Page 15 of Bound to the Mafia King

“You were—hey where are you going?”

I ripped myself out of her and tucked my flaccid cock inside. I didn’t even bother to say anything to her. I just turned and left the red room. But before I made it out the door, I tossed a wad of hundred-dollar bills onto the small table by the front.

“Valerio!” she called after me.

I knew women like her well. She would claim she was in love with me but, in fact, she was in love with what I presented to her. I was no better than a serpent—a cobra.

I hypnotized you with my dance. Everything about me drew you in. My scent, my face, even the way I looked at you. It was the complex intensity of the danger. It intrigued you. It made you take one step closer in my direction, and that was all I needed to strike and administer my poison.

Some would have seen my treatment of Brenda as harsh, but I was doing her a kindness. She was better off this way.

So now it begged the question of why was I being cruel to Anastasia by bringing myself closer? She would likely perish if she got too close. I should do the noble thing and leave her be.

Unfortunately, I was no noble man, and I was far too selfish to think of anyone else but myself.

Chapter Seven

Anastasia

One month later

“Idon’t want to.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at my brother. “I am not a child. I don’t need a babysitter while you are in Russia.”

My brother scowled. “You know that I can't leave you here alone. I am taking most of the security with me to Russia, and with you being engaged to Sergei, you have adopted his enemies.”

Another reason as to why this marriage was going to be my death sentence. If my groom didn’t manage to kill me, then his enemies would. It would be a waste though, because he would simply get a new bride.

Women were like disposable razors. Once one outlived its purpose, a new one would be bought.

“I can get to Washington. I can be safe there.”

My brother looked at me like I had grown two heads. “Are you forgetting that Sader owns DC? We would be lucky to be able to even get a foot in. You are going to be in Savina Valdez’s ward.She will keep you safe. Besides, her husband and brother-in-law are some of the most disciplined men when it comes to security.”

My mind flashed with images of Valerio.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t think of that man from time to time. I particularly thought of that incident with the window. I had seen him amble onto the balcony like he had been hurt. Against my better judgment, I had followed him, and that was when I had seen him.

He hadn’t looked like the dominating man who had leered over me and invaded my space. He’d simply looked like a man who was in agony.Extremeagony, from the looks of it.

“But can we even trust them, brother? I am sure you have heard all the rumors about Valerio.”

At the mention of Valerio’s name, he scowled. Their fight was still a sore spot, clearly.

They didn’t see eye to eye, but I had expected as much. Not many people agreed with my brother’s decision to have me wed Sergei. He was closer to Lucifer himself than he was a human. Even by the standards of the Mafia world, Sergei was bad.

“Valerio and I may have our differences, but Savina gave me her word that she would protect you like you are her family. I may not trust her brother-in-law, but her word is her bond, and she never goes back on it. If you don’t want this arrangement I have organized, I can ask Sergei to take you on. But as you know, it is not customary for the bride to lay with the groom before the wedding ceremony.”

My heart jumped from my chest.

The bedding ceremony. It was a time-old tradition that was done by the bride's family and presented to the groom to show that I was indeed pure. If there were red stains on the white sheets it meant that I had given my virginity to my husband. But if there was no blood, then I was tainted, and I would be put upfor the trial and 9 times out of 10 those trials ended in an honor killing.

My stomach churned.

“I need to make sure that you remain intact before the big day, Ana. We need Sergei’s support. All you need to do is play the dutiful role of the wife. Please him, attend to him, and make sure that he has everything he needs.”

I nodded, “I need some air. Will you excuse me?”

“Don’t go far. We have guests coming, and I need you to greet them.” He gave me a small smile of adoration. “I am proud of you, Ana. And I'm sure Dad is proud, too.”

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