Sold To The Mafia Don

I was sore by morning. My legs hurt. 

I wondered where Jace got his stamina from because every time I thought it was over, he would spin me into another position, making me scream in pleasure.

This had to be a distracting mechanism and I was ashamed to admit that it was working.

"You're not coming down for breakfast?" He asked me as I came out of the bathroom.

"I can't walk." I said with a groan.

He smirked. "That's perfect."

I glared at him and he seemed even more amused.

"I'll have them send your meal up here."

I nodded. "Thanks."

I went to the mirror and saw the hickey he planted there.

"Oh God." I blushed in embarrassment. There was no way I could go downstairs and let anyone see it by mistake.

It was embarrassing enough that I was screaming profanities and moaning for hours.

Even if the walls were soundproof which I wasn't very sure of. It was too embarrassing to limp into a gathering of judgemental family members. 

The knock on the door told me that my breakfast was here already. I stood up and went to the door but my face contorted into a frown when I saw who had knocked.

"Enzo?" 

"The beautiful Mirabel, yes it is me." He smiled at me.

"Good morning. Don Romano is downstairs." I responded believing he wanted to speak to Jace.

"Oh I know," he grinned. 

"What are you doing here?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I just wanted a one on one chat with you. Is it okay if I come in?"

I immediately felt uncomfortable.

"I think this is a good spot to talk," I said with a stiff smile.

He smiled back too in the same manner. 

"I think you're a very beautiful woman Mira. I'm starting to think Jace married you to keep the rest or us away." He smirked as he continued. "Smart man. But unfair."

"Um," I swallowed. How was I supposed to respond to that?

He placed his hand by the doorway and pushed his face closer to me. I stepped back.

"You know, most of the women who marry into this family end up bitter or...broken. But you? You're too pretty for bitterness and too smart for heartbreak. A lethal combination." His Italian accent was thicker than I anticipated as he said all those words.

He stood back. "Of course I'd never disrespect my cousin's wife..."

Then his eyes glinted with obvious mischief as he kept speaking. "But if you weren't his, Mira. Let's just say we'd be having a different conversation."

Bold of him to assume I would be attracted to his brazenness. 

"I-"

Thankfully Jace walked up just then with the help carrying a tray of my food.

"What are you doing with my wife?" He asked, putting his arm around my waist possessively. 

Enzo smirked. "Relax cousin, I'm just being friendly. You can't blame me for appreciating such beauty."

I wanted to puke. Who exactly did he think he was? Who would be attracted to someone like this?

He walked away with his head high like he hadn't just made a fool of himself to me. He had lost my respect there and then.

"Ignore him." Jace said to me.

I nodded. He did not have to tell me twice.

~~~

Jace was gone for the most part of the day and I just sat in bed, surfing through the internet for different baking recipes. I low key wished I could head down to the kitchen here and practice but knowing how hostile the people here could be towards me, I decided to stay put and practice whenever we got back to New York. Speaking of which, I had no idea when we were returning. We had been here for a few days and it had been a lot of drama and tension.

I wanted to return to New York already.

My phone beeped just then. It was text from my brother. Before I could check it, his call came in.

"Hi Roberto," I said as soon I picked up and placed it on my ear.

"Hi sis."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm supposed to be asking you that. Are you okay?"

"Yes I am, Yesterday was just so overwhelming for me but I feel much better." I told him.

I had called him after my altercation with Jace and cried over the phone for the first time to him. I had never done that before and even though I felt slightly relieved afterwards, I immediately regretted it because of what he was about to say...

"I really need to find a way to get you out of his grip." He said.

"Leave that to me. I'll figure it out. I don't want you getting in trouble."

"You always say that! It's my duty to protect you." He argued.

"Listen to your older sister. I'm perfectly fine. It was your recklessness that got me here in the first place. Do not go ahead and do something stupid." I warned him sternly.

He was quiet for a bit.

"It's my fault." He said in an emotional whisper.

"Roberto Jason Valente, stop it right now. I should never have called you yesterday. I am alright. Jace takes care of me."

"You're practically in a luxurious prison. Your customers keep asking me about your whereabouts and I do not know what to say to them." He retort hit me like a brick.

It was my turn to go quiet. It had been several weeks since I attended to my business and though this was not my fault, I felt terrible for abandoning them. I wondered how many gigs I'd missed out on. I was comfortable enough and had enough money sitting in my account but my freedom had been sold in the process. Bring it up to Jace would most likely not end well so I decide to say the first thing I could think of. 

"I'd take orders when I get back to New York and you can help me deliver them. If they're too much, I'd make some deliveries myself."

"You're serious?"

"Yes I am." I nodded even though he couldn't see me.

"What about the monster?"

I smiled. "You mean Don Romano?"

"Yes. Him." I chuckled.

After dealing with Jace for a while, I found my brother's angry baritone hilarious. It sounded so thin compared to Jace's deep voice.

"Leave that to me. I'd let you know when everything is set." I told him.

The call ended and I went back to learning my recipes. They would most likely be coming in handy soon.