Purchased by the Mafia

5

Mia’s POV

My eyes widened in shock.

“What?! What do you mean? Why should I marry you?” I asked, my mind racing with questions.

His expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with menace.

“I owe you no explanation. You’re lucky to be alive. Ask one more question and I’ll have no choice but to silence you forever. If I were you, I’d shut my mouth and pray to survive.”

His words echoed in my head, making me tremble with fear.

I stumbled backward, but he caught me, his grip like a vice. He pulled me up effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing.

“I hope I made myself clear,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

I nodded, still trying to process his words. He dropped me back onto the floor like a piece of paper. A pattern I was already used to since I got here.

“You don’t have to worry about the s****l aspect of the marriage,” Dante said, his voice devoid of emotion.

“I don’t find you attractive. You’re nothing but a slave to me. I just need you to convince my family that we’re engaged by this weekend. If they like you, which I sincerely doubt, but if they do, we get married. And if I were you, I’d pray they do.”

He paused, eyes narrowing. “Is that clear?”

Nothing about this arrangement made sense to me, but I nodded in agreement, resignation washing over me.

I had begun to accept my fate. But this…

I could swear on my life that I wasn’t interested in marrying whoever the f**k he was, but I had no choice. My freedom was in his hands. I was at his mercy.

The middle-aged woman who had been serving my meals walked in. This time she wasn’t carrying a tray. She came in alongside Matteo, who gave me a warm smile.

I wasn’t used to being smiled at, but I needed that smile.

“Mia, right?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Yes,” I responded promptly.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re getting married to Dante in a week or so,” Matteo said softly.

“A week?” I exclaimed, disbelief in my voice.

Dante walked in, his eyes fixed on me. “Is there a problem?”

I trembled under his gaze. “No,” I stammered, forcing the tears back.

“Good,” Dante said, expression unyielding. “Matteo and Rebecca will instruct you on what to do, what not to do, what to say, and what not to say. You will follow their instructions exactly. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” I said, lowering my head.

Dante exited, leaving me with Matteo and Rebecca.

“If anyone asks how you met Dante, you’ll say you met in London, where you attended school, and that you’ve been in a relationship for a year,” Matteo instructed.

“Make them believe you’re deeply in love with him. And from now on, your name is Ella Harry Watson. Daughter of Harry Watson.”

“Why do I have to change my name?” I asked. “My father is dead, and my stepfather isn’t Harry Watson. How do I explain that?”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Matteo said firmly. “Just do as you’re told.”

He said and left, leaving me with Rebecca.

“Follow me,” Rebecca said, leading me down the hallway.

I scanned the surroundings for the first time, taking in every detail. We went two floors below the one I was kept and she pushed open the door to the most beautiful room I had ever seen.

“This is your room,” Rebecca said. “Get dressed. You’ll be meeting Dante’s grandfather tonight.

Everything you need is in here. I’d advise you dress in a way that convinces him you’re from an influential family.”

She turned and walked away before I could respond.

I swallowed hard. The thought of meeting Dante’s grandfather terrified me more than marrying a dangerous mafia boss.

I opened the wardrobe and ran my fingers through the expensive dresses. I chose a red silky gown with a slit in the front. Simple yet elegant.

I brushed my long, curly hair down. For the first time I realized how beautiful it was, even with my pale skin.

I took a long bath, then dressed. Silver jewelry to match the dress. Foundation to cover my pale skin. Bold red lipstick that gave me a powerful aura. Silver heels that fit perfectly.

Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at a version of myself I’d never seen.

“Ella Harry Watson,” I whispered, taking a deep breath.

Rebecca took me downstairs where Dante was waiting, impatient.

“What took you so long?” he asked.

“I… I was…”

“Shut the f**k up,” he said, walking out.

I was so lost I didn’t know whether to follow him.

He suddenly stopped and looked back.

“Do you need to be held at gunpoint before you follow me?”

