Purchased by the Mafia

8

Mia’s POV

I couldn’t believe four days had passed since I started sleeping in his room.

He hadn’t slept there once. He only came in to shower, then left immediately.

And now it was the morning of my wedding.

I was dressed in a luxurious wedding gown.

I thought I’d find a way out before today. But every plan failed.

I couldn’t believe I was about to be a bride to a man who might kill me any day.

Alysia was all over me, taking pictures. She was so nice. She was my only hope. Maybe after the wedding I could convince her to take me shopping. To get me out of the house.

I really hoped it would work.

That was when Alysia noticed I was forcing my smile.

“Ella, are you okay?” she asked, looking closely at me.

There was something weird about me. The moment someone asked if I was okay, I remembered every bad thing that had happened to me. Tears rolled down my eyes immediately.

Could I trust her? Was she anything like her brother?

I looked at Alysia, contemplating whether to tell her the truth.

After a long thought, I decided to. This was my only way out.

Damned if I did. Damned if I didn’t.

“I—” I began.

But then Dante walked into the room.

“What’s going on?” he asked, staring deep into my soul like he could read my thoughts.

“Ella’s been down,” Alysia said quickly. “She hasn’t been herself. She was just about to tell me what was wrong when you walked in.”

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I tried to make Alysia stop talking with my eyes but she didn’t get it.

But Dante did.

At that point I knew I was done for.

“She’s probably just tense about the wedding,” Dante said smoothly. His hands rested on my shoulders. “Ella doesn’t like being around a lot of people. Do you mind giving us a few minutes?”

Please don’t go.

Please don’t f*****g go.

I wished, for once, that someone could read my thoughts.

Except Dante, of course.

“Yeah, sure,” Alysia said, walking out.

Damn.

The room went silent. Like a graveyard.

He didn’t say a word. His grip on my shoulders tightened. When he finally let go, he put his hands in his pockets and started pacing.

I was terrified. I wondered what he was thinking, but his face was neutral. No emotion. I couldn’t read him.

Then he broke the silence.

“I spared your life. I introduced you to my family. I fed you until you forgot you were my slave.”

He paused and turned to face me. His face was red.

He was mad. I’d never seen him this angry.

I knew I was done for.

“What were you going to tell Alysia?” he asked.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.

“Don’t you dare lie to me.”

His voice was low. He didn’t want anyone outside to hear. So he leaned in and yelled it straight into my ear, his hand around my neck.

He was so close. I closed my eyes and shivered in fear.

“The only reason I’m sparing your life right now is because Alysia is outside waiting for you,” he whispered.

“I wouldn’t want her to see your corpse. The next time you open your stinking mouth about this marriage, I’ll kill you. Chop your body. Feed it to my dogs. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes,” I winced in pain.

“Shh,” he said, suddenly calm. Like he hadn’t just shouted. “Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup.”

We heard the screech of the door. Instantly, he pulled me into a hug. Like he’d been consoling me the whole time.

“Are we ready?” Alysia asked.

“Yes,” Dante said. “She’s better now, right, baby?”

“Yes,” I smiled at him. “I’m fine.”

Before now, Dante had already arranged fake parents for me. Created a fake identity. Made my grandfather believe I was from an influential family.

That’s why he welcomed me so easily.

We went to the venue. It was decorated with luxurious flowers. Influential people I’d only heard about were there. Everyone waited for the bride.

Me.

I walked down the aisle with my arranged father.

Dante stood at the end, waiting impatiently for this to be over.

We said our vows.

Then it was time for the groom to kiss his bride.

Me.

I’d never kissed anyone in my life. If I’d known a dangerous mafia would be my first kiss, I would’ve kissed a random stranger first.

He stepped closer and lifted my face.

I’d already closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine.

He held my chin lightly and pressed his lips against mine.

I just followed his rhythm. Did what he did.

Everyone clapped when we pulled away.

His business partners came one after the other to congratulate us.

Smiling while praying no one could see how sad I was might’ve been the hardest thing I’d ever done.

After the ceremony, Mr. Gambino dropped a bomb.

“I’ve planned your honeymoon,” he said. “Paris. One week.”

Dante looked furious. It was obvious.

“There’s no need for a honeymoon, Grandpa,” he said. “I can’t travel to Paris right now. I have work at the warehouse. Meetings I can’t miss.”

I nodded in agreement.

“I completely understand,” Mr. Gambino said. “That’s why I asked Matteo to handle them in your absence.”

Fear ran through me. A whole week. Alone with Dante. In another city.

“The plane is ready,” Mr. Gambino continued.

“Apartment reservations had been made. I told the maids to pack what you and your wife need. The chauffeur is waiting.”

At that point, I knew there was no going back.

The plane was waiting. My old life was officially gone.

I just hoped I’d come back in one piece.

Alysia waved at us from the driveway, her smile bright and completely unaware of what was really happening.

She thought I was going on a romantic honeymoon with the man I loved.

If only she knew.

The moment the car pulled away from the mansion and we were out of everyone’s sight, the air changed.

The warmth disappeared. Dante dropped the act.

His jaw tightened. His eyes went cold. He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, and stared out the window like I wasn’t even there.

He went back to the ruthless, dangerous man I knew.

The man who had threatened to kill me.

And now we had a whole week alone in Paris.