Page 3

Three

Xander

I received a proposal from Peter O’Sullivan, Boss of the Northern Irish Mafia today for an arranged marriage between his oldest son, Cillian, and my granddaughter, Bia.

I called Ares and Theodore to my office. This would be good for us as we could have them thinking we have peace between us, then after a bit of time, we can attack, and I can finally take over the Northern Irish Mafia.

I have had an alliance with Peter’s cousin for over a decade now. He doesn’t care about selling whores, but Peter has some kind of moral compass, fucking bullshit.

“Why do you look like you fucked a virgin?” Ares, my underboss, says as he sits down.

“I got a proposal from dear old Peter O’Sullivan.”

“What did the asshole want?” Theodore asks.

“He wants to have a marriage alliance between us. He wants Bia to marry Cillian.”

“Didn’t his wife just die?” Theodore questions.

“Yes. I called Seamus who said that the council gave Cillian three months to be married again or he loses his right to take Peter’s place,” I say then take a sip from my glass of gin.

“That’s interesting,” Ares states. “On one hand, we could deny it and he could possibly lose his place, but then he could also find another bride. Or we accept, and then we could destroy them.”

“That was what I was thinking. He offered me gun shipments but I don’t need any more gun shipments since we have an alliance with the British Mafia. I want his gold and gems.”

“You can never have too much gold.” I nod at Ares, agreeing with him, smiling as I think how much money this alliance could make me. I dial Peter’s number.

Peter: Hello, Xander. I’m assuming this call is about the marriage contract I sent over to you.

Xander: Yes. I do want to change something though before agreeing to anything.

Peter: What do you want to change?

Xander: Instead of gun shipments I want gold and gems.

Peter: How much do you want?

Xander: I would like to see them in person before we settle on a price.

Peter: Fair enough.

Xander: Wonderful, we will be there in two weeks to sign the contract and work out a deal for the gold and gems.

Peter: Fine. Do not come into my home looking for a fight, I will not tolerate any form of disrespect. I will have men who will kill any of you on sight. This war has been going on for far too long, and I will not tolerate any aggression or ill will toward my family. We raise our children differently, but when you come into my house, you and your men will treat my wife, children, my men, and their families with respect. Anyone who doesn’t will be killed. Understood?

Xander: Absolutely. I will make sure every person who joins us will be respectful.

Peter: Good, see you in two weeks, and bring Bia with you so she can meet Cillian.

Xander: Of course.

Peter: Bye.

He hangs up the phone and I look over to Ares and Theodore who are smirking at me as I had Peter on speaker.

“He must think we are fucking animals,” Theodore grumbles.

I raise my eyebrow at him, “Aren’t you the one who got shot by Francesca De Luca when you tried to rip her shirt open?”

“Yes, but I was also drunk and horny.”

“How did you get away with Georgio not killing you?”

“They were very estranged during that point because of his mother. I guess when they started being sickly lovey all over each other, she never mentioned it or forgot it.”

“Lucky bastard.” We chuckled.

“Alright, get out, I need to tell Bia the wonderful news about her future. Have one of the maids go get her and send her to my office.”

BIA

I’m sitting in my window seat looking out at the Aegean Sea. I spend hours just staring out the window, wishing I could go and just travel the world. I have never left the mansion I’m barely allowed outside, only once a day for thirty minutes, and then Grandfather has a few guards to watch my every move.

I know he is not doing this for my protection but to make sure I stay a virgin because I am worth more. I know my life will stay this way until my husband consummates our marriage. I will never get the chance to fall in love like I have read in fairy tales.

My husband will be chosen by if he can benefit my grandfather in some way. I’m only a pawn to my grandfather, and that’s all I ever will be.

A maid enters my room without knocking. No surprise there. I don’t have the privilege of having any privacy.

“Your Grandfather needs you in his office.”

I quietly get up and follow her to his office, keeping my head down and not daring to look at any of the men in the eyes because that would be disrespectful.

I made that mistake once when I was a young girl by looking one of the men in the eyes. My grandfather gave me a black eye and a broken wrist for that.

My grandfather is a cruel man, and it only took me a few times to learn to always obey him. Otherwise, he would break my bones until I learned my lesson.

The maid knocks on the door before she walks away. I wait until my grandfather calls me inside his office. I quietly close the door behind me.

I sit down in the chair across from his desk with my ankles crossed, arms folded in my lap and my eyes looking at my hands. I breath through my mouth trying to not cough from the heavy fumes of his cigar.

“It is about time for you be useful to this family. In two weeks, you will be traveling with me to Ireland to meet your husband. You will be marrying the oldest son of Petter O’Sullivan, Cillian. He will be taking over his father’s place as Boss of the Irish Mafia. You will do as your told in this and be nothing but the perfect wife for him, do you understand?”

“Didn’t he kill his wife?”

“Did you just talk back to me?”

I shake my head. “No, sir.”

“I think you did, you spoiled, ungrateful brat.” he says.

I hear his chair move but I remain still, knowing if I move away my punishment it will be worse. My wrist is tugged away from my lap.

I cry out when I feel the inside of my wrist being burned by Grandfather pushes his cigar into my skin.

“I can’t bruise you up since you won’t have enough time to heal. This should be enough of a reminder to keep your fucking mouth shut. You mess up this contract, and you will not return home. I will sell you to one of my brothels. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” I whisper.

“Good.” He moves his cigar off my wrist and steps away from me. He picks up his phone and I hear him call for Leonidas.

“Come get your sister and chain her in the basement. No food, or water for a few days.” I hear him put his phone back on his desk.

“Maybe a few days in the basement will help you remember your manners and to be grateful for what you have.”