A Bride For The Mafia King

ENZO POV

The drive back to the mansion was quiet. Rain hit the car hard the drops tapping on the windshield, I sat straight and watched the road, the driver did not speak. He knew better. When I was quiet it meant decisions were happening in my head and no one wanted to be in the way.

The guards opened the gate and I walked inside. The house smelled of smoke and food, the smoke probably came from Liam. I moved down the hall, my boots made a steady sound on the floor. I do not like surprises, I do not forgive them easily especially with Bianca.

The bedroom door was open, Bianca was asleep on top of the covers, her clothes still on, her hair spread over my pillow. She looked tired, like someone who had been pushed too far. She had no right to sleep in my room, she had a job to do.

I grabbed the jug on the bedside table and poured cold water over her head. She jumped up with a scream, water running down her face.

“What the hell, Enzo?” she said, shocked and angry. She pushed hair from her eyes and tried to look steady.

“You were supposed to watch Miguel,” I said, the words came out flat. “Not sleep in my bed.”

She shivered and stood. “I just fell asleep for one minute but I was with Miguel throughout.”

“You don’t sleep unless I tell you to sleep,” I stepped closer. “You don’t close your eyes unless I tell you too.”

She pulled back and said something sharp. “You use people, you give orders and you think that makes you a man.”

“It makes me responsible,” I said. “And responsibility is what keeps people alive in my place. You either do your job or you get punished.”

She moved toward the door. I did not grab her hard, but my hand tightened on her wrist and it stopped her. She tried to pull free, her mouth moved but no words came out. I held her until she stopped fighting.

“Let go,” she hissed.

“Don’t ever walk out of me,” I dragged her to the dinning where Miguel was.

The table was long and empty with different dishes placed on top. Miguel sat near the head of the table, small and careful. He watched everything, he did not talk much. He did not smile much either, he was young, but he noticed things.

Across from him, in the chair he always sat in, was Liam. He wore a dark suit, his hands rested on his lap. His face was pale and his eyes were cold, the only biological son of the don and the man everyone pretends to protect.

When we came in, both of them turned their heads slowly and watched. Miguel’s gaze went to Bianca and then to me. He did not say anything. Liam looked at Bianca the way a hunter looks at a rabbit. His kept starting at her, I didn't trust him.

I guided Bianca to a chair and sat beside her. She was shaking a little, the water had dried on her clothes and her hair stuck to her neck. She looked like someone who had been pushed too close to a fire and then told to calm down.

Miguel said, “You slept on Enzo's bed.”

Bianca opened her mouth to answer. “Is it your business kid.”

Liam cut her off with one word. “Silence.” He did not raise his voice, he did not need to. The word landed and everything dropped quiet like a lid.

Bianca swallowed. “No one has the right to silence me except from him." She turned to me.

Liam didn't talk, she has stepped on his toes and now he'll retaliate. Miguel watched them both, he didn't say anything. He was small and still, but he watched like he learned quicker than most kid, he knows rules even if he does not say them.

A maid entered with a tray, She moved quick and careful like she was afraid to breathe. She placed the tray in front of us and set a glass of juice down for Bianca. The juice looked bright against the dark table, her hands trembled and she left the room hurriedly.

Bianca reached for the glass, her fingers touched the glass rim. She lifted it slowly, I watched the maid leave, something about her didn't feel right.

I looked at Bianca, she moved the juice closer to her lips.

“Don’t,” I said.

She turned to me, looking confused, then her gaze returned to the glass. Her hand shook a little and the glass slipped. She caught it and then held it again like she wanted someone else to tell her it was okay.

Liam turned his head and looked at me. His eyes were steady and they stayed there like stones. “Why?” he asked.

Miguel’s voice came out quiet. “Why, Enzo?”

There was no movement in Liam’s face. He watched the glass like he could see something inside. He smiled, I know he is up to something . “Are you afraid for her?” he asked.

I did not answer him. I looked at Bianca instead. I could see how afraid she was and how much she was trying not to show it. Her jaw was tight, her fingers were wet with sweat.

I pushed my chair back and stood and reached out and touched the glass. I never strike without reason. I pushed it with a finger and the glass tipped from her hand. It hit the floor and broke, the juice and small pieces scattered across the marble.

The sound echoed through the room, the maid made a soft noise like a breath and then went silent.

Miguel watched me from his chair. He looked like a boy who had seen a lesson, he kept his eyes small and serious and said nothing.

Liam watched the spill and his mouth curled like he tasted something sweet. “Why did you do that” he asked, his tone flat.

I picked up a piece of broken glass and held it for a second. The juice on the floor looked dark and wrong. I murmured. “The juice is poisoned."