Chapter five
1084 Words
JAKE
“Don’t joke with me, Marco.”
“I swear on my kids, Jake. Alessandro came around just 30 minutes after we signed the paperwork for the estate, demanding to know what you were up to.”
“And how much did you spill?” I took a step closer, my voice low but dangerous. Marco shuffled back, visibly trembling.
“Not much—just about the estate you purchased and the warehouse downtown you’re planning to buy.”
“The warehouse?!” I thundered, rage flaring.
“I’m sorry. I did it to save my kids. He had his men lurking outside their school. Please, man.”
“You should count yourself lucky I’m not in the mood to make your children fatherless today.” I growled and stormed out.
Alessandro Rossetti was playing his twisted games. Fine—I’d play along, but only until I could crush him.
Outside, Enzo and the boys waited by my car.
“You’re lagging on feeding me updates, Enzo.” I said, not caring who heard.
“We were caught off guard,” he started, but I cut him off.
“There’s no such thing as being caught off guard. What now?”
“One of our warehouses was burnt down—goods destroyed, and four of our men are dead.”
“What the f**k were you doing? j*********f? Handle this, or I’ll break your fingers so you can’t do either.” I grabbed Enzo’s collar, my voice cold and low.
“You’re getting too comfortable, Enzo,” I warned, straightening his collar.
“Don’t come back without something concrete I can use.” I ordered, then got in the car and drove off.
I knew who was behind this. Alessandro. But why give his daughter to me and still attack my business? Something didn’t add up. First, I had to become a married man. The rest would fall into place. Poor Viviana—more pawn than wife in this deadly game.
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VIVIANA
“These silver heels are perfect for you. They’ll look amazing with the wedding gown we picked.” Livia held them up, giggling.
“Vivi, you don’t look excited. You always loved shopping, but since we got here, you haven’t smiled once.”
“The wedding is tomorrow. I feel more trapped than ever. Love? Peace? Not for me.” I blinked back tears.
“At least he’s handsome. And has a good physique,” Livia teased, grinning.
“Whatever you’re doing isn’t working. I’ll be right back—I need to make a call.” I forced a smile and walked out.
Part of me wanted to tell Dante the baby was aborted. The other part wanted to keep him in the dark. Which was worse? What could go wrong?
“Hey babe.”
I spun around, recognizing the voice. “Dante?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you before you ran off with prince charming. You look fucked.” He smirked.
“I don’t need you seeing me like this.” I turned to go back inside.
“Does he know? That I f****d you and you’re carrying my child?” He closed the distance with a wicked grin.
“Don’t tell me you killed my child because of him.” His eyes bore into mine.
“I’m not a murderer.”
“Born and raised by one, though. Runs in your blood.”
“Why are you here?”
“To check on my baby mama.” He reached to touch my hair.
“Don’t touch me. I’m not your baby mama. That child isn’t yours.” I snapped and tried to walk away, but he grabbed my arm.
“Who does it belong to? You were so tight I can tell you haven’t let any man in there. So who?”
“There are ways to stay tight after sleeping with other men,” I blurted out.
He laughed. “I saw blood. I was the first. Damn, it felt good.”
“You’re a coward for taking advantage of a drunk woman.”
“Can’t miss an opportunity when I see one.”
“God help you if you terminated that pregnancy without my consent. You’ll regret it.” He shoved my face hard and pushed me away.
“You got me drunk on purpose.” I sobbed.
“So what if I did?”
“Didn’t your mother teach you not to bully women?” A voice cut in.
“Jake Giordano. Pleasure to see you before you hop off the single train tomorrow.” Dante smiled, sheepish but defiant.
“Pleasure’s mine, Dante. Still running?”
The two men now towered over me, inches apart. Why was Jake here? How did he find me?
“Stay away from her. I don’t want you near my wife.”
My wife? The words felt strange but oddly reassuring.
Both of their faces hardened in anger, Dante's hands folded into a fist ready to punch Jake in the face, but Jake looked oddly calm.
“So, she’s one of your possessions now?”
“Exactly. And I don’t want thieves lurking around my property.”
“No problem, pretty boy. I’ll keep my distance.” Dante shot me a quick glance and walked away.
Jake’s eyes scanned me, expressionless.
“You okay, princess?”
“I’m not your property.” I turned and walked away.
“Privileged to be my property, princess.” He followed.
“Stop.”
I ignored him.
“I said stop!” His voice hardened.
“Tomorrow we wed. You’ll smile for the cameras and behave. Friendly warning. Keep your fiery spirit till later."
“See you tomorrow, princess. Silver heels are prettier.”
“Then pink it is.” I challenged.
“Don’t test me princess.” he chuckled.
The more he spoke more irritated I became.
"Expect nothing less mafioso!" He laughed without turning to me.
Why does everything I do amuse him? It drives me crazy. I stormed back into the shop almost bumping into someone.
"That was one heck of a call don't you think?" Livia smiled broadly beckoning on the shop owner to come closer.
"Mock me if you want. I didn't expect to see any of them here." I snapped scanned the shoes on the shelves.
"I would like to take this one please." I smiled, sheepishly admiring the pink heels.
"Vivi, pink?" Livia stared.
"Yes. It's perfect."
- Writer
