Warming The Mafia’s Bed

Why Did He Agree?

"Cameroon, I want you to get married to Tessa. " Mr. Gold suddenly announced, and I turned to ice on the spot.

"What? "I question in shock, and Mr. Gold gives me a straight look.

"Listen, Tessa is not incapable of getting any man she wants. She's not sick or a burden, but she's my little girl. She's going to take over the gang when I'm gone, and I know my brothers would have it out for her. The hot-headed young lady tends to think on impulse when she's hurt and after losing me, I'm scared she'd be vulnerable and very open to attacks. That's why I need your help, Cameroon. Marry my little girl. Help me take care of her. Shield her..."He begins, and I can't help but cut him off.

"But, father... Why me? ... Why this? There are so many other ways I can take care of Tess without getting married to her... Has she agreed to this? "I begin. Panicking a bit, and Mr. Gold stops me.

"It's you because I trust you. It's this because this is my dying wish. And yes... Tessa has agreed to get married to any man of my choosing. "He replies, and my throat dries up.

Tessa agreed to get married to me!? How is that even possible??

"Does she know it's me? "I question, and as Mr. Gold makes to speak, a voice interrupts us.

"I'm just finding out. "

***********

Third Person's Narrative;

Theresa had just walked into the living room, and heard when Cameron was asking her father why he had to be the one to marry her, and suddenly it all fell into place.

"Dad, you never told me that it was Cameron you wanted me to get married to. "She states with a troubled face as she marches further into the room, up to the two men, and Cameron is taken by shock at the sight before him.

Mr. Gold assesses his daughter's appearance and he instantly understands the young woman's intentions.

"Tessa..."He calls in exasperation, but Tessa ignores him and turns to face Cameron.

As Cameron stares at the tall, blue-eyed young lady, he instantly remembers where he had seen her, and why she looked so familiar to him that night.

"It was you. That night. Outside the club... "He says in awe, and Tessa is at first confused, but soon she understands, and her face is taken up by a shocked expression.

"You!? You were the man!? "She questions in irritation and disgust, and Cameron falls silent as he doesn't know what to expect.

On the night when Cameron was attacked by the golden dagger clan, Tessa wasn't in the right frame of mind to register his looks or think much about him. All she wanted was to get to the doctor and find out what was wrong with her father. And now, finding out that the man who was once so helpless and close to death by his fellow men is the man her father wants her to get married to, doesn't sit well with her.

"Seriously, dad!? This man?? Just a few nights ago, I had to save his life! And you want someone like that to be my husband!? Someone who can't even protect himself! Come on, dad! "Tessa begins to rant in irritation, and Cameron can't take her words.

"Tessa... "He calls in annoyance, and Tessa turns to glare at him.

"Dad, this is Cameron! The same Cameron. You know we have never seen eye to eye on anything. How would you expect me to get married to him? When he clearly isn't even capable of being a man. "Tessa says, and Cameron loses it.

"Theresa! "He yells in rage, and Tessa glares at him. Unpleased by the way he called her name.

"Father, I would rather jump into a lagoon, than get married to Cameron. "She then says to her father while still glaring at Cameron, and Cameron returns her death glare.

"This is how you chose to treat my dying wish, Tessa? "Her father replies, and Tessa's breath hitches in guilt before she turns to her father.

Cameron suddenly gets up and adjusts his two-piece suit.

"I agree to the marriage, father. I'd like to get the rest of the details. How, when, and where you want the wedding to hold. "He says, and Mr. Gold and Tessa turn to him in shock, and Tessa almost chokes on her breath.

"I have to take my leave now if you don't mind. I have an impending deal to settle. I expect to hear from you, soon. "He adds, and Mr. Gold smiles.

"Alright, son. I'd send you the details. "He replies, and Cameron bows a little.

"Bye, father... "He replies in Spanish, and Mr. Gold simply nods with a grand smile as he walks out of the room, leaving Tessa frozen in shock.

Why did he agree to the marriage!?? She can't help but wonder to herself.

*******

I'm in my office enjoying the glass of screaming eagle carbernet I just poured for myself. It's ridiculously expensive but I love the black current taste in my mouth, and although a bottle costs about $500,000 it's what soothes me at very troubling times. And it doesn't bother or affect me to keep buying it. Even though it's very rare to find.

"I've been waiting for the last twenty minutes for you to tell me why you agreed to the wedding. "Ez finally breaks the silence as I was expecting him to, and I let out a breath and gently twirl the wine in my cup while staring at the waves of the sea through my office's glass walls, and enjoying the taste of my wine.

"I agreed because I'm Cameroon Heart, and I do whatever I want. "I reply as I finally turn around to face Ez who is flexed nonchalantly on one of the chairs opposite my desk, and he gives me a look, causing me to chuckle lightly.

"bastard... "I curse at him for knowing me so well, and he scoffs.

"Mr. Gold is my father, Ezra. When I had no one else and the world turned its back on me, he was all I had. He took me in and gave me a home. Gave me a family. Showed me love and raised me like his son...

And despite all that he has done for me, he never for once asked me for anything. Not once, Ezra...

And now... Now he's dying. I can't turn him down. And if for the first time ever, he wants to ask me for something. No matter how hard it is. I have to do it... I want to do it for him... "I reply, and Ezra simply raises a brow at me.

"Even if it means marrying his snooty daughter? Cameron, you know what this is right? You know what this means... For the gang, the noise that would surround it, the drama... The rest of her family... "Ez begins, but I cut him off.

"That snooty daughter means the world to Mr. Gold.

EZ, I know what this will take. Okay? I may not be ready for it, but we'd cross that bridge when we get there... "I reply, and he gives me a weird look.

"What? "I question, and he snickers.

"I still can imagine you being a husband. You... "He replies, and I throw the bulk of sticky notes on my table at him, and he laughs.

"What are you going to do about the girl? "He questions and I sip from my glass again as I take my sit while staring at Ez in the mild darkness of the room. It's evening and one can see the sun setting through the glass walls of my office. The night is crawling upon Texas and I am enjoying the soothing calmness the evening brings.

"Nothing. If she manages to convince her father that she doesn't want to get married to me, good enough for both of us. But if she can't pull that off and we do get married. She'd have to deal with being called Mrs. Heart for the rest of her life. "I reply, and Ez falls silent as I take the last sip from my cup...