MANZINO'S ARRANGED BRIDE

TWO

Chapter 2

Manzino's POV

“Step on the brakes, I need to get to Madam Liz's office fast,” I snapped at my driver as he drove across the street as if he was too afraid to deny my car.

Well he should be worried because my car wasn't cheap. It was a Rolls Royce, limited edition that wasn't even on the market yet.

If he got so much as a scratch on it, he'd be sorry.

“Yes boss,” he sat up and increased the speed, earning a slight tug of my lips.

I leaned back in my chair and raised the cigarette to my lips taking a large puff.

Madam Liz has made a name for herself in the underworld with the kind of business she does.

She runs a sort of black market where rich and influential men like me could shop for women literally.

Usually I would never soil my name by patronising such a business but I was desperate even though I wouldn't tell anyone that.

It would be laughable to anyone who knew of me and my reputation to think that but with the circumstances on ground, I couldn't help it.

The godfathers were on my neck. They were like the pillars holding the underworld together.

They kept us in check and made sure we were staying in line even though some liked to cross their boundaries.

I was a f*****g mafia boss, a terror in the underworld, greatly feared by my enemies and even my family but the gpdfathers were sacred.

When they called, you answered, no questions asked. Besides what they were asking of me wasn't absurd, it was quite frankly the bare minimum requirement to lead any underground family like mine.

Any mafia boss had to have a family of his own consisting of a wife and kids. In this case kids were very important because they were the future of the underworld, legacies.

The godfathers were worried that when I die no one would take my place and run my family, well at least no one with the Manzino blood running through their veins.

I had trusted men around me I could hand over to but the law was sacred, only blood could succeed the current boss in this organisation.

If I refused to marry, I'd be asked to step down or risk a hasty, bloody overthrow.

I wasn't worried of the hasty bloody overthrow, I could hold my own but I couldn't risk the lives of my family members like that.

And if marriage was the solution then I'd f*****g do it.

My driver pulled up in front of a four storey building and I got down, refusing to wait for him to open the door for me.

With long strides, I made my way towards the security guard standing there.

At first glance, he didn't recognise me so he stood in my way, blocking the entrance.

Once realization set in, he trembled and fell to his knees in front of me begging for mercy.

I scoffed, threw my cigarette on the ground and brushed past him as I entered the building.

I didn't care who it was, if they were pretty or ugly…I just needed someone who could pass off as my bride.

Someone who could birth my kids and the future leaders of my family one day. Anyone with a good pair of genes would do.

“Sir…Mr. Manzino, I apologise for earlier,” the security guard caught up to me as I reached the front of the elevator.

My hands were outstretched to press the button when I noticed it wasn't on. That can't be right.

Turning to him, I waited for an explanation.

He trembled and fell to his knees again. “Manzino I apologise but the elevator has been out of service for a week now.”

I scowled and tapped my gun which was safely tucked into the strap around my waist. “Is that so? You expect me to take the stairs, is that it?”

“No Ma..I mean…”he stumbled over his words and I sighed, slipping the gun out of its holster.

“I hate sweating so if you don't send for someone in the next….” I paused to look at my watch. “1 second, I'll blow your brains out.”

I wasn't kidding.

He nodded and quickly sped off, the sight of him pathetic to watch so I looked away and took in the view instead.

It was a decent place. I bet there were other office here but this floor was bare with nothing to look at.

With a grunt, I looked down at my watch just as hurried footsteps reached my ears.

Looking up, I saw the security guard racing towards me with three men looking completely frazzled.

They muttered a quick greeting and got to work, anxiety rolling off them in waves.

After what felt like a decade, the elevator was back on and I got on it, pressing the button for the fourth floor and leaning back as I waited.

The elevator opened on the fourth floor and I got out, sauntering towards the reception desk with an air of arrogance and confidence.

The receptionist, Shirley, I remembered her name from last time jumped up from her seat and ran across to join me.

“Me Manzino, we weren't expecting you.”

“Hmm, take me to Liz.” It wasn't a request.

She led the way towards a single door in a big hallway past serval potted plants and a large white wall.

I pushed the door open, the concept of knocking lost on me. “Hello Liz, miss me?”

The woman was seated leisurely in her office watching a movie on the TV screen and laughing but when she saw me, her eyes widened in horror and she quickly turned off the TV.

“Manzino, this is a surprise…” she stumbled over her words and I rolled my eyes.

I leaned against the wooden table in front of her and picked at the invisible dirt on my nails. “How long has it been Liz? Two days? Surely you should have a bride for me already.”

She stammered and fumbled with her words some more.

I placed my gun on the table tired of her ramblings and glared at her. “Do you have a bride for me or not?”

I had no time to waste.

She was about to say something before her eyes fell on the gun. She gulped and then her face lit up in a fake smile. “Oh Manzino of course. Please have a seat.”

I ignored her fake show of hospitality and watched as she dug into her drawers.

She pulled out a file and handed it over to me. “She'd be perfect for you Manzino!”

I eyed her then the file suspiciously. “Are you sure the girl has given her consent?”

She nodded a little too quickly. “Of course. Amelia Ford is delighted to work with you.”

“Hmm,” I hummed and stood up from the table. “Well, see you later Liz.”

I told her as I left the office with no intentions of ever seeing her again. With my bride's details in my palms, there was no reason for us to meet except if I found the girl to be of questionable character and needed a replacement.

Hopefully it didn't come to that. For her sake and mine but mostly for her sake.