Page 1 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

PROLOGUE

ROWAN

Staring up at the ceiling, I counted the ornate swirls in the plasterwork for the hundredth time. The Ferrini mansion was beautiful. It was like a second home to me on most visits, but this time it felt more like a prison of my own making.

I was pretty sure I wasn’t the first member of my family to feel that way, and I wouldn’t be the last.

Then again, I could be like the men who, because of their poor choices in trying to fuck over the family, actually were imprisoned in the Ferrini family mansion. That, or it had become their final resting place.

At least I wasn’t one of them.

With a heavy sigh, my body sank deeper into the lush mattress as I reached for the remote then aimlessly flipped through the channels yet again. How could nothing be on with a hundred channels and countless streaming apps at my disposal?

A sharp knock at the door made me flinch, even though I knew who it was before he entered. Andro had a distinctive knock thatI’d recognize anywhere. It exuded the same authority that his actual presence did. His omega’s knock was gentler, kinder.

My cousin Andro's commanding presence filled the room as he strode in, his expensive suit impeccable as always. I was only a cousin through marriage, but I held the Ferrini name and they cared for me like I was their blood. I’d never been treated as anything less, and I was appreciative of that. "Still in bed at this hour, Rowan?"

I shrugged and glanced at him out of respect. "Didn't feel like getting up yet."

Andro's jaw tightened and his nostrils flared. He was definitely losing patience with me. His disappointment made me feel two inches tall. "It's been weeks, kid. You can't hide in here forever."

"I'm not hiding," I muttered and looked away. We both knew that was a lie, but I didn’t want to see anyone or talk about anything. I didn’t want anything but to be left alone to lick my wounds. Out there in the world people could hurt you for no reason, and I wanted no part of that.

“Listen.” He crossed his arms and moved into my line of sight. "You’ve got two choices. Either you go back to school to finish your degree or you find a job around here. I think you know what I would suggest, but you’re old enough to make your own decisions. All I’m saying is this moping bullshit ends now."

Panic clawed at my throat over the thought of venturing outside. After spending time in that dark room, locked away with that monster Van Russo, I was afraid of everything. I couldn’t risk moving back to campus and being so vulnerable. The thought alone made my chest constrict as my chest pounded inside. "It's just…not safe out there, Andro."

Andro's expression softened slightly, but he wasn’t a pushover. Maybe his omega could turn him into jelly, but I couldn’t. "You are safe now, Rowan. The man who took you is gone. And until we find the other one, I’ll have a bodyguard to be with you around the clock, if that’s what it takes to keep you safe. No one will get to you."

I shuddered as memories of my captivity flashed through my mind. The dank cellar, the rough hands, the terror... I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the images away as I tried to keep my breathing even.

"Hey." Andro's voice was gentler now as he perched on the edge of the bed. "I know you're scared, but you can't let fear control your life, Ro. You're stronger than that."

I really wasn’t. I may belong to a mafia family, but the real Ferrini blood didn’t run in my veins. I was not like them. "What if it happens again? What if next time, you can't find me?"

"It won't happen again." Andro cupped my shoulder and gave me a shake. "Now that we’re watching you, no one will touch you."

I picked at a loose thread on the comforter as I considered his words. Part of me really wanted to finish my degree, to lose myself in literature and writing again. But the other part just wanted to stay in this bed forever. "I don't know if I can face all those people. The rumors were bad before. I can’t imagine what people will be saying now."

Andro leaned closer, his alpha scent wrapping around me like a protective blanket. "Don’t forget that you're a Ferrini. You haven’t been closely involved in the family business in the past, but we’re strong. Stronger than you realize. As one of us, thatmakes you tougher than any of those assholes who whisper shit about you. Go out there and show them how strong you really are."

I met his intense gaze and felt a flicker of something like determination spark in my chest. "Yeah, okay. I'll think about it."

He nodded and stood up. "Good. You have until the end of the week to decide what your plan is. School or work. No more wasting away here."

As he turned to leave, a wave of gratitude struck me for all he and his brothers had done for me. "Andro?"

He paused at the door and glanced back at me. “Yeah.”

"Thank you. For everything. I really do appreciate…all of it.” Putting into words just how much this room had become my safe haven wasn’t easy. Writing it down might have been better, but I doubted Andro would welcome the flowery prose.

A rare smile crossed his face. "You're family, Rowan. We take care of our own."

After he left, I lay there, turning over my options. The familiar urge to retreat and hide away from the world warred with a tiny seed of hope that maybe I could live again. Maybe I could be safe again.

I used to enjoy taking a notebook and pen to the park and writing while I listened to the sounds of nature and families around me. RIght now the idea of being in such an open and vulnerable position made me cringe. Would I really ever feel safe again?

Once upon a time I’d enjoyed school immensely. Even though it wasn’t practical, I would stay in school forever if I had theopportunity. There was so much to learn and do. Perhaps I was too comfortable and that was what led to me being abducted in the first place. Being a part of a powerful, rich family had its perks.

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