Revenge Vows: A Forced Marriage Mafia Romance (Ruthless Mafia Sinners)
Chapter 19

The police aren’t going to take Viper away. He is going to die by my hands so my family can be safe.

As soon as I hear the cops pull up in the front yard, I have my role rehearsed, and he better play into it. I watch as the cops question him. He answers calmly, lying so smoothly that it’s an offense. His brother stands behind him, answering questions and clarifying details.

“So where is your other brother?” the cops ask.

I had seen Bunny running down with some men into the basement. My guess is that they went to hide something that cops shouldn’t see, and I know I have to step in.

“Officer, I know you’re busy, but my husband and his brother have been at work all morning. They simply must have their brunch,” I say.

The two cops look at each other. “I am sorry, ma’am, but this is standard procedure,” the first cop says.

“No, it’s not.” Everyone looks at me, shocked.

“Ma’am, we have a warrant,” the cop says.

“A search warrant, not an arrest warrant. Unless you have a warrant for their arrest, my husband and in-laws won’t be interrogated any further,” I say.

I look at Donatello and Antonio, and they get on their feet immediately.

“I mean, you heard the wife, sir,” Donatello says as he walks to the table with Antonio following behind him.

I turn to the officer. “Feel free to join us, sir. You can ask any questions at the table as long as my husband eats.”

The first cop signals to the second one upstairs to continue with the search, before he heads to the table with us.

I didn’t prepare the table; it was already set when I got here, but that won’t stop me from having fun with this moment. I take the lid off a serving dish, and I scoop food onto three plates.

I smile. “Come on, honey, eat up,” I say.

They look down at the food and then at each other. I raise my brows and wait.

“Thank you, baby,” Antonio says first. He takes a bite of the food, and he smiles. “Babe, this is fantastic as always,” he says.

Donatello isn’t as good an actor. He looks uncomfortable as he starts eating.

I smile at him. “Do you like it?” I ask.

He forces a smile, and I nod at him briskly.

“What about you, officer?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I’m not hungry,” he says, then he turns to the men. “You haven’t answered where your other brother is.”

“You know, I keep wondering where I saw you last, and I think it has finally hit me. I saw you down at the casino last week,” I say to the cop.

He looks at me with shifty eyes.

“You must be mistaken,” he says.

“Ahh,” I say, shaking my head. “I am certain that it’s you, sir. I would recognize that beard any day,” I say.

I turn to Antonio. “Babe, you remember him from the casino last week,” I say.

Antonio peers at the cop, who is doing everything to disappear into thin air. “He does look familiar,” Antonio says.

I throw back my head and laugh. “Of course, he is. Who would forget a man who put down ten grand on the spot and lost it? Or was it twenty? My memory fails me,” I say.

The police officer gets up immediately as if stung by a bee. “You are mistaken, ma’am,” he says.

I chuckle. “Come on, nothing to be shy about. I lost a couple of bucks that night, too—”

Another officer appears in the room and whispers something into the ear of the man I’m talking to before disappearing. The officer seated at the table clears his throat.

“It would appear that we have found nothing. Forgive us for the sudden search, and enjoy your day. We might visit again if prompted by a fresh report, but you have nothing to worry about otherwise,” he says, meeting my eyes.

“We have nothing to hide, do we?” I grin and ask the boys, and they shake their heads.

“And as for the last brother, he went to get groceries,” I add. The officer tips his hat before he leaves.

We hold our silence until the sound of sirens is far away from the building.

Antonio and Donatello fall back in their chairs as they start laughing.

Humming a tune, I scoop a huge portion of food onto my plate and eat, unbothered by all the drama. I can feel eyes on me, so I look up, and ‘Tello and Antonio look away immediately.

The door opens, and Bunny runs in, but he stops when he sees me at the table with them. “What’s going on?” he asks, walking up to us. “And why is she here?” he asks.

Donatello stands up very slowly and wipes his mouth. “Thanks for the meal,” he says to me. He walks past Antonio and slides his arm over his other brother’s shoulder.

“The couple needs some alone time,” he says to Bunny.

“What about the cops?” comes Bunny’s voice of protest as Donatello pulls him away.

Antonio gets up and clears his throat.

“Tha—thank you,” he says.

“Why do you sound like you’re having a heart attack?” I ask without looking up. “Are you shocked that a plaything could save your ass?”

“You didn’t have to do that. My brother and I would have figured it out somehow.”

“I’ll tell that to the cops when they come around again,” I retort.

I push my plate aside and get up with clenched fists.

“I lost my appetite,” I scowl. His eyes are on me as I turn on my heel and walk up the stairs.

Your death will be slow and drawn out, Viper; just wait you snake.

Your beloved brothers will sit back and watch helplessly as the life drains out of your eyes, and the best part is that they won’t be able to lift a finger to save you, even if they want to.

By making the cops back off, I have gained his trust. He’ll come to me tonight, and we will fuck without any objection from me.

I’ll whisper into his ears, caress his back, and take his bites bravely, even enjoy them. I’ll wait for the time when he is least alert, and it’s then that I shall strike.

