too much to lose—my life, and my father’s.

When I walk into his room, he doesn’t waste time. “Change into that lingerie,” he says, pointing at a red outfit on the couch. He sounds calm but serious.

Then he says something that freezes me. “Your father told me you are a virgin. Just the way I like my bride…” He keeps his eyes on his phone like it’s no big deal.

I feel my heart drop. So that was part of the deal? That’s why Dad was always so proud that I was a virgin at 29, always saying I should wait until marriage because he planned to sell me off like some perfect product?

Jason walks up to me before I can speak. I haven’t even changed into lingerie. He pulls me close without asking.

“Give me a moment to change first,” I say, pointing at the couch, trying to slow things down. But he doesn’t stop. His hands are firm, his face close.

“I’ll be gentle,” he whispers, kissing my cheek softly, his breath warm against my skin.

“Why are you being kind to me?” I ask, confused, peering into his eyes.

“Because you’re my wife,” he responds softly.

“We shouldn’t rush this… I—“

“We shouldn’t rush our marital duties? Common, this is the best time… and like I said, I will be gentle.” He coos while taking off my panties.

A part of me wants to fight because I shouldn’t be letting this man caress me, he shouldn’t be touching me, but I have to obey orders, there is a lot to lose.

Well… let him go ahead now. At least he won’t notice, he won’t find out what I’m trying to hide because he is lost in ecstasy.

Few moments into it, he hesitates and rushes to the wardrobe to get something, a white piece of cloth.

My facial expression tells him that I’m wondering what he would be using that for as he places it under my butts.

“To absorb the bloodstains, my love.” He says and gives me a peck like he has just read my mind.

Bloodstains?

I thought he has been driven by ecstasy and Dad had told him I am a virgin.

Why is he concerned about the bloodstains?