Page 115 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride
How the arrangement meant to silence me seems to have given me a voice.
How the man sent to watch me has become my protector.
How the marriage meant to be my prison might actually set me free.
I fall asleep feeling content for the first time in a long time.
Those feelings continue over the next days. I still wake up alone, but it’s to the scent of coffee and whatever breakfast Roman is making for Angelica and me.
During the day, I sketch and sew, not just for solace, but now with purpose.
With the idea that someday, my design dream will become a reality.
I spend time with Angelica, teaching her stitches or playing games.
In the evenings, Roman and I talk, sometimes about my mother’s case and anything he’s learned, but often about other topics.
And late at night, I explore Roman's body and let him explore mine. The routine feels close to normal, close to happiness.
Even as I remain technically captive, I've never felt more free.
A shrink might call it Stockholm Syndrome, but I try not to dwell on that.
For now, I’ve put my trust in Roman.
Foolish or not, I’ve made my choice, chosen sides. I pray I’ve chosen wisely.
21
ROMAN
I snap the burner phone shut and pocket it, jaw clenched so tightly I can feel a headache building at my temples.
Three of our shipments were nearly intercepted this week.
Do we have a traitor in our midst or are the Feds getting lucky?
"Problems, Boss?" Nico, one of my men, leans against the doorframe of my office, arms crossed. The kid's only twenty-six but already one of my most reliable soldiers.
"Nothing I can't handle." I pull up the shipping manifests on my laptop. "Tell Vito we're changing the route for tomorrow. Use the backup plan we discussed last month."
"The expensive one?" Nico raises an eyebrow.
"Worth every penny if it works." I stand, rolling my shoulders to release the tension. "And get me Salvatore."
While Nico makes the call, I study the map on my wall.
Red pins mark the areas we nearly had our shipments lost.
I've spent over two decades building this operation for Marco, making it bulletproof.
I'm not about to let some rat destroy it all.
My phone vibrates. Salvatore.
"You have five minutes to explain why three of your crews nearly lost product on my watch," I say without preamble.
"Roman, I swear?—"
