Conquered by the Mafia Boss

You know, the event some girls spend their whole lives imagining. The flowers. The dress. The cake.

All those details suddenly feel meaningless, like the vase of plastic flowers sitting on my vanity. What’s the point of this charade? It’s all shit.

“You can’t do this.”

I look up into the mirror, my eyes passing briefly over my joyless face to my right shoulder, where Dad sits beside me.

I never told him about Jett’s threats, and I’m not sure that I should.

“It’s done.”

Anguish crumples my dad’s face.

Please don’t make this harder than it already is.

“We’ll get you married to a nice man-a man in the MC.”

A sigh blows out of my perfectly painted lips. “Daddy-”

“No! I won’t see my only daughter handed off to some fucking dago.”

“He’s not that bad,” I lie.

“I want you to marry a man you’re in love with, not to settle some score between the mob and the club.”

I wanted that, too.

“I’m doing my part to help because I can’t stand the thought of anyone else getting hurt.”

I’m also trying to save my own ass.

Dad’s face screws up in pain and he collapses in his hands, breaking with sobs.

Jesus.

Mary pauses in between doing my makeup as my father’s crying echoes in the small room. I give her a sharp look and she puts the eyeliner down, retreating outside.

“Daddy, it’ll be okay. Really, I’m fine with it.”

My heart seizes when he grabs my arm, lifting his head. “It’s not okay. I can’t believe Jett asked you to do this before asking me.”

“He’s the president. He can do whatever he wants.”

My dad gives me a long look before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a lethal-looking switchblade. I recoil, but he takes my hands and presses the cool metal into my palm, closing my fingers around it.

“Daddy!”

“I want you to take this. I want you to promise me you’ll use it if he hurts you.”

Dad’s red eyes bore holes into mine.

“He- I don’t think he’ll hurt me, Dad.”

“The fact that you don’t know for sure proves that you’re in trouble.”

My fingers close around the cold metal, my heart beating fast. Is he right?

“Promise me, Beatrice. I don’t care what happens, I just want you to be safe.”

My eyes slowly well up and Dad’s face blurs in front of me, and then I wrap my arms around his neck. I’m scared, but I can’t admit it. I’m not going to make Dad feel even worse about this.

“I’ll send in your mother.” He stands up, gently disengaging from my arms. “You look beautiful, Bea.”

Mom doesn’t even ask why I’m crying when she comes inside with the makeup artist. I look into the mirror, hating the sight of my swollen red eyes.

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Finally the makeup is finished and I look like the most miserable bride ever. The guests, I keep reminding myself. They have no idea this is a sham.

A soft knock at the door twists my insides, and suddenly it opens to admit a man wearing a handsome tux. I stand up suddenly, knocking over a can of hairspray with my elbow. It clatters noisily on the wooden floor and Johnny smiles as it rolls up to his feet.

Fuck. What is he doing here?

“I’d like to have a word in private, if you don’t mind.”

Mom gives me an anxious look over Johnny’s shoulder as she opens the door and disappears behind it, leaving me alone with him. Apprehension knots in my stomach as Johnny glances at the door as if to make sure it’s shut, and then he gives me a warm smile that I distrust immediately.

“I-ah wanted to apologize for how I behaved at dinner the other night. My wife-your cousin-wasn’t too happy with how I treated you. I’m sorry.”

The knot in my stomach loosens slightly, but I don’t stop white-knuckling the chair. I scan his smooth face. “It’s okay.”

Johnny smiles briefly before taking a chair beside the vanity and sitting down. He motions me to do the same. I sit down gingerly, my legs like springs. He takes the chair leisurely and places his hands on his knees, leaning in slightly.

“I also wanted to talk to you about your future husband.”

God, that’s what Jack is, isn’t he?

“What about him?”

“I need this marriage to work. As long as both sides need each other, we’ll have peace.”

“Just as long as I stay with him.”

Johnny doesn’t miss the glumness in my voice. “I know he’s a difficult guy-”

“You’re wasting your time. I can’t leave Jack any more than he can leave me. The MC cut me off.”

He bows his head, hiding his surprise. “I’m sorry to hear that.”