Forbidden Claim: A Mafia King’s Obsession

Chapter 9: Beginning of a nightmare

Nadia’s POV

My body still shudders from the aftermath of the wedding today. He is just so brutal.

After the ceremony, he orders his guards to take me back to the estate, while he drives in a different direction with a separate convoy.

Now that I’m married to him, what next? Will he force himself on me? Because I definitely do not want that.

He prepares an exquisite suite for me — lavishly decorated and just a few steps away from his own. I can’t even imagine what he actually has in store for me.

A knock on the door startles me. I glance at the wall clock and it is past midnight.

I walk over and open it. The maid who was assigned to me stands there, a bowl of fruit in her hand.

“I’m sorry for bothering you, Mrs Romano. I notice you didn’t eat anything for dinner, so I brought you some fruit,” she explains.

I smile at her. “Thank you, um—“

“Clara, ma’am, “she responds.

“Thank you, Clara.” I take the bowl from her and walk back into the room.

Taking an apple from the bowl, I take a bite and drink some water. Then I lay down on the bed, drawing the covers over my body before falling into a deep sleep.

* * * * * * *

Lorenzo didn’t come back for the next two days. Maybe he despises having me around and wants to keep his distance, and deep down, that gives me some relief — if only for a moment.

I stay confined to my room desperate to avoid the staff. I’d already over heard whispers in the hallways — cruel words calling me a w***e. Saying that I forced Lorenzo into this marriage. If only they knew.

But I don’t care what they say. I only want to survive the monster I’ve been married to.

It is past ten p.m and the gates are suddenly pushed open as several cars drive in. My breath catches in my throat as I realize the monster has returned. I hurry to the window and peer out. He steps out of the car, his white shirt stained with blood. I am certain the blood is definitely not his own. I watch as he makes his way to the front of the mansion.

Panic flares. I rush to the bed, throwing myself onto the mattress and yanking the heavy covers over my body. I shut my eyes tightly, forcing my breathing to slow.

I could hear the sound of his slow, deliberate footsteps walking past my door, then the distant sound of a door opening and slamming shut.

Sighing in relief, I sit up on the bed, resting my head against the headboard. He really didn’t care about me — and that is a good thing.

A few minutes later, the door opens again, followed by the familiar sound of footsteps. My breath hitches as the steps gets closer and closer. I immediately lay back down, draping the covers over my body and closing my eyes tightly.

The door flings open and he walks in, moving slowly until he stops right in front of me and crouches down.

I keep my eyes shut. He can’t do anything to me while I was asleep right?

His bergamot and crisp cedar scent wafts directly into my nostrils. His fingertips shifts the hair covering my face and I hear him scoff.

I didn’t move — didn’t even blink. I just lay there, pretending to be asleep.

His fingers finally leaves my face, and I hear his footsteps retreating, the door opens again and shut with a loud bang.

I let out a deep, heavy sigh of relief, keeping my eyes close until exhaustion finally took over.

“Mrs. Romano, please wake up!”

A hand taps and shakes me vigorously, I stir, reluctant to wake up.

“Please… please, wake up! Mr Romano will have my head if you are not in the dining hall in ten minutes!”

My eyes snap open and lands on Clara, she looks at me with tears in her eyes.

“What do you mean?” I ask, straightening up.

“Please ma’am, we have to go to the dining hall now! just five minutes left!” she shrieks.

I immediately toss the sheets off my body, slip on my flip flops and ran to the door. I throw it open and descend the stairs like a madwoman. Clara follows closely behind me until we reach the dining hall.

Lorenzo is already dressed and seated, his fingers drumming a lazy rhythm on the table. I swallow hard and walk deeper into the room.

He lifts his hand and glances at his wristwatch. “Nine minutes and fifty eight seconds.” He looks up at me and smiles — a dark, devilish smile. “You are quite lucky, Nadia. Someone would have died because of you today.”