Page 13 of Married to the Mafia

“It’s easy to find. Did you or did you not receive a casino chip in the last couple of days? A present maybe?”

“How did you know that?”

“I would like to make you an offer, Miss Silver.”

“Let me guess, an offer I can’t refuse. Who are you, the Godfather?”

“Marry me tomorrow at noon.”

“Listen, I’m hungover, I’m tired and I’m not in the mood for dumb pranks. Whatever frat-boy joke this is, I’m not playing.”

I hang up and try to get to my feet. My head swims, but I manage it eventually. Sometimes it the insignificant victories that get you through the day. My phone is already ringing again.

I answer and resist yelling only because my head can’t take it. “Listen, douchebag, learn to take a hint. Go play your games somewhere else.”

“No games,” Dino replies, as I add several more curses in his direction. “No pranks. I will marry you tomorrow at noon.”

“Are you insane? Why, in the name of Saint Brendan of Fraser, would I agree to marry you?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll knock down the shelter and forget to rebuild it. Marry me and I will fulfil my promise.”

“So you think you can blackmail me into marrying you? That’s true love right there, gets me right in the middle ofthe chest. Maybe I’ll go to channel twenty-seven and tell them about your offer. See what slutty Carol Thompson thinks. Bang her after the interview, did you? Could see the way you two were making goo-goo eyes at each other on TV.”

“Don’t decide now. Take the day. I will be in touch at eight this evening for your answer.”

“Answer’s no, jerkwad.” I hang up again, turning my phone onto silent. I’m not having Mr. Psycho Stalker call me again.

I know it’s a prank but I don’t get it. Maybe it’ll make sense later on. I force myself downstairs and out the back door. The cool sea air hits me in an instant, and I shiver. Alcohol is quite the layering when it’s cold, but the booze has well and truly worn off.

I grab a blanket from inside and wrap it around me, sitting on one of the lawn chairs, waiting for my headache to ease off.

There’s a tension that I can’t shift. It’s because of him. How dare he suggest the only way he’d save the shelter is if I marry him? Proves Jenny wrong. I was right. All men are bastards. Liars and bastards. Fact.

I close my eyes and groan loudly. There’s a flicker in the corner of my mind. It’s a tiny image. Me and him. Married. Him wrapping me in his enormous arms and holding me tight. Him taking me over his knee to spank me.

Tying me down and doing things to me. Lots and lots of things. I always loved the idea of an older man doing that to me. Not that I’d ever tell anyone.

I shake my head. That’s a dumb thing to think about. He’s using me. I don’t know why and I don’t want to know. All I want is for him to leave me alone.

I head back inside. I need coffee. Ideally on a drip. Thecaffeine will help. I get myself an enormous mug and sit drinking it, staring at the TV. I don’t even know what’s on. My mind is elsewhere.

Once I can function, I get a shower and remove my makeup. I tie my hair up when I’m done, digging out my slobbiest clothes. It’s a comfort kind of day. No Dad. Nothing to do at the shelter. If he keeps his word.

All I need to do is recover.

I check my phone, but he hasn’t tried to ring again. Looks like he finally got the hint. There is a message on there from Caroline. Amelia has finally replied to me as well.

I check out Amelia’s first.

Hey, sorry super busy at the moment. Will check with Leo but am 100% certain all is fine with the contracts. Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner about the plan, you can hate me for that. Had a lot to sort out with rebuilding. Will get back to you.

Then I read Caroline’s.

Checking you’re alive after last night. One of these days you’re going to get so wasted you just disappear, alco-girl. We’re getting breakfast at Clive’s if you want to join us?

I don’t bother getting changed. No need to dress up for those two. They’ve seen me in yoga pants and a fluffy pink sweater many times.

I head out, grabbing my sunglasses on the way. I’m in no mood for bright light at the minute. I go via the shelter just to check. No sign of any demolition crew.

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