Chapter 3 I Agree

Russo

"No! I won't get married again. I'm not your Cosa Nostra princess!" she said angrily.

"It is for the best, Elena," Tomasso said.

"I'll say it again and for the last time-" Elena turned her burning eyes back on me, "I will not marry you, Mr Santoro, and I apologise if you've been fed the wrong news. There is no way I'll walk down the aisle with you. I'm a mother and I have every right to decide what's right for me and my daughter!"

I watched her as she walked out of the room. When a little birdie told me the Cosa Nostra heiress, Elena Bianchi, was divorced and her uncles were looking for a husband for her, I knew I had to marry her. What I didn't know was that the girl was as feisty and as cold as I was. This was fun; I'd always loved my women to be feisty. Now I must have you, Elena Bianchi.

"Excuse me." A woman stood up and ran after Elena. That was her mother, Rina, I had studied the Cosa Nostra family tree for years. Elena was the carbon copy of her mother.

"I sincerely apologise for the behaviour, Mr Russo. Not to worry; she will come around," Francesco said as he turned towards me. I nodded...I'll give her a few days and that's it. She can't run away from me forever.

****

Elena's Pov

"You will marry him, end of story!"

"Uncle! I cannot," I shouted back at Francesco.

"Need I remind you that no one wants to marry you? You are unmarried and tainting the family name. I have spoken to your mother and she has agreed to it. What you did today shouldn't repeat itself-never walk out on a guest."

I scoffed. After breakfast, Mr Santoro left. The family decided it was best to ignore me until Uncle Francesco called me into his office for a word. How could my mom do this? How could she marry me off again when she was well aware of my former marriage? I didn't want to get married again and didn't want to face what I did before.

"Have I made myself clear?!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

Francesco looked at me, and slowly a smile spread across his lips. "I wonder what would happen when Nera is taken away from you. Right now, the family protects her, but we can't avoid her meeting her father."

"You will not take my daughter," I said.

"Oh, but she's part of the family."

"She's mine! Don't touch her!"

His smile widened, "Good. Agree to the marriage and I'm sure Russo will be happy to welcome your daughter too. He loves children, so I've heard. Think about it, your daughter gets protection in the process."

The fucker-using my daughter as bait. I closed my eyes, and for a second, the thought of what could happen to my daughter if I didn't marry Mr Santoro came to mind. Yes, my daughter was part of the family, but she still remains the child of my ex husband, which means-the family doesn't have full rights over her. That includes her protection.

My daughter is my world, and I would do anything for her. If Mr Santoro marries me-she gets a new father under his wing and protection. All I want is not to expose my daughter to the mafia world. The only thing this world does is destroy and ruin lives, I don't want that for my Nera. I took a deep breath. Walking out of this office meant I'm putting my daughter's life at risk.

"Fine. I will marry him, on the condition that my daughter comes with me."

"Deal," he said with a nod.

I walked out of the office-my head held high. I hope my future husband is elated to have me.