Heart of the Mafia's Captive

Chapter 1: Dangerous Proposal

Lila’s POV

In the evening, when the golden light blankets the historic stone buildings and the shadows start to extend across the cobblestone streets, I have always adored the city. This is a tranquil period of peace before the night sets and the current character of the city shows itself. But tonight there is no tranquility as I gaze out the big windows of our family estate. One just has a strong, gnawing sense of fear.

From his study, the quiet murmur of my father's voice echoes for hours. Though I don't need to, I can not make out the words. The conflict in the house is sufficient to indicate that something is really, quite wrong. I have seen the lines of anxiety on his face develop as he studies, his walk back and forth like someone tormented by his own ideas. Though I know better, he believes he is keeping it from me. When anything is awry, I have always known.

Upstream, my mother is sleeping; her disease saps her last of her will. I have taken care to maintain it that way, since she does not know the whole scope of our problems. She needs calm, not more anxiety. But how can I provide her with that while the world we live in is collapsing?

I try to compose myself and swiftly turn away from the window when I hear feet approaching. Our long-time housekeeper, Rosa, is essentially family. Her customary friendly smile is missing, she glances at me with anxiety.

"Your father wants to see you," she says gently, her eyes full of a melancholy that causes my heart to drop.

I nodded and swallowed a lump in my throat. "Thank you, Rosa."

My mind runs with possibilities as I stroll down the long corridor headed toward my father's study. What could he be interested in discussing? Has Mother suffered anything? About the debts? Every step I feel the weight of doubt pressing down on me.

I inhale deeply when I arrive at the study and then knock. The door opens practically right away, and my father's austere visage meets me. Papers all over his large oak desk, he is seated behind it. Usually so full of love when he looks at me, his eyes seem icy and far away.

Come in, Lila, he says, his voice empty of feeling.

I enter and feel the weight of the place surrounding me. The room smells like leather and old whiskey, the traces of a life of riches and power that now seem like a far-off memory. Sitting in the chair across from him, my hands clasped in my lap helped to prevent tremors.

"Is everything OK, Papa?" Though I already know the response, I ask.

He stared at me for a long time, as though he was closely considering his remarks. "No, darling, nothing is right. Our family is in a crisis, one I worry I cannot protect you from anymore.

Though I force myself to remain cool, my heart thumps in my chest. "What do you mean?"

He sighs and runs his thinning hair through with a hand. Lila, we are really in trouble. The debts had grown to be intolerable. Though there is no way out, I have tried everything. At least legally, no legal method.

His comments imply something that makes me shudder down here. " What are you saying, Papa?"

"I have made a decision," he replies, his voice weighted with surrender. "A choice I hope will save our family even if it means giving something priceless up-offers."

Where this is heading is unacceptable. "What decision?”

The door knocks before he can respond, and a man walks into the room. Tall and wearing a black suit that fits him exactly, he commands attention. His dark hair is slicked back, and his piercing blue eyes seem to pass right through me. I know him, even absent an introduction. Lucca De Luca.

My blood goes cold. This is the man everyone worries about but nobody dares to face; he has been hiding in the margins of our lives, the Mafia lord in charge of the city. And right now he is here at our house.

My father says, up to meet him, "Luca." "I appreciate you coming."

Luca nodded, not turning away from me. "Don Verano; it's usually a delight. And you really must be Lila.

Though his voice is silky, like silk over steel, it has an edge that causes my skin to crawl. I make myself nod, but I can't get myself to talk.

My father replies, his voice quivering slightly: "This is the man who holds our fate in his hands, Lila. "Luca has presented us with a means of escape from our financial woes, a means of maintaining family integrity."

I looked at my father, then back at Luca. His attitude toward me, like that of a predator sizing up its prey, has something sinister and foreboding. "What... What kind of offer??"

Luca moved forward, his face unreadable. " Really, it's fairly straightforward. The Verano family will be saved, your father's debts will be erased, and in return you will be my wife.

His comments felt to me like a gut-reaction punch. As I try to understand what he just said, the air leaves my lungs and my vision narrowed. Your wife, then? But.... but why?

"Because it's the only way," my father replies, his voice begging. "Luca is in charge of everything nowadays. We lose everything if we disagree with this. Everything, Lila, your mother's treatment, our house, our lives.

I fixed both of them, my head whirling. There is no such possibility here. I should be free to live my life the way I want, not sold off like some sort of negotiating chip. Still, the anguish in my father's eyes, his gaze, I understand he thinks there is no other path.

Luca stretched out and grabbed my hand. His grip is strong, his touch frigid. "Lila, you will be well looked after. I am able to guarantee you that. Knowing this, though, once you commit, there is no turning back. Your life will always be different.

I feel as though I am drowning as the room whirls about me. To claim me as his own, this man, this stranger wants me to be his wife. And my dad, the man who has always watched after me, is telling me to follow along.

I managed to mumble, "I... I need time to think," taking my hand away from Luca's hold.

Though his eyes narrowed, Luca nodded. "Take the evening to give it some thought. Still, Lila, this is not only about you. It speaks to the survival of your family.

He turns and walks out of the room with that, his presence still felt long afterward. Looking older than I have ever seen him, my father drops back into his chair.

Tears glistening in his eyes, he murmurs, "I'm so sorry, Lila." Still, there is no other way.

My legs wobble, I stand and leave the study without saying another thing. The weight of what has just happened collapses upon me as I head to my bed. My life, my decisions... are no longer mine.

That evening, sleep seemed to be elusive. Lying in bed, I fix my gaze on the ceiling while the events of the day repeatedly pass through my consciousness. Marry Luca De Luca? Get married to a man who makes everyone who knows his name terrified? The thinking by itself is suffocating.

But what option do I have? I find myself repeating my father's words, his desperation haunting me. He is right, we are imprisoned. Should I object, our family would fall apart. If I agree, though, what kind of life will I be signing up for?

I flip and turn, my thoughts are a whirlpool of uncertainty, anxiety, and resentment. How came this to be? How did we fall so far that our sole choice is this? And with regard to my mother? She has no idea what is occurring; if she did, would she want me to make this sacrifice on her behalf?

I decide when the first dawn light dances across the drapes. Not really, nor a choice either. It is a surrender, a submission to a fate I never desired. I'll accomplish it. I will wed Luca De Luca for my family, not for me. For her mother.

But I know I won't go down without a struggle as I sit up in bed and a chilly resolve settles over me. Luca is mistaken if he believes he can break me or under manage me. Although I could be joining this marriage on his terms, I will find a way to flip the script. I HAVE TO. For my survival as well as for my sanity.

Later that morning, I arrived at my father's study bearing my decision. He glanced up at me, remorse and hope battling in his eyes. "Lila?," he asked.

I nod, my voice even while my heart thumps in my chest. "I'll take care of it, Papa. I am going to wed Luca.

Though it is tinged with melancholy, relief floods across his features. "Thank you, sweetheart." You're acting morally.

But gloom takes hold of me as I leave my studies. This merely marks the beginning. There is now a deadly game underway and I have no idea how it will end. One thing is definite though: my life will never be the same once more.