Conquered by the Mafia Boss

No, you’re not.

“If everything goes well, maybe you can visit Maya on a regular basis.”

“The Maya I knew never needed permission to hang out with her family.”

He clasps his hands together as a smirk widens his face. “That was before she got married to me.”

Screw you.

“Stop acting like I’m the bad guy. Our families were at war, and I don’t trust you yet. I can’t have you around my son.”

I bristle instantly. “I would never do anything to hurt a child!”

“It’s nothing personal.”

Like hell it is!

“You have no idea what it’s like to be a parent.”

I want to break something. “Why the hell are you here?”

“To give you an incentive, hon. Help me calm Jack down, and I promise you time with my wife and our son.”

My heart crashes against my ribs. I miss her- God, she’s the only friend I have now. “What do you mean, ‘Calm him down?'”

“Jack’s been going through some rough times after the death of his brother.”

Blood rushes to my head at the mention of him. The men wearing leather cuts. One of them looked both ways down the hall before entering the room, which was dark. The nurse’s screams still echo in my ears.

Jesus fucking Christ.

“I’m hoping that having a wife will take the edge off some of his behavior.”

“He-he really wants to find out who did it.”

“Yeah, I’m looking into it.”

Johnny’s voice blackens and a pain hits me square in the chest. If they knew what I knew, there would be no mercy. From both sides. I swallow hard and force myself to look at John.

“Anyway, just get close to him. Calm him the fuck down. I’m not expecting a miracle, but I’d really appreciate it.”

I give him a stiff nod. “I’ll try.”

I doubt I’ll be able to make a dent in his behavior.

Smiling, Johnny stands up just as the wedding march begins, and my stomach takes a sickening turn. My throat thickens and I brace myself on the vanity, breathing in deep, shuddering breaths.

“Oh shit. It’s starting.” His grin falters as he watches my face. “All right, I’ll get out of here. Congratulations,” he adds quickly.

“Thanks,” I say as he disappears behind the door.

I stand up, shaking as I hold the bouquet. Jesus. Why did I agree to do this? And why the fuck did we have to have such a big wedding?

I enter the room where all my bridesmaids are waiting for me. Maya, my maid of honor, squeezes my hand right before she leaves. Then the doors open and my dad appears at my elbow and I’m half hoping that Jack fled, but he’s right there. He’s wearing a gorgeous tux with a bright-yellow handkerchief in his pocket, just like the flowers I’m holding.

Don’t faint.

Everyone stares as I make my way down the aisle, and I wish that I could vanish on the spot. What a fucking nightmare. It’s all constructed-the flowers, the priest, even the groom standing at the altar, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. Dad gives me away and Maya takes my bouquet, and then there’s nothing between Jack and I. His face looks drawn in and pale, as if he spent last night drinking. Can’t say I blame him.

I barely listen to the priest, only remembering when I’m supposed to nod and mutter meaningless phrases. Jack says something about “pledging my eternal love,” which we both know is bullshit. He slides a ring on my hand and then his clean-shaven face comes within centimeters of mine. The moment I feel his breath on my lips I lean forward, irresistibly drawn to the taste of him. Shocks of pleasure zap down my spine as he kisses me. The crowd screams with delight. Before I can really savor it he breaks away, blanched. We walk down the aisle, hand in hand.

Holy fuck, we’re married.

The chaos follows us all the way to the street, but the whole thing is so dispassionate. Every movement is calculated. Jack opens the door to a Mercedes and I climb into the backseat, picking up my dress. He turns and waves to the others, and his smile disappears the moment he joins me. My ears still roar with everyone’s cheers. They echo inside me hollowly.

Jack looks ill at ease. I think about Johnny’s plea and I look at my surly, discontent husband. I’ll have a better chance taming a lion than him.

We sit in silence for a few minutes.

“I need a drink.”

He almost gives me a smile. Then he digs the champagne from the ice bucket in the backseat. The cork pops loudly and he shakily pours two flutes of bubbly, golden liquid, handing one to me.

“Congratulations, I guess.”

I guess.

We clink glasses in what must be one of the most depressing cheers ever and then we drink. Jack inhales his glass. My nerves refuse to flatten, even as Jack pours a second drink for me and I gulp that down, too. I hold mine out for another, but he shakes his head.

“There’s nothing more tacky than a drunk bride.”

“So you can get drunk but I can’t?”This content is © NôvelDrama.Org.

He grins as he downs another glass. “I can hold my liquor.”

‘Cause you’re a drunk.

“It’s the only way I’m going to get through tonight.”

“And what about me?” I begin in a heated voice. “How am I going to get through it?”

Jack sets his drink down and slides over the seat so that his thigh presses against mine. I feel the shock of his touch like an electric jolt. His mouth breathes over my ear. “You’ll get through it and make me look good, or you’ll be punished when we get home.”

I look at the ring glittering on my finger. It’s beautiful, but everything feels so wrong. Every dream I had about my life is destroyed, and I did it to myself.

“Jack, I need to know that everything will be all right. Please. I can’t do this unless-”

“-Everything will be all right,” he says, deadpan. “Do you feel better now?”