I get to my room and replace Mary waiting at the door. She rolls her eyes, unimpressed.

I smile at her and clap. “Mary darling, don’t just stand around. I have another long night ahead of me. Run me a bath.”

After my bath, I have her tie my hair up in a bun he can easily untangle and hold onto when he takes me. My hair is one of his favorite things to pull on when he is inside me. The thought of him pulling at my hair sends shivers down my spine, but I hold them in and clear my throat, hoping Mary doesn’t notice.

I look at the messy bun. “Perfect.” I turn to Mary. “You should go now. Thank you for your services.” I chuckle.

With a smile on her face, she rolls her eyes before leaving the room. Almost immediately after she leaves, there is a knock on my door.

I quickly check my hair in the mirror and pull down the thin straps of my nightgown lower, showing off my shoulder blades.

I inhale and push out my chest.

Another knock comes. I exhale, and I clear my throat. “Come in,” I call out softly, raising my nightgown so it barely covers my thighs.

The door opens, and I freeze in embarrassment.

Donatello coughs and looks away as I fight to cover my body.

“Is this the wrong time?” he asks with his face averted.

“I don’t think a prisoner has a stake in what time her masters walk into her room,” I respond, fighting to pull the flimsy lace over my breasts and failing. Fuck!

“I’ll give you some time to umm—to—,” he pauses to replace his words, “to get yourself together. I’ll be waiting just outside.”

I stand with my back turned, and when he leaves the room, I wince in embarrassment, running to the closet to look for a change of clothes.

Antonio, that bastard! Where on earth is he? And why the fuck is his brother here?”

I pause at the thought of the second question. Why isn’t he here?

During the time that I have been cooped up in this house I haven’t had any direct interaction with his brothers. Not a word, not a look. They just go around following Antonio’s orders and doing whatever he asks them to do with me.

As I slide on a blue, flowery dress, I look around quickly, scanning the room. I walk to the table, and I pick up a fork lying on it. Mary must have forgotten to pack it up after breakfast because it still has crumbs on it.

I lift my dress and slide the fork into my pocket. I smooth my fingers through my hair and look into the mirror one last time. No one is taking me out of here before I kill Antonio.

I walk out of my room to see Donatello standing by the door. I smile at him. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?”

He doesn’t respond. His eyes dart from the top of my hair to the soles of my feet.

“Shall we take a walk around the grounds?”

“My husband doesn’t allow me outside the mansion,” I reply.

He frowns when the word “husband” leaves my mouth. I decide from now on that I’ll call Antonio my husband. I’ll never waste a chance to piss off a Russo.

“Surely it’s fine if you’re with me?” he asks tightly.

I shrug carelessly.

“Follow me.”

I walk behind him as he strides ahead of me with his hands behind him.

He is almost as tall as Antonio. At most, there is a two-inch height difference. His face is heavily freckled, and his build is slender and as strong-looking as Antonio’s.

“So, how has your stay at the mansion been so far?” he asks as I walk down the stairs.

I chuckle. You would think it’s an all-expenses paid trip, the way he’s talking about it. It’s almost like he doesn’t think his brother took my freedom from me.

He turns to look at me as we make our way down the giant hallway.

“It’s been a simply marvelous experience. What’s there not to like? I am indoors all day, well-protected by guards who watch my every move, and I have a maid at my beck and call. I am living a dream,” I answer sarcastically.

Our eyes meet, and I smile widely. I hope my smile looks friendly since I want to stab him in the eye with the fork in my pocket.

He nods. “That’s good to hear. You look like you’re having the time of your life.”

I see that, just like his brother, he is cold and lacks a conscience. We get to the door, and the guards pull it open.

It’s the first time in weeks that I have felt the sun directly on my skin. The cool afternoon breeze hits me, and I feel tears sting my eyes at the thought of everything that has been taken away from me by these men. I used to have a life that wasn’t perfect, but at least I wasn’t locked up in a room.

We walk into the garden that is blooming with the prettiest flowers, and he stops abruptly, turning to me with a frown on his face.

My lips curve up in a smile. “Is there a problem?”

He pulls out a gun and points it at my head. I don’t flinch, and the smile doesn’t leave my face as the cold barrel of the gun presses down on my forehead.

“I should thank you for today. You saved my brothers and me,” he growls.

“I’m not accustomed to being appreciated with a gun to my head. Anyhow, you’re welcome,” I reply.

I feel for the handle of the fork in my pocket.

“Why didn’t you tell the cops the truth?” he asks, pressing the gun harder into my head.

“What exactly should I have told them, pray tell? What exactly is the truth?”

“Don’t be smart with me. I could kill you here and now.”

“Then do it.”

There is tense silence as I calmly meet his eyes and stand still, waiting for him to carry out his threat. His fingers flex on the trigger, and a shiver runs through my spine, but I don’t move.

His face suddenly relaxes, and he pulls the gun away. “You’re a fearless one, aren’t you?”

