Arranged To The Ruthless Mafia Leader

Adriana's POV

"WHAT?" I screamed. I couldn't understand why my father would arrange such a thing without my approval first. "I will never marry him, Dad!". I said, filled with anger and hoping for him to change his mind.

"I know that you despise that family and mafia as a whole, but I am doing this for your own good", my dad replied. I didn't like his tone; he sounded genuinely concerned about me which was rare coming from him.

"I raised you as a single dad, but now that you have grown, I need to be reassured that you are safe and in good hands.

"Good hands?". That word felt wrong to me. They are a mafia family and our worst rivals. How could I ever feel safe in their so-called hands? My tone sounded sarcastic but I didn't care. I didn't want to reason with my dad; it felt futile.

"I am doing this to stop bloodshed among us and keep you safe" he continued, trying to convince me. These explanations weakened me the more.

"I have arranged the marriage and you will get married to him. It is final". Before I could say anything, he finalized his words; his tone stern and authoritative. That tone was more like him.

I stormed out of his office, still furious, unable to utter a word.

All I could think about was a way to change my dad's mind. Nothing would ever make me marry into the Castillo family.

As soon as I entered my bedroom, I picked up my phone and dialed Juan's number. He was the only person I could think of who might help change my father's mind.

"Hey, Juan, how quickly can you get back to Mexico?".I asked him, skipping our usual conversation and pleasantries.

"Is everything alright?"I could feel his sudden worry, so I didn't want to add to it. "Just please get here before 8 a.m. tomorrow" was all I managed to say. I couldn't explain anything over the phone.

His assurance after that meant everything to me but a small part of me still felt uneasy and uncertain about tomorrow.

I lay down on my bed, trying to figure out a way out of my situation when memories began flooding back.

I still remember that day vividly.

I was just eleven years old, barely knowing much about how life or death was. My mum had been in the hospital for a week and my dad didn't want to tell me what was wrong with her. My driver was supposed to take me to see her after school, but I didn't make it in time.

Diego had locked me inside my classroom when the school session ended. By the time a teacher found me and I reached the hospital, my mum had already died.

"She waited a long time for you, dear, but she couldn't wait anymore." That was all I could hear my dad say. I regretted not telling her goodbye or hugging her one last time, and it was all Diego's fault.

Deep down inside, I wished I had never known Diego since childhood. I could never forget that painful memory, and I could never forgive him either. And now, I was being forced to marry him?

I could never let that happen.

"Shoot!" I exclaimed, as I got an urgent call and remembered my schedule.

Diego's POV

"What do you mean he escaped?"I glared at Rodrigo.

"That fool knew we were coming and escaped the moment we got there. We couldn't do anything!."Rodrigo said.

I want him caught and brought to me by tomorrow noon. Do you hear me?" I glanced at Rodrigo and he nodded.

"Diego, please calm down. They at least tried to catch him," my best buddy Luis said, patting my shoulder. I glanced at him.

"They still did a poor job by not catching him. I trained them very well, yet they haven't managed to capture a single guy in three days." I was disappointed in them and I wanted it to be evident.

"Diego, I have an important message from your father," Luis said seriously while holding out his phone.

I signaled for Rodrigo and the rest of my men to leave my office and they complied. Luis stepped closer to me and read the message on his phone. He then pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me, explaining that someone had delivered it.

"WHAT?" I roared, standing up from my chair. My bodyguards standing near the entrance shook and I liked it.

"Calm down, please," Luis urged, but I was too angry to listen to him.

"Why would my father do such a thing without my consent first?" I demanded, trying to get an understanding but failing.

"Tell the driver to get the car ready now" I instructed Luis. He quickly went to follow my order. Without hesitation, I left my office and headed for the car. As I passed my men in the lobby, they all stared at me.

"Gather as many men as possible. You must bring that man to me tomorrow, no matter what it takes." I commanded, pointing at Rodrigo.

"Yes, boss," he replied, and I was satisfied. I left the building immediately, forgetting the envelope in my office.

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"Mr. Diego, your father wants to see you in his office now," one of the servants said immediately I entered the living room.

"Wait here for me; I'll be back," I told Luis before storming off.

"What the hell dad!" I roared as I barged into his office.

"I am sure you have heard the information clearly. You need to be ready for tomorrow." He spoke casually but his words only made me angrier.

"Is that all you have to say? Why did you arrange such a thing without my consent?" I was torn between anger and confusion. No matter what, I wasn't going to leave without a valid reason or answer.

"You need to see this as a peace treaty to stop bloodshed among us. Besides, you are old enough to get married." That was all he could say. I felt so enraged at the thought of marrying the daughter of my rival.

"Couldn't you choose anyone other than the daughter of our rival?"I needed a more valid explanation.

"Son, you will marry her tomorrow, if not for anything else, then for my sake." With that, he ended our conversation and left his office.

I am Diego Castillo, the most feared person in all mafia syndicates and here I am, being forced into something I didn't bargain for. I could never agree to this.

