Romanced by the Mafia: The Don's Wife

Rain fell from the sky in sheets, drenching the roads and making the world hazy. Lightning crashed and thunder rumbled occasionally, now more distant, now just behind me. I watched through the restaurant window, as my husband, Kieran, spoke to his first love. They were closer than necessary, her perfectly manicured hand clamped around his arm like a claiming vise. He didn't shrug her off, as he would me. He didn't tell her to stop being clingy, as he would have done to me. I turned away, not bothering to walk into the restaurant. It was my reservation, but I would let them enjoy it instead. Kieran was right where he wanted to be. With Selene clinging to him like he was a hero, instead of a monster. Kieran Kelly was the head of the Irish mafia here in Boston. His word was law, and his presence was commanding. We had been married for two years, a contract put in place by his grandmother, who adored me. He had made it clear that he would offer protection, comfort, any luxury I desired, but that his heart wasn't on the table. I shook my head as I climbed into a cab, giving the driver the address. I had hoped, since Selene had left him at the altar, he would eventually get over her. She had even made it clear she had left him for another man. It didn't seem to matter. I laughed bitterly to myself, watching the rain sheet down across the windows of the car. He had said he would never love me, and he had meant it. When the cab pulled up, I wasn't at our shared home, but at the family mansion his grandmother occupied. I knocked gently, and was let in immediately. A soft Irish lilt met my ears. “Inara? What are you doing here my girl?” I turned, seeing Grandmother Kelly sitting in her chair, knitting something. Likely working on Christmas sweaters. “Hello Nana.” My voice was warm despite all. “I think it's time I call a spade, a spade. Selene is back. And I should…” I took a deep, steadying breath. “I should step aside.” Her eyes crinkled, the same stormy Irish grey eyes as her grandson. She tsked lightly, putting her knitting needles down. “That wanton hussy. She isn't worth the salt God wasted making her.” She spit for good measure, and I smiled despite myself. “Be that as it may, Nana, I can't keep pretending.” I took a seat across from her. “He doesn't…Care about me.” I said it lamely. I couldn't very well tell her that in two years of marriage he had never touched me, and the great grandchild she was waiting on would never come if it was up to him and me together. She narrowed her eyes, grasping my hands. “You've made your mind up then?” Her tone was gentle, her eyes sad. The image of them together in the restaurant, at the table I had reserved for our wedding anniversary, flashed behind my eyes. “I have.” I say gently, touching her hands. “I want him happy, even if it isn't with me.” I say, swallowing down tears. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I look at it, Kieran's name flashing across the screen. “Pick it up. Put it on speaker. I'll behave.” She isn't asking, so I do as she says. Kieran's voice comes through, sounding annoyed. “Inara? Where are you?” I clear my throat. “Not there. Our reservation for two seemed to have already been filled, so I'm heading home.” A scoff on his end. “So petty. I was just making sure Selene knew she was welcome home. Stop over reacting.” A pause as Selene whispered something to him, then her high, trilling laugh. “If you're going to be childish, don't wait up for me. I'll be home late.” The line went dead before I could even argue. Nana had heard all of it. And I didn't want to be Kieran when she had that conversation, judging by the look on her face. “Ill start the paperwork, Inara. And I'll personally draft the divorce contract. That way it's fair.” She sighs, annoyed and sad at once. “I'll have it ready tomorrow morning. And I'll have both of you here to sign it.” I nodded, thanking her. It was all I could do. She sent a black car to take me to my shared home with Kieran. Inside, the rooms were dark, and the house echoed. I would start erasing my presence immediately.