Seducing the Mafia Boss

Unwanted Marriage

Silva’s POV



I slam the door to my room and press myself against it, trying to catch my breath. Tonight didn’t go as planned at all. I should’ve known that Gio would find a way to ruin it.

In a fit of rage, I kick my heels off and hurl them across the room. Why does Gio always have to be like that? That was the first moment that we aren’t at each others throats in years, and he has to f**k it up. It’s absolutely enraging and disgusting.

Sinking to the floor with my back against the door, I hear another voice, an all-too familiar one in my head.

You sure that’s the issue, Sil? Or is it maybe because you like him a little bit more than you’re willing to admit?

It’s my mother’s voice.

I hear her sometimes, when things are tough or scary. She comes through like a bell, right in my ear. Sometimes, I really need to hear it, but right now is not the time. I’m furious with Gio. I know in reality, it’s my subconscious torturing me. I know that I have feelings for Gio, but I can’t get past how he treats me. Why do I want him so bad if he treats me like he does?

It’s moments like this that I miss her more than ever. I could really use her advice right about now.

She died when I was a kid, leaving my father to raise me by himself. He hired more nannies than I can count, but he took on the role of “super” parent since she passed away. And I know that his own grief was overwhelming too. I appreciate all that he did but he could be overprotective sometimes and was always thinking about “legacy” and not about his daughter.

However, he’d never talked about arranging a marriage for me. Nothing close to that. And certainly wouldn’t ever consider giving me to the Bonettis!

Or would he?,

Obviously he would, because he did. It infuriates me that he would, in other words, sell his daughter. And not give me heads up. I have to hear it from Gio, of all people. Of course, he would use it as a tool to have power over me. There’s something seriously wrong with that kid.

I shake the thoughts away. My head is spinning.

I keep thinking about how nice his hands felt on my body.. They were so strong and he knew exactly where to grip me to drive me wild. He’s definitely a man who knows what he wants, and before the bombshell, I thought that was me. He just liked having something on me.

I start to imagine what those hands could do to the rest of me if he wouldn’t have ruined the moment. The things I would have let him do to me…I don’t have these thoughts often, but good lord, they are running rampant through my mind now, that’s for sure.

I shake the thoughts once again and get up off the floor. I sigh as I plop down hard onto my bed.

Some f*****g birthday. Full of confusion, anger and f****d-up desire, all rolled into one. Just what every girl wishes for.

All of a sudden, Rose burst into the room, a hurricane of drunken energy but with a frown on her face as she marches towards me with a gaze of concern.

“What the f**k happened, Sil?” Rose demands, slurring her words. “What did Gio do?”

“Not now, Rose, okay? I need to think.” I really don’t have the patience to explain this complicated situation, especially to someone who is barely coherent.

Needless to say, that didn’t work. Rose collapses on the bed next to me instead, cuddling me in a way that is both annoying and endearing at the same time.

“No way. I’m not leaving you alone right now. I saw that asshole make you upset.. Are you alright?” she asks.

I can’t help but laugh as Rose throws her arms around me in an exaggerated hug and reaches up to kiss my cheek. “Stop it, Rose! You need to brush your teeth and take a shower!”

“No, no,” she mumbled, drunkenly petting my arm. “Tell Rosie what happened. Tell me all about it…”

Oh, my god…I just want my birthday to end already.

What happened is my life has turned completely upside down.

“Did you enjoy…your…birthday…” Rose mutters as she begins to pass out.

“Not exactly,” I mumble.

“That’s…nice,” Rose dribbles out as sleep overtakes her.

I sit there a moment, wishing I’d be able to pass out just like Rose. A little oblivion would be welcome right now, but I can’t ignore this. I need to find out what’s what.

Sliding gently out from under Rose’s arms, I get off the bed and strip off the tight dress, which is just bothering me at this point and slip into a pair of yoga pants and a hoodie. I feel more comfortable now and will hopefully be able to think properly.

Grabbing my phone and my sneakers, I quietly slip out into the hall. The last thing I want is for Rose to wake up again. Or follow me, for that matter. I love her to death, but drunk Rose is too much to handle.

Thankfully, the halls are empty. Everyone must still be at the party. Must be nice. I take the opportunity to head to the student lounge for a bit of peace and quiet while I attempt to make an unbelievably painful phone call. I dread it, if I’m being honest. My father isn’t always the easiest to talk to.

And I’m about to question his judgement as a leader.

Before I call, I check the time. It’s already after three in the morning here, he’s undoubtedly awake. In fact, at just after nine in the evening, I have no doubt he is sitting in his office with a whiskey glass and a cigar. Probably going over business reports.

The man barely sleeps anymore.

The phone rings twice and my father finally answers.

“Honey!” he exclaims with gusto. “I’m so happy to hear from you! I didn’t know what a good time to call you was because I assumed you had plans for your big day. Happy Birthday!”

I stay silent for a moment. If I don’t calm myself down, I will blow up on him for sure.

“Something like that…” I mutter, breaking my silence. “Dad, I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me, alright? Can you do that for me?”

There’s a brief hesitation from him, then he responds. “Of course, darling. What’s on your mind?”

“Did you promise the Bonettis that I’d marry Gio?”

He is silent. That right there tells me everything I need to know.

“Dad…how could you?!”

“I’m just trying to stop an all-out war from breaking out here, honey. Try to understand—”

“You sold me to them! Like one of those racehorses you’re always going on about? What’s there to understand?”

Tears well up in my eyes and spill down my face. I wish I could keep them back, but it’s impossible. My heart is broken and I’m full of rage.

“Silva, listen to me—” He pleads with me.

“Why? Why should I listen to you? I’m only eighteen! Happy f*****g birthday to me, right Dad?”

“Silva, don’t forget who you're talking to! He roars at me, but I don’t care anymore.

“No, Dad! You lost the right to be my father when you decided to use me as a bargaining chip for your goddamn business!”

Sobs want to erupt from my chest, but I fight to keep it in check. I need to show him that I’m not weak and that I’m pissed.

“It’s not as simple as that, Silva. Things are bad here, worse than you know. I’m working to keep you safe and—”

“Is that why you sent Bruno here, Dad? To f*****g deliver me to Gio Bonetti in a gift box?” I ask, cutting him off once again.

None of it made sense. Bruno came here telling me to stay away from Gio, but then I found out my father gave me to him? How in the hell does that even work? It is clear that my father is still keeping more secrets, and probably ones that even Bruno—his trusted friend—doesn’t realise.

“Absolutely not. He’s there to keep you safe until it’s time to bring you home. Listen to me now, there’s something going on. Tensions are running high here and my guys are getting whacked all over the place. Someone is after us, Silva. Do you understand me? And I have to do everything I can to protect you and the rest of the family.”

I shake my head, my anger and hurt coursing through me like electricity.

“Too bad there’s no room for me and my feelings in that picture, huh, Dad?”

“Silva, come on now—” he begins but I hang up on him and hurl my phone across the lounge.

I am in disbelief. How could a father sell his own daughter…

My eyes drift towards the large lounge windows, the sun has begun to creep up over the mountains signalling that my birthday is officially over.

Though, it’s definitely one I'll never forget.