I dare not exhale or show fear. So instead, I grin. “It would be a shame for me to die before getting to know my brother-in-law properly.”

He tilts his head and looks at me. “Do you think you’re actually going to stay married to him?”

I raise my finger to show the ring. “I mean, it has taken a bit of getting used to, but I think I am going to enjoy being married to your brother.”

He lets out a snort, and I realize he is laughing. “What about being married to him? Do you like it?”

I shrug. “He fucks well.”

The smile leaves his face, and he raises his gun. “Hey, don’t get too comfortable!” he snaps.

I raise my hands in surrender. “You asked.”

He sighs. “What you did today was impressive. I’ll give that to you. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“You don’t know me.”

They must think that I am some weak and useless girl. It’s good for me and even better for my plan if they do. I’ll snuff their brother’s life out right under their noses, and they’ll never see it coming.

He nods. “You’re right,” he replies. “I don’t know you, and I am pleasantly surprised that you are capable of such duplicity.”

I search his face, but I get no answer to the question lingering in my mind, so I ask instead, “Why did you ask me to come out here?”

He grins this time. “To tell you that I don’t fucking trust you. And to offer you a deal.”

“A deal?”

He nods. “I’ll let you go on your jolly way if you can forget that all this ever happened—by all this, I mean that you forget about being with my brother and this whole stupid marriage charade you both have going on.”

I chuckle. “That’s your deal?”

He purses his lips in thought. “I’ll do you one better—name your price, and you’ll have it.”

I tap my lips in thought, and then I look at him.

“You know, maybe sometime a week ago, your deal would have been everything to me. But right now,” I flash a grin, knowing that words cut deep, “I am in love with your brother, and I hope that you understand how much of a dilemma it is to leave now.”

His eyes darken. “Is that your choice? To stay here and face whatever comes of it?”

I am about to reply acidly when I hear the sound of footsteps behind me.

“That’s enough,” comes an ice-cold voice.

Antonio steps up behind me, and he takes my hand. “Didn’t she tell you she had strict orders not to leave the mansion?” he asks his brother.

As he speaks, he gently pulls me behind him so that his huge frame half covers me.

“She did, but I don’t see reason with you locking up a pretty woman in an airless room,” his brother responds just as coldly.

His grip on my hand tightens. “Do not speak to her or summon her without my permission. Am I clear?”

He and his brother have a stare-down for a minute. I can’t see his face, but his brother’s eyes have disappointment in them.

If I end his life and leave his brothers permanently disgusted with him, then that is the perfect icing on the cake of their punishment.

His brother cracks first and clears his throat. “Clear as day.”

“Good.” Antonio turns to me with a frown on his face. “Let’s go,” he mumbles, hugging me. I follow behind him as he pulls me back into the mansion.

“Are you hurt?” he asks as I struggle to catch up to his pace.

“No, he just wanted to talk,” I gasp as I try to keep up. He suddenly stops, making me bump into him, and he turns to face me.

“Don’t lie to me, Alyssa.”

I swallow as I meet the intensity of his eyes. I have no words, so I stare limply. His eyes dart down to my bare feet.

No one thought to get me new shoes when I became a prisoner here. Throughout all my misadventures in this hell hole, I have moved around barefoot.

But now, as he stares down at my feet, I become conscious of them.

He sighs, and without warning, he sweeps me off the floor, making me throw my hands around his neck. I feel his strong arms holding my back and under my knees, as he carries me into the mansion like a bride.

“There is truly no need for this. I am not bothered by walking barefoot,” I whisper as I see the merciless eyes of the workers following us.

“Stay still, Alyssa,” he orders, and I fall silent.

I look at his face. He seems solemn. He has never addressed me without a snigger or a smirk. We get to my room, and he looks at the guards by the door.

“You may go,” he tells them.

With a bow, they leave, fighting not to stare at how I am held in his arms.

He carries me into the room and somehow manages to shut the door before he takes me to my bed and lowers me down onto it.

“A maid will come in to get your shoe size.” He looks away as he speaks.

“Thank you,” I respond, trying to make eye contact. He nods, and he turns to go, but I shoot up off the bed.

“Are you by any chance upset with me?” I ask shakily. I can’t let him leave just like that—the time is ticking.

Antonio Russo has to be under my thumb one way or another.

He doesn’t answer.

“Forgive me for going with him. I prepared for you, and I waited. I can get ready for you again.”

He sighs and finally turns to face me. “You don’t have to. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

He starts to walk toward the door, and I run after him until I get to face to face with him.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask desperately, scanning his face. He can’t get tired of me now.

“Enjoy the rest of your day. That’s an order.”

With that, he walks past me and out of the room. I sink to the floor. This can’t be happening to me. I’m running out of time to kill him, and if he gets bored with me now, I don’t know how I’ll get close enough to him.

I refuse to examine too closely the disappointment that is burning within me because he chose not to fuck me. I can’t deny it any longer, I crave his touch.

My enjoyment of his rough treatment of my body doesn’t diminish my desire to kill him, but it does complicate matters for my heart.