Page 37 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

“Frankie is not a pre-med student with practical knowledge about trauma patients.”

She was purposely not seeing my point. “It’s not how things are done here. You may have more freedom in Toronto with your father, but I can’t allow it. You are a Sicilian wife now, not a college student.”

She came up on her knees and I tried not to stare at the way the fabric cupped her mound. Fuck, those leggings were indecent.

“Wrong. Iama college student,nota Sicilian wife. This marriage is not real.”

“My men don’t know that! No one knows the true circumstances but you, me, Sal and Zani.”

“You have no right to yell at me, because I did nothing wrong. I will not perpetuate a backwards society where I’m supposed to be lesser than you just because I’m a woman.”

I threw up my hands. “Porca di puttana!You are in mybackwards societywhether you like it or not. And you will abide by its rules while you are here.”

“Or else? Is that what you were about to say?”

I didn’t like how oblivious she was being. Did she not understand the importance of appearances here? Did she not understand how her actions reflected on me? My father and brother were barely cold in the ground and I had a mountain of problems to deal with right now. The last thing I needed was this woman making things worse.

I thought about trying to explain this to her, but what was the point? I wasn’t great with words and Emma wouldn’t care. She would leave for Toronto the first chance she got, return to her perfect little world. I would have to deal with the aftermath.

I pointed at her. “Stay the fuck here. Do not dare leave this room until I come and get you, capisce?”

Her jaw fell open as her eyes went wide. “You are locking me in?”

Words from my childhood flooded my brain.“Don’t lock the door! I’ll go crazy in here! Please, Don Gero!”

Never “marito” or “amore.” Not even his first name, Calogero. My mother had called him Don Gero, no doubt at the old bastard’s insistence.

Then months and years passed and she stopped complaining, long having accepted her fate in our personal hell.

I wasn’t that man. I didn’t want toeverbe that man.

But I needed Emma to keep out of my way.

I tried to put a fair amount of intimidation in my voice. “Are you planning to disobey me?” Emma’s lips flattened, like she was holding back. I knew she didn’t like it, but she needed to learn. “Are we clear, Emma?”

“Yes.” Just as I turned to the door, she added, “But I wish you would reconsider. It’s unreasonable.”

I ground my molars together until pain shot through my jaw. “My word is law in this house. I decide what is reasonable and unreasonable. You will do as you are told.”

“We’ll discuss this later.”

“No, we fucking won’t!” My roar echoed off the walls. “This is not a negotiation. I don’t care about your opinions or thoughts. I don’t care whether you are happy here or not. You are nothing to me. An annoyance, a problem I must solve. And as soon as I deal with Virga, you’re gone.”

I couldn’t read her expression, but she kept quiet. I almost wished she’d show some backbone, a little fire. Tell me to go fuck myself or throw something at me.

Then I wouldn’t feel like such a bastard for yelling at her.

But she stared at me with those big doe eyes, like I was the one who was being unreasonable. I couldn’t take anymore, so I left the room and slammed the door behind me. My boots stomped on the carpet as I made my way downstairs and I contemplated a drink. Cazzo, this girl.

The sooner she was back in Toronto, the better.

* * *

I leaned against the cellar wall and watched the doctor sew up my soldato. How the fuck had this happened?

It had been an attack in broad daylight at one of our warehouses outside the city, which was practically unheard of. My clan had a stronghold in Sicily, and not many would openly defy it.

I knew in my bones Virga was behind it. It would be smart to come after my businesses, as well as my personal life. A war on all fronts. Nothing disruptive, but enough to make me look weak in front of the other families. Just in case.

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