Page 80 of Mob Queen

“No, but he had set a date with someone. I don’t know who. Because I’m just a girl, I was a pawn in his plans.”

“Motherfucker,” Rome grumbles.

“It was important to my new husband that I bleed on our wedding night.”

“What a disgusting tradition,” I say.

“It’s the old way,” Frankie says. “Made men like to take young brides who are pure.”

Out of that sentence I screw my mouth at the word young. “How young are we talking?”

“My father was trying to marry me off at thirteen, but no one would take me then.”

“And how old are you now?” I ask.

“I’m nearly eighteen.” There’s a knowing look that passes between Frankie and her brother, while I stare at them, horrified. “I don’t feel well, may I please be excused?” Elena asks and looks to Frankie. Elena pushes her chair out and Rome stands to his feet to help her.

“Mya,” Frankie calls when Elena disappears to her room.

Mya emerges and stands by the dining table. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Elena isn’t feeling well. Make her a sandwich and take it to her room.”

“Of course.” Mya nods and backs out of the dining room.

Frankie returns to her food like nothing has happened, while Rome slowly picks at his food. “I have to ask,” I start.

“What?” Frankie says as she looks up from her food, takes the glass of wine and sips on it.

“Is this normal for your...” I stop and try to choose the right words. Fuck it. I’m in it now. “For mafia families?”

“It can be,” Rome says. I’m surprised by his answer. “Which is one of the reasons I got out.”

Wait, he got out? But he’s back now. “Why would you come back?”

“Because my sister needs me.” He looks to Frankie and gives her an appreciative nod. “And it’s where I belong.”

I’m confused as fuck. “And treating women like that is normal?”

“Someone higher up, like a boss or an underboss would take a young virgin bride. Usually, it’s to align two families to make them even more powerful,” Frankie answers candidly.

“And this is completely normal?”

“It used to be the way it happened. But traditions change as time evolves.”

“My sister isn’t so much about stupid traditions. Like virgins and blood on the sheets.”

I lean my elbows on the table and cradle my head in my hands. “Too much for you?” Frankie asks with a chuckle. “This isn’t for the light-hearted. At any time we could be raided, I could be gun downed, anything can happen.”

“Why the hell would you want to stay in such a volatile position? You could easily give it up. Close it all down and move away from this. I’m sure you have the money to fall off the radar.”

“We have more money than the Catholic church, and they have a lot.” Frankie’s snicker confirms Rome’s statement.

“Then, why do you stay?”

“Because I’m good at it.”

Yeah, she is. I might not agree with everything Frankie does, but she’s good at keeping order and balance.”

---