The Mafia Lord's Redemption

Chapter 2

For the next few days, Kyle and Amanda continued to have passionate love every minute he could spare. Amanda discovered new sides of him she never thought existed and she was happier than she'd been since they got married which made her fall deeper in love with him.

Kyle finally opened up to her about what he really did for business–a Mafia Lord, he had said. Though Amanda had her suspicions, she'd never expected it would be this, even though the profession did fit him.

“Kyle,” Amanda whispered softly as she woke up to an empty bed, the side Kyle had lain was still warm, even the bedsheets still carried his scent, which was a mix of sandalwood and something darker.

Pulling up the sheets to her chest, “Kyle “ she called again, looking towards the bathroom, but no answer came.

Checking the clock, she saw that it was 5:30 AM. A small smile played on her lips as she stood from the bed and walked towards the bathroom. Even though her muscles ached from all the action, she remembered how tender Kyle had been each time, all the sweet nothings he whispered in her ear when he was inside her.

As she opened the bathroom door, it was surprisingly empty, making her quickly dress up and go down stairs. ‘Maybe he was making coffee,’ she thought to herself.

But as she got downstairs, the kitchen was empty, clean and untouched. The house itself felt cold and unwelcoming making an unusual sense of déjà vu go up her spine.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Bardolf,” Jenkins, the house manager, called from the doorway, his cold expression the same as it has always been.

“Yes? Good morning, Jenkins,” she greeted with a small smile.

“Mr. Bardolf has gone out on business, he asked me to inform you that he does not wish to be disturbed when he gets back,” he said curtly, completely ignoring her greeting.

Amanda felt her heart break as she recognized the words, the same words she'd heard several times before from him.

Taking a brief breath in, she asked, “when will he be back?”

“He didn't say when, Madam. Mr. Bardolf also asked that you move back to your quarters and remain in your designated areas of the house,” Jenkins said, in the same cold voice.

“My designated areas?” she asked in disbelief. “All right. Thank you. Jenkins,” she added.

Jenkins nodded his head and walked away silently, leaving his Master's wife alone with the stark realization that nothing had changed after all.

As she got to her room, tears threatened to drop from her eyes, ‘what changed?’ she thought to herself as she slowly paced back and forth. They had already planned out their future, she had even suggested ways he could make his business legal and Kyle had kissed her and praised her for her brilliant suggestions.

Unable to bear the turmoil going on in her head anymore, Amanda made her way to the library, the Harry Potter novel she had begun to read that night remained just where she had left it.

Just as she had settled into the armchair to continue reading, the library door creaked open.

“So, just because I was away for a few days, you think you can steal my man,”

Amanda's head snapped up to see a tall woman standing in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest.

“I wasn't aware I could steal a grown man from anyone, especially when this man is legally mine,” she replied, though her stomach knotted at the sight of her husband's mistress.

Maya Towers was everything Amanda was not. She was tall and curvy with long dark dreadlocks which fell over her shoulders. Her body was decorated with elaborate tattoos which began from her shoulders and disappeared inside her tight black dress. She had sharp, calculating eyes and full lips which were currently curled in a sneer.

Maya laughed out loud, her voice shrill, “Oh dear, You think a piece of paper means anything to a man like Kyle?” she asked as she walked slowly around the room, her fingers tracing the polished table, “You are nothing to Kyle, but a convenience. A face for his respectable business associates to see.”

Amanda carefully closed her book, taking a deep breath as she did. “If I'm as insignificant as you claim, why then are you threatening me?”

“Oh please, I'm not threatening you so don't delude yourself,” Maya said with a smile that did not reach her eyes. “I was out of town taking care of some business for Kyle, now that I'm back, everything will be back to the way they used to be,” She said then leaned forward and added, “just so you know, I'll make sure Kyle sends you packing.”

Refusing to be physically or emotionally trampled upon, Amanda stood to her feet, “Last night, Kyle made promises to me, he wants to build something true between us,” she said.