"Where are you going, Diego?" Luis asked, concern evident in his voice as I exited the office and headed for the living room door.

"You will not follow me," I commanded, casting a quick glance at him. With that, I left for my car, wanting to drive alone. I sped beyond the driving limit, heading to an unknown destination. I didn't care.

Diego's POV

I fired a shot and memories began flooding in. I can still remember that day vividly. I kept firing shots as the echoes of that fateful day crashed against my mind. I could still see her face, pale and fragile, as she gasped for breath.

The memories were sharp. I was a mature man then, ready to take over from where my father left off, yet I could cry like a small child when my mother died.

I had failed her. I had been too weak, too scared to save the one person who meant everything to me. The guilt consumed me.

As I kept firing, lost in the past, the present faded away. Not a soul tried to save her; some merely stood by, watching, while the others escaped the scene. The damage had already been done and nothing would ever be the same again.

That incident turned me into a stern, merciless, and unforgiving person. I came dangerously close to becoming just like my father; the only difference was that I could never harm a woman. I left the dirty work to my loyal men.

"Mr Diego, you have an urgent call," my associate at the shooting range informed me.

I removed my earmuffs and glanced at my phone to see numerous calls and messages from Luis insisting it was urgent and that I should call him back. I dialed his number.

"I will send you an address; meet me at the shooting range," I told him. I couldn't drive again; I desperately needed rest at that moment.

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"Diego, one of our men is dead and another one is hospitalized," Luis said when we got into the car and drove off.

"How did that happen?"I yelled. The guts someone had to attack my men.

"Our men went to catch the man that broke into our warehouse, but they fell into his trap, and one of them died while the other one was severely injured," Luis explained. This man had crossed a line and I needed to take action quickly.

"Call Ignacio right now. Tell him to check all the cameras for that man's whereabouts near the incident site, and do it fast," I instructed.

I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes for a moment. The thought of marrying her flashed through my mind. I couldn't remember her appearance anymore; I could only recall her name. I had to resolve this marriage issue quickly.

My thoughts were interrupted by a notification on my phone. I opened it and was surprised by what I read. The audacity she had to reject me.

No one dared to turn down Diego Castillo, yet she did. Even if I didn't like her at all, she should have not rejected me. "She is feisty and courageous," I said with a smirk. I needed to know more about her.

Marrying her won't be so bad," I thought. "If she proves to be a challenge, I could break her strong will and tame her. I could weaken her until she begs me to spare her. I smiled at the thought.

Adriana's POV

"Did you have to do that?" I asked Camila, my best friend, as we prepared to leave after our working hours were over.

"As your best friend, I need to look out for you. How could I let a monster like him marry you?" I could tell that she was genuinely concerned for me, but she didn't need to take such a drastic step. I sighed.

I felt my knees become weak as I read the contents of the message:

"Mr Diego, this is Adriana Cruz. I want to make myself clear which is why I am writing to you. I will never marry you or take the Castillo name. Therefore, I suggest you talk to your father about canceling the marriage while I speak to mine as well. The marriage will never happen, so please find a way to call it off. Thank you."

The message left my head spinning, and for some strange reason, I began to feel a heat rising inside me. Although I didn't know Diego very well, I would never forget how ruthless and unforgiving he could be. No one dared to oppose him as they feared for their lives.

"What am I going to do about this mess Camilia?" He must have read the letter by now, as it was too late to delete it. I realized it was a mistake to save his number in my phone as per my father's request yesterday.

"Remain calm, and don't worry about anything, Adriana. I am with you all the way," she said, holding my hand. Her words didn't feel reassuring at all. Only if she knew who she messed with this time.

When I arrived home that night, I opened a can of alcoholic drinks and slumped onto my bed. I needed something to relieve my stress because everything seemed to be going wrong. I had decided to go to school abroad just so I could escape everything related to the mafia, yet, somehow, I still ended up getting involved with it. I hoped everything would be alright by the next day.

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"Why won't you let me sleep in peace, Dad?" I asked as the voices of people echoed throughout the house. I had a splitting headache that morning and was heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water when suddenly I froze in my steps.

Different styles of wedding gowns were laid out in the living room. Today was the wedding and I had completely forgotten about it. My dad was still very serious about it.

My dad looked at me. "It's good you're awake dear. Wash up and get dressed fast because the wedding will begin in two hours." He seemed excited, grinning from ear to ear, which was unusual for him.

I quickly ran to my bedroom and slammed the door. Just as I reached for my phone to dial Juan's number, my dad walked in.

He seemed disappointed in me. "I know you were about to call Juan," he said as he stepped closer, making me feel anxious.

"Why did you have to call him yesterday?"He added. "I just want you to get married so someone can look after you when I'm too old." He seemed upset and I didn't know how to respond.

"I can marry anyone else except him. How can you easily forget that they are our rivals and not to be trusted?"

He turned to leave without saying a word. As he reached the door, he looked back, and my heart stopped when I saw his face.

