Chapter 7 The Mafia Boss Unwilling Bride

_DAISY<3

I nervously put on the expensive-looking silver bracelet and necklace with some help from my mother-in-law, and I thanked her.

Lorenzo had gotten very angry with me when I had refused his mother.

I admitted that this was my fault; I had handled that horribly and ended up being rude.

The bracelet felt light and soft on my hand, and the cold material of the necklace now on my neck made me gasp lightly as it touched my warmer flesh, and goosebumps rose on my skin as I sucked in a breath.

I had never noticed my skin was so sensitive; I did not recall ever owning accessories or even wearing one, except for my one and only stud earrings.

I peered down at the necklace, trying to see it on myself, but it was impossible to get a clear view from that position.

I huffed, looking back up only to see my future husband staring at me with a distant look, his brown eyes dark with the lighting of the room.

I quickly looked away, feeling heat rise to my cheeks; he had seen my failed attempt at trying to see the necklace.

"Well, I will have to get used to seeing three beautiful ladies in the room, instead of two, huh?" I heard a deep voice, similar to Lorenzo's, call from the door.

I immediately recognized the voice as my father-in-law's as he approached his wife. I again felt my face become hot with embarrassment as his words registered.

"Yes, my love, I believe you will." my mother-in-law smiled brightly at her husband. They looked at each other with such love and affection; it was a beautiful thing to witness.

"I see you got the gift Elena was excited to give to you." my father-in-law said, nodding at me, and I smiled at him.

I still could not believe I was speaking with the ex-Mafia boss and that I would be getting married to the Mafia boss right in the very house I had heard stories about growing up.

It was all so surreal.

"You are very kind, sir." I said, bowing a little in respect.

"Oh no, none of this, dear. You're part of the family now; it is not customary for you to address me as such." he said warmly; his tone catching me off guard.

It was fatherly.

My nose stung in a familiar way, confusing me. Why was I getting emotional?

"You should call me Papa; it is what a daughter-in-law should call her husband's father." he said, a sad edge gripping his words, his wife's hold visibly tightening on him.

Their eyes shared sadness, making my heart hurt for them.

"Well," my mother-in-law broke the silence with a forced, cheery but nervous laugh. "Then you must call me Mama as well; it is only fair." She nodded, making me smile at them.

"Right. I just want to say welcome to the family, dear." Papa continued. "I have something to tell you both. Son?" he called, making Lorenzo step up beside me.

My left arm tingling in awareness, the heat from his huge body touching mine, even though there was no real contact.

"Yes. I am aware of the circumstances you are both under right now, getting married to strangers, and for Daisy, how it seemed like you were sold." he grimaced, making me squirm uncomfortably.

"However, I would appreciate it if you were to-" he paused, maybe picking his words.

"Act like you are in love. Getting married out of love." Isadora finished for him.

I tensed, my eyes widened, and my future husband let out a sound that was close to a laugh but not quite.

"You're fucking with me?" he spat, making me flinch. I started to fiddle with my hands nervously.

"Language, Lorenzo. You know the family. They will have questions about how we chose your bride, and we would rather not get into that." Mother-in-law scolded Lorenzo.

"If you are to say or act as if it were a lovely relationship between the two of you, it will invite fewer questions." she explained, her tone soft.

"And a woman who is known for being the Mafia boss's priority will be feared and respected. It is vital for Daisy's security." Father-in-law added.

Lorenzo breathed out angrily, muttering curses in Italian.

"I know it is a lot to ask, but will you please try, darling?" Mother-in-law looked at me with hopeful eyes, and I could not possibly say no.

She has been so nice to me. It would be impossible to deny her.

"Of course I will do what is necessary for the sake of the family." I recited the words I had grown up learning.

A good wife always kept her husband's family happy.

I felt an intense glare on me, making me nervous to even look in Lorenzo's direction. So I didn't; I kept my gaze on the floor.

"Oh, thank you, darling. We are so happy God has blessed us with a wonderful daughter-in-law." She hugged me, taking me completely by surprise.

When was the last time I hugged somebody? Yesterday. Mother-in-law had hugged me yesterday.

"Whatever. Are we not late for this joke of an engagement?" Lorenzo seethed.

"Ah, one more thing, son. You must stay with your fiancee all night. I do not want what happened to me to happen to her when I got engaged." Mother-in-law turned to Lorenzo.

"My God, they prey like crows on an innocent-looking face like hers." She said, and with a final reassuring smile at me, she walked out arm in arm with her husband.

Their children followed suit, all but one.

"I appreciate your need to please my parents. I am, however, not looking to be pleased. Follow my lead in there, and I will direct you when needed." He fully turned to me.

I just nodded, not making eye contact with him in fear of angering him further. I had made the mistake of hoping he would be like his siblings or even his parents.

But I was wrong. I guessed I was going to be just another burden to him, like I had always been to Father.