Maya's mocking laughter echoed throughout the library, “You've been deceived, you poor little fool. Kyle will say whatever is needed to get you to do what he wants,” she said as she examined her manicured fingernails. “Of course, he needed you to save his life so he told you what you wanted to hear and now that he is fully recovered, he doesn't need you anymore,” she added.

“No, that's a lie. He's changing,” Amanda said, but Kyle's message from Jenkins earlier began to plant a seed of doubt in her heart.

“Kyle is a crime lord,” Maya said, her tone now serious, “he's a killer and a drug trafficker as well as a weapons and human trafficker. Just as a leopard never changes his spots, men like Kyle never change.” Maya slowly moved closer to Amanda, the smell of her expensive perfume filling Amanda's nostrils. “Do you even realise who it is you got married to? Do you know what he is capable of?”

Choosing to stand her ground, Amanda replied boldly, “I know enough.”

“You have no idea,” Maya said, her eyes narrowing, “Kyle keeps you a prisoner in this cage because he doesn't want you to know who he really is. You think this is a sanctuary?” she asked, gesturing to the library, “This is just a prison cell with beautiful wallpaper.”

A chill ran down Amanda's spine, but she crossed her arms choosing to ignore it, “If your plan is to make me afraid, it is not working.”

“I do not need to frighten you, little girl,” Maya muttered, taking a step back. “Kyle will return to his senses, he always does. “He'll be back in my bed by tonight, I can assure you that,” she said with a smile that was as sharp as a knife.

Amanda felt a sharp, searing stable pain in her chest, “Get out,” she shouted.

“With all pleasure, this place smells like desperation anyway,” Maya replied as she turned around to exit the library. When she got to the door, she paused and said, “One last thing, when Kyle sends you away–which he will–don't fight it. Men like Kyle can make people disappear without a trace, remember that.”

As soon as Maya left, Amanda slumped back into her chair, her hands shaking slightly. Though she wanted to admit that Maya said those words out of jealousy, the seed of doubt had taken root in her heart.

‘Was it all a dream? Had she been wrong about how Kyle felt towards her?’ Amanda thought to herself as the hours passed by. Just as the grand clock in the corner struck eight, she heard heavy footsteps in the corridor.

Amanda stood up, straightened her clothes and composed herself.to confront and question him as to why he disappeared all day without telling her.

The library door opened, startling Amanda and Kyle stood there, his massive figure filling the doorway. Though he appeared fully recovered, dressed in a fine suit that suited his beautiful skin, the mask she had previously gotten used to was back in his face.

“I need to speak with you, Amanda,” Kyle said in a chilly, detached tone.

Trying to keep her voice levelled, she replied, “I have been waiting all day.”

Kyle entered the library, but kept his distance, “These past few days was all a big mistake, I was weak from my injury and I couldn't think straight.”

Every word that came out from his lips was like a sharp knife to her chest. Though it was hard, she managed to keep a straight face as she asked, “what about all those things you said…”

“Forget all of it,” he interrupted her, “Just stay out of my way like it has ways been.”

“What about Maya?” she asked even though the name had a bitter taste on her tongue.

For a brief moment, something that looked like guilt or perhaps regret flashed in Kyle's eyes. Then just like that, the mask returned to his face, “Whatever I do concerning my business does not concern you,” he said in a stern voice.

Amanda's hands curled into fists, her nails digging painfully into her palms, “You are a coward, Kyle,” she blurted out.

“Be careful, Amanda,” Kyle replied through gritted teeth, “don’t test my patience.”

Despite her anger, she moved closer to him, “why?” she asked, “why bring me in just to push me away again?”

Choosing to ignore her completely, Kyle said bluntly, “This conversation is over. Remain in your designated areas and please don't test me.”

With that, he turned to leave the library. As he did so, Amanda struggled to stop herself from calling him back to demand for more answers, or to even beg him. but when he slammed the door behind him, pride kept her from doing either.

As she stood alone in the quiet library, Maya's words seemed to mock her, “This is just a prison cell with beautiful wallpaper.” And the funny thing was that it did not seem far from the truth.