Gambling with the mafia

Chapter 4- Ciara

I wake up with a start and sit up abruptly, and then my head spins and I'm hit with nausea. So I sit and breathe for a minute just taking in my surroundings, and wonder where the hell I am. The room is massive and the bed I sit on is like a cloud and there's a huge window taking up a whole wall but… how did I get here? It's still Las Vegas. I remember seeing pictures of the strip and it looks like the view from the window. And then my heart begins to race when I vaguely remember being stalked on my walk back to the shelter. Slowly I climbed off the massive bed and am so thankful my stalker never took anything except my shoes off, and there's no usual ache between my legs like when Simon climbed atop me.

I slip my shoes back on and grab my duffel bag off the dresser and sneak out of the room. My eyes search for any signs of life in the dimly lit home? Mansion? Why is this place so huge? I go down the hallway and again look for anyone around and when I don't see or hear anything I make my way to another visible hallway and pray the front door is this way. There's an entryway and it does look like the front door so I open it silently and peek my head out and then a blaring alarm starts to go off so I run out the door to the elevator in a panic.

I push the button but nothing is happening and my heart is pounding out of fear I'm about to piss myself. And then I'm being picked up from behind and so I scream and kick but they have my arms pinned so it's not much of a fight for them. They carry me Kicking and screaming back into the apartment mansion.

Then I am gently put down which isn't what I expected so I stopped screaming immediately. I turn around and see my captor is the businessman from the diner.

“What the f**k man?!” my face heats in anger. “Good morning to you Ciara.” He drawls. “You kidnapped me!” I scream back, what the hell is wrong with this guy? “I'm running out of time and I have a business proposal for you that I need you to hear now. Not at your convenience.” He is completely calm as if he didn't drug and kidnap me right off the street. “You drugged me.” I cross my arms over my chest, “What makes you think I'll trust anything you say now?” I ask him in the strongest tone I can muster. “You're right you might not trust me now but just hear my proposal before you leave. I won't keep you here if you don't want to do it.” He says, his beautiful green eyes look serious. I sigh, “What is it?”.

“Marry me and you'll be a 50 percent business partner in my family's business.” He walks into the kitchen as he says this and pulls out two coffee mugs. “What's the business?” I followed him into the open Kitchen. “Well I own the casino as well as some other things I'd rather not discuss until you're wearing my ring.” he begins pouring coffee into both cups, “cream and sugar?” He asks with a smile that takes my breath away. “Um…. Yes. Please.” Not even sure what I was agreeing to anymore. This man in his pajama pants and white tank top with the body of a God could have just asked me to take my pants off with that smile and I would have agreed to anything. He pours cream and a couple of tablespoons of sugar into my cup and I remember he asked if I wanted any for my coffee. Ugh, get it together Ciara. He asked me to co-own his business in exchange for marriage. That's right. “What do you expect of me in this marriage?” I ask him. I take to stirring my coffee so I'm not looking at him anymore.

“The usual marriage duties, live with me, make love to me, children-” “So you want me to be your w***e and pop out kids for you?!” I interrupted him. “No, Ciara. I am interested in you because you're a smart girl. I've been watching you for a couple of weeks now. I want you to be my partner in life as well as business.” He replies in earnest. “Right and what if I don't want to have a personal relationship with you?” I cross my arms over my chest in defiance. “You don't have to immediately, of course. I have no interest in taking you against your will. Please drink your coffee with me and take a minute to consider my offer.” He smiles gently at me. That warms my insides a little.

“Your name was Declan right?” I sip my coffee slowly. He shakes his head yes and makes a noise in his throat in affirmation. “Declan, why me? Why don't you marry some beautiful heiress or model or something?” I ask him. “I don't particularly care to marry someone who isn't smart and resilient. Also you happen to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” I blush at his statement.

“You've been stalking me.” It's not exactly a question but I want confirmation nonetheless. “Yes. I watch you at work and on your way to and from the shelter.” He leans on the counter making his biceps flex. “And me being homeless isn't an issue for you?” I ask, my blush turning to one of embarrassment instead of lust. He scoffs, “Of course not. I will take care of you Ciara.” His eyes darken.

“I accept your offer.” I tell him looking into those dark green eyes I decide I could get used to being taken care of financially. It doesn't hurt that my captor and future Fiancé is basically an Adonis God. “I'll draw up a contract but in the meantime please stay here with me, we'll need to get you a phone and anything else you might need.” He says as he comes around the kitchen island toward me. He holds his hand out toward me and I take it.