The Mafia's Captive

Chapter 3

He wants me? Why in the world would Stefano Conti want me? Of every other girl in the world that he could have?

The feeling of his touch on my skin sends chills down my spine and the warmth coming from his body on mine surprisingly makes me feel safe.

As if Stefano can read my thoughts, he takes a few steps backward and smiles at me. His smile is charming too, almost too charming for someone as dangerous as him.

"So? Are you here to say yes to my proposal?" Stefano asks walking towards the bar and grabbing a bottle of tequila. I watch him gulp the entire liquid and smash the bottle on the floor, it startles me and causes me to shake in fear.

"I have other important things to do, Aurora. Say yes to my proposal and all of this will end. You and your brother will be free," Stefano says.

I shake my head in disagreement and counter his words. "Except I will not be free because I would become your captive," I say. Stefano sighs and raises a brow at me.

"Captive? You make it sound like I am some ruthless man looking for a woman to add to his collection of maids." Stefano pauses to scoff "If I needed a slave, I could easily hire one. I do not need one actually, I need a wife and you match the criteria, "Stefano says.

Match the criteria? What does that even mean? "What about the other pretty girls in town? Why me? I have nothing to offer. I am in no way capable of increasing your empire. I am weak and poor, so why do you need me?" I asked in a shaky tone.

Also, I am honestly sick of being a pawn in the game between Stefano and my brother. I just wish Cristiano had never gotten himself involved in any of this.

"You are asking way too many questions, Aurora, and it is so starting to make me feel sick." Stefano snaps at me.

"Your job is to say yes to my proposal. Whatever I have in store for you is none of your business but mine," he says in a commanding tone. I will never say yes to Stefano's proposal, never! I refuse to marry a selfish and self-centered man like him. He is dangerous and I am not willing to spend the rest of my life with someone like him. Not even for the sake of my dear brother.

"Well, my answer is no." I manage to say. Stefano turns to gaze at me with a surprised look on his face. He arches a brow at me and gestures me to repeat myself.

"I said no." I say in a much lower tone. Stefano scoffs and laughs hysterically. He shakes his head at me and slowly walks towards me.

"Aurora, I do not take no for an answer. I never have and I never will." He snaps at me through gritted teeth. I can tell that his pride has been hurt by my response to his proposal.

I need to get on his good side instead and not provoke him the more. My next action takes him off guard. I go on my knees and bow my head in front of him.

"Please Sir, please. Give us more time to gather the money, I swear we will, but please spare our lives." I cry out.

Stefano sighs, he squats in front of me and his hand reaches for my cheeks to wipe away a drop of tears from my eyes. "Aurora, I already told your brother. You have till the end of today to say yes to my proposal unless I might unleash my wrath on both of you." He says in a calm yet deadly tone.

"Take her out!" Stefano orders. His boys rush into the bar and drag me out. I cry and plead that he gives me more time but Stefano turns a deaf ear to my words. I end up calling my boss and telling her that I will not be able to make it to work today.

I already feel so stupid for trying to plead with Stefano who looks like he has already made up his mind to marry me or nothing else.

I get home and I meet Cristiano sitting on the floor and occupied with his own thoughts. I settle down beside him and rub his shoulder.

"I am such a stupid older brother Rory, I should never have asked you to marry such a ruthless man as Stefano. I have made up my mind to face the consequences of my own actions, Rory. I just need you to pack your things and run far away so he does not get to you." Cristiano says.

A drop of tears falls from my eyes and I shake my head in disagreement. "No, I am not leaving you. We are in this together. We can run together," I say.

Cristiano sighs and a weak smile appears on his face. "You look tired."

"Yes, I tried confronting Stefano today but it did not go as planned. He seems to have already made up his mind." I say resting my head against the wall.

"Wait, I will get you a glass of water to calm you down." Cristiano says, he rises to his feet and walks towards the kitchen.

In less than a minute, Cristiano arrives back with a glass of water, he hands it to me and I gulp the liquid down my throat. I flash him a grateful smile and mumble "Thank you."

Cristiano nods his head and walks out of my sight. In less than an hour, I feel dizzy, which is weird because I did not feel that way when I had stepped into the house.

I try to fight the sleep but eventually, I have no choice but to succumb to the darkness and when I finally snap out of this trance. I slowly flutter my eyes open and I come in contact with a familiar pair of hazel eyes.

Stefano.