Without hesitation I followed him. With his security, we drove for thirty-five minutes.

The cars stopped in front of a grand white mansion. It was beautiful.

He got out and did something I wasn’t expecting.

He walked to my side and held my hand. In the most romantic way.

I was confused as hell.

“Act along or you lose your life,” he murmured, smile bright. “Don’t ever think you mean something to me. And while you act, keep in mind that you’re nothing but a slave to me. Ella Harry Watson.”

His words pierced me, but I kept my head up and smiled. My job was to make his grandfather believe I was Dante’s lover.

Inside, everyone was there. I scanned the room but couldn’t identify his grandfather.

Still holding Dante’s hand, I wore the prettiest smile I could manage.

“Dante, it’s been ages since I last saw you,” said a beautiful petite lady as she approached.

“Yeah, I’ve been busy with work,” he said, hugging her.

She noticed me and before she could ask, Dante spoke.

“Ella, meet Alysia, my younger sister. Alysia, meet Ella, my fiancée.” His face showed zero emotion.

“What?! You got engaged? When? How? You didn’t even tell me you had a girlfriend! You deprived me of my duties as your baby sister!”

She looked at me, smiled brightly, and pulled me into a hug.

“You’re so beautiful, Ella. Can I be your bridesmaid?”

“Of course,” I replied, smiling back.

Joy filled my heart as I conversed with Alysia. I couldn’t even tell if my happiness was real or fake. Either way, I was smiling ear to ear.

Our pleasant gathering was abruptly interrupted by silence. Mr. Gambino had arrived.

Everyone fell quiet the moment they saw him. I instantly noticed the striking resemblance between Dante and his grandfather. It was undeniable. Dante was the younger version of Mr. Gambino.

We all moved to the dining table, already set with a variety of foods and fruits. As everyone took their seats, all eyes turned to me. Including Mr. Gambino’s. He sat beside Dante.

His gaze was just as intimidating as Dante’s.

The cooks served each person their preferred dishes. I was astonished by the luxury. I’d never seen anything like it in my life.

As conversations started, Mr. Gambino cleared his throat.

“Thank you all for honoring my invitation,” he said, eyes scanning the room.

“I’ve decided to host dinners occasionally to check on my children and grandchildren’s well-being. Remember, it’s not just about work. I care about this family.”

“Something uncommon has happened today and it excites me,” Alysia said, looking between me and Dante.

“Dante, who is she?” Mr. Gambino asked, his eyes on me.

I was still smiling ear to ear.

I was so scared I’d break character. My hands shook as I placed the cutlery down, waiting for Dante to answer.

“Grandpa, this is Ella. We recently got engaged,” he replied, calm and collected.

The room fell silent. Everyone was in shock, sensing something was wrong.

“Engaged? I never knew you had a girlfriend,” Valentino said. Her voice was laced with disbelief.

“Valentino thinks Dante is gay, she has been telling that to everyone,” Alysia whispered to me, chuckling. “He used to bully any girl who tried to talk to him growing up.”

“Oh, really?” I said, smiling back at her.

Mr. Gambino’s eyes narrowed. His curiosity was obvious.

“Are you really engaged to Dante?” he asked, voice firm but measured.

I was torn. I had the chance to tell the truth. That I was abducted. That his family would finally see the kind of man Dante was.

But I remembered Dante’s warning. Fear held me back. I’d forgotten I was even being asked a question. I hesitated.

Under the table, Dante gripped my hand. Tight. A not-so-subtle reminder of his promise.

The room stayed silent. All eyes on me.

Until Mr. Gambino cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

“Is she okay?” he asked Dante.

“Are you okay?” Dante asked me, his smile eerie and unsettling.

“Yes,” I said quickly. “I’m fine. I’m sorry, I get nervous around new people. I mean… this is the first time I’m meeting my fiancé’s family.”

“Where’s the ring?” Valentino asked, eyes fixed on my bare fingers.