Married to the mafia boss Series

“How are you feeling, Nonno?” I ask my grandfather in Italian. He speaks English, but he’s most comfortable in his language. I also don’t mind the practice, I love how beautiful the language is. I sit in the chair at my grandfather’s bedside, after volunteering to bring up his lunch.

I’ve never really known the man before me and since coming here and seeing how sick he is, I realized how much I don’t know him. Realized how much I want to know him.

“Better now that you are here,” he gives me a weak smile. “You look so much like your grandmother.” I had never meet my grandmother, she died before I was born. I never got a full story on her death though.

My grandfather has been acting nice instead of his usually cold, Don-self, and maybe I can contribute that to his fever and weakness. Either way I like this, I like feeling wanted and loved by a man who never once shown any excitement by my presence or existence.

“Tell me about her,” I place my hand on top of his.

He shakes his head. “I am worried about your brother,” he changes the subject and coughs. “The Cobuzzi family has strong ties to Costa Nostra. We need the Moretti family to stay the main cosca in this borgatta. I have made something for our name and the hell if I’ll let the Cobuzzi’s take it from me. This is my legacy and Lazzaro is taking over. He needs support, they don’t want an American taking over the syndicate.”

“I know you’re worried, Nonno, but Laz is strong and a leader. They will accept him.”

My grandfather shakes his head. “No. This is about you.”

“Me?” I raise my eyebrows and widen my eyes.

“My darling, granddaughter, you have to marry Gaetano.”

“I am,” I blink, confused.

“I can see the look in your eyes. You are conflicted. You don’t want to marry Gaetano and I know why, but you have to.”

My eyes well up. “But Nonno, he’s a monster.”

“I know, mio amore, but this will bring the Moretti and Cobuzzi’s together. It’s the only way they will accept Lazzaro.”

I look away from him. How can he expect me to do this? I thought if I had any hope it could be from Nonno. “I won’t back out. I will do this for you, Nonno,” I force myself to smile.

“You are so strong-willed. So beautiful. I am sorry I have never been there for you. Never truly got to know you or your other siblings and cousins. It is my one regret now that I am leaving this life.”

“Oh Nonno, don’t say that. We all love you, we understand why you did what you did. You created this life for us. We’re Moretti’s. We are powerful.”

“But this isn’t a life you want,” he states and I clamp my mouth shut. Was this a life I wanted? I’m not so sure anymore. “Your grandmother was terrified to have a daughter. Women are not meant for this life, they have no say and they are men’s pawns. You are like her, you want to marry for love.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I shake my head, “This is my life and I can’t change it. I will do what is expected of me because I know how important this is to the family.”

“Mio amore,” he brings my hand up to his mouth and kisses the back of my palm. “You deserve to be happy.”

What did he want from me? Does he want me to be happy or sacrifice it for the sake of keeping the Moretti’s in power? I don’t question him and he doesn’t further elaborate. His eyes slowly shut and he’s back to taking a nap. His sickness keeps him in a constant state of being tired, so every conversation we’ve had since I’ve arrived have been short lived.

I set the lunch tray off his lap and onto the bedside table before exiting the room. I bump into Lazzaro on my way down to the kitchen to get my own lunch.

He’s smiling which makes me uneasy. He shouldn’t be smiling knowing the secret between us. “Gaetano tells me you two have a date tonight,” he claps his hands together. “That’s good.”

“We do?” I jerk my head back. “He didn’t tell me anything about a date.”

“Oh. Then I guess I ruined the surprise.”

“When is this said date supposed to be?” I cross my arms.

“Tonight. You better be on your best behavior, Arabella.”

“You mean, keep my mouth shut about my problem and pretend that I’m, what, madly in love with him? Don’t say something stupid to make him kill me?”

“Exactly,” he gives me a pointed stare. “Just don’t screw things up. I’m counting on you.”

“Whatever, Lazzaro,” I roll my eyes and begin to walk away.

He grabs my arm pulling me back toward him.

“I don’t like my women bruised unless I am the one bruising them,” Gaetano appears from around the corner causes Lazzaro and I to stand up straight.

Did he hear us?

Lazzaro lets go of my arm and clears his throat. “Gaetano, good to see you.”

Gaetano pays no mind to my brother as he flashes a pearly white smile in my direction. “Arabella, just the person I want to see.”

I laugh nervously, “Here I am.”

He not-so-subtle looks me up and down. “I’d like to take you out to my favorite restaurant tonight. I’d like you to wear your best dress and also do your hair and makeup all pretty for me. I’ll pick you up at seven and also, you’ll be spending the night with me.” With that he walks away.

“Don’t ruin this,” Lazzaro says through gritted teeth and follows around the corner Gaetano went.

I curse to myself and want to bash my head against the wall. Spend the night with him… I know exactly what that is code word for. I don’t want to be anywhere near him let alone share his bed and pretend I like whatever he’ll do.

I picture him being the man to take care of his needs before his partner’s. At least if that’s true, maybe it’ll be quick and I won’t have to endure his touch for long. He doesn’t strike me as a cuddler after sex either. I just want to get through this night with the minimal amount of touching necessary. Maybe a few glasses of red wine at dinner will help me get through it or best case scenario maybe it’ll help me forget in the morning.