Married to the Mafia Boss

Amelia

I listen to Frankie explain who Dave is to the drug-lord family.

“We’re waiting for our men and the woman to arrive, and then we’ll leave this afternoon,” he says.

“I don’t understand. Why come for you?” I ask. “Why not go for Alessandro? As head of the family.”

“Because,” Frankie says, “I’m the one directly suppressing his influence in our territory. I’m the one who is keeping him at bay. This is the territory that I manage for the family. Taking me out will destabilize the family and the territory, and while we try and regroup, he can make his move to take over.”

I think about what he says. “So, Dave is the nephew of this Don Catalan?” I ask.

Frankie nods, so I continue, “And he has been looking for a reason to get to you, so he’s using the fact you put Dave in the hospital to put a hit on you.”

Frankie nods again.

I think about it for another while, and we sit in silence before I say, “Do you think that’s why Dave dated me? Because we have a history? Maybe he wanted to goad you.”

Frankie’s expression changes. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you never know. It could be the case because Jose really has wanted to make his move for some time. If they found out we had been together before, it may be the reason Dave was bold enough to attack you in my club.”

I sigh, feeling somewhat hurt. “I guess no one can just love me for me.”

Frankie looks like he’s about to say something when there’s a knock on the door. Frankie’s hand goes to the holster on his side that I hadn’t noticed, and he stands up. “Stay here.”

I watch as he approaches the front door. “Who’s there?”

“It’s Joel,” a familiar voice comes through the door. “We’re here for the main course.”

I pull a face. It must be some kind of code to let Frankie know it’s safe. He opens the door, steps out, looks around, and steps back in, followed by several buff guards and a man and woman who look very similar to Frankie and me. I stand, no longer hungry, and I get a bottle of sparkling water out of the room bar.

Frankie and Joel immediately start discussing the travel arrangements while the look-alikes simply stand to the side, waiting for their orders. I always knew the Sorvino family was powerful, this is the world I grew up in too, but I think they are more powerful, with more loyal supporters than any family I’ve ever seen.

Frankie turns to me. “Change of plans. They couldn’t get tickets for this afternoon, so we’ll make a break for it early in the morning.”

I nod. “No problem,” I say. “Are we just going to stay shut up in the room today, at least?”

“It’s safer,” Frankie says with a nod.

I nod back. “I’m going to read in my room then.”

Frankie holsters his gun. “We’re splitting into four groups rather, as per Alessandro. It’ll be safer once we’re on our own territory.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I blurt out. “I want a gun.”

Frankie eyes me out. “That’s a bit dangerous.”

“I know how to handle a gun, Frankie. My father made sure of that. I’m not being separated from you and going unarmed.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Frankie looks at Joel. “Get her a small handgun, something that can fit in her purse.”

Joel nods, going to one of the men and then bringing me a small revolver. “Use it wisely, don’t forget to take the safety off.”

I nod and take the gun to my room, putting it in my purse. I spend most of the day reading and packing my bags. I try to sleep at night, but I’m too unsettled to get any real rest. Then, while it’s still dark outside, Frankie knocks at my door. “It’s time.”

I take my overnight bag, the only one I’ll be taking with me. Other me, I discovered her name is Heather, is taking my main luggage with her. I wind a scarf over my head and have my sunglasses on hand. Cars are waiting downstairs to take us to airports, bus stations, and train stations.

“How are we going to get out without being seen?” I ask.

Frankie holds out his hand. “Move with me, quickly. When we get downstairs, get in the front car. Don’t wait or look around or look back.”

I nod and take his hand, it’s warm in mine, and I can feel the electricity that flows between us. But I know the sparks are from me, not him.

We wait at the door, and then it happens-all the power goes out.

“Go,” Joel says, opening the door. Frankie leads me down the dark hallway, moving quickly. I keep up with him.

We get to the stairway and go downstairs quickly, not stopping to see if anyone is following us. We’re a large party, but it’s early, and there’s no one else on the stairs. When we reach the front, the staff scramble to get the power back on, but we don’t stop. We burst through the front doors to see four cars waiting, all running.

I let go of Frankie’s hand, and a cold shudder passes over me. Me, and two of the guards, I climb into the front car, and the driver pulls off without a backward glance. I don’t look back, either.

We pull up to the bus station, and the guards hand me my ticket. “Quickly,” the dark-haired one says. I have not even had a chance to ask their names. “We’ll sit behind you, so it’s less obvious.”

I take my bag and climb out. Looking at the ticket, I scan the busses and find the one going to New York. People are already boarding, so I join the queue. I hesitantly glance around, the sun has just risen, and the first light is showing.

I climb aboard the bus and hand my ticket to the driver, who checks it and lets me through. I stow away my overnight bag at my feet as I sit down in a single seat toward the front. Then I watch carefully who boards the bus, always keeping my purse slightly open and within reach.

The guards board the bus and sit down two rows behind me, on either side of the bus.

I only relax a little when the bus pulls off fifteen minutes later, and we’re on the road, but I can’t shake this feeling that I’m being watched. I’m sure it’s just nerves because I know Jose’s men are after me, but the hair on my neck prickles.

I try and close my eyes. I’m so tired I don’t know what else to do. I’m restless, though, and it’s hard to sleep comfortably on a bus at the best of times.

I pull some crisps out of my bag and eat them slowly. Shifting in my seat, I glance around the bus once more, see nothing suspicious, but then I look again and notice two men sitting at the back. They’re dressed as tourists, but somehow, they don’t belong. Everyone except my guards and I are tourists. It’s a luxury bus with only about twelve passengers, but those two men sitting in the back right corner don’t fit in. They’re too stern, too hard. I wave at the guard near me to bring him over. “I think we’re being followed,” I whisper.

He glances around. “I don’t think so. I think we’re safe. It’s just a bunch of tourists, and no one followed us from the hotel. It’s impossible. Don’t worry.”

But, as I sit there, worrying is all I can do.