Adriana's POV

"Do you take Mr Diego to be your lawful wedded husband?" The priest's words sent shivers down my spine. I looked into Diego's eyes and felt his anger and hatred just from our gaze.

"Yes," I hesitantly replied in a whisper when someone shook me. I looked around until I saw Mr Antonio. I sensed a hidden agenda behind this sudden arrangement.

I wanted to say something foolish but the smile in my father's eyes stopped me in my tracks. "Why did he have to be bleeding from his nose?" I thought. Seeing his bleeding nose when he turned to look at me when we were at home scared me, and I felt I had to accept the marriage just to keep him happy.

"Yes, I do," I finally said, giving in to the marriage. At that moment, Juan walked into the church, breathing heavily like he had been running. I gave him a look and he understood immediately, stopping in his tracks.

It was too late to do anything now.

The ride back home was dead silent, and I could hear my heart beating. "Why did Diego not call off the marriage even after reading my message?" I wondered.

"What was he planning?" As far as I knew, Diego wanted nothing to do with me or my family. I looked at him, and he seemed completely apathetic.

"WHAT?" Diego roared when Luis whispered something to him. He commanded the driver to turn the car around and the driver obeyed without question.

I froze. "What is happening?" I wondered, filled with fear of what would happen next.

Diego's POV

I hadn't seen her since high school. Damn! She is incredibly pretty and gorgeous. The slim and curvaceous body she showcased in her gown was stunning. There was something about her that mesmerized me, and I felt compelled to find out more.

After the wedding was over, we got into the car to head home, and Luis followed me as always. I could sense that she was uncomfortable as she entered the car, and I couldn't help but smirk. It was hard to believe she was the same girl who had sent me that message.

I smiled to myself, thinking, "I will enjoy dealing with her."

I leaned back in my seat when Luis's phone began ringing.

"Diego, they caught the guy who broke into our warehouse but he said he would leak your dirty secrets if we don't release him," Luis whispered just as I closed my eyes to think.

WHAT?" I roared. He dared to threaten me, the audacity that someone would do that to Diego Castillo. I commanded the driver to turn the car around, and he obeyed.

I glanced at Adriana and could see that she was scared, but I didn't care. I was too furious to think rationally at that moment.

"We're here," Luis told me, and I looked up to see that we had indeed arrived at my building. I got out of the car and headed towards my target.

I turned back and instructed my driver, "Keep an eye on her." Then I walked up to the blonde who was tied to a chair. He had several scars on his body, and I was surprised by how tough he must be to have endured that kind of pain.

"I hate asking questions twice, so I expect you to answer immediately," I said to the guy. "Who ordered you to break into my warehouse and what was your objective?" My tone was cold, and I found it satisfying. He rolled his eyes and met my gaze.

"If I am not back at my place by the end of today, my associate will expose your secret to my master. So I suggest you release me now." That was all he could say, and I couldn't help but snicker; he dared to look me in the eye and threaten me.

I asked him who his master was and he just looked away. He wanted to act tough but I was ready for him.

Get me my weapon," I told Rodrigo, and he complied. I had enough of this fool. He kills one of my men and dares to threaten me! Clearly, he didn't know what I was capable of.

Rodrigo handed me my baseball bat. How I loved this precious item. One could hear the sound when I hit someone with it. I signaled for my men to move away.

With a loud smack, I struck his face, causing his chair to topple over.

With another smack, I struck him harder this time, and blood gushed out of his mouth. I continued striking him, harder than before.

He bled all over and one could not recognize him again because of how swollen his face was.

Please spare me," he pleaded for his life after many strikes, but it was too late. He had a chance to do things the easier way, but he chose not to, and I do not accept pleadings once you have failed the first time.

I heard a voice shout, "Miss, please get back in the car." I turned to see Adriana looking at me in shock. She was gasping for breath, her hands shaking, and I paused what I was doing.

What is wrong with you?" I yelled at the driver. "It was a simple job, and you couldn't even do that right!" For some reason, I was angry that Adriana had seen me act this way. At the same time, I felt a sense of satisfaction because it would make it easier to make her feel weak and scared of me, which was what I wanted.

I instructed Luis to take her back to the car. "Why was she gasping for breath?" I wondered. I didn't feel like continuing what I was doing.

"Take care of it," I instructed Rodrigo as I dropped the bat. I washed my hands and got into the car. As I glanced at Adriana while getting in, I noticed she was still in shock, but her gasping had reduced.

"Isn't she from a Mafia family? Why was she scared to see something like that?" I thought as the car drove us home.

We arrived home, and I asked Luis to wake Adriana up, as she had fallen asleep during the ride. He had a shocking expression when he approached her.

"She's unconscious, Diego," Luis said, looking perplexed. I rushed over to check for myself and noticed that her breathing was shallow and irregular.

Luis looked at me as if he didn't know what to do. "Don't just stare at me-call the doctor, and fast!" I ordered the driver to carry her into the house and head for the bedroom.

The last thing I would want is for this incident to get me in trouble. Not that I care,but I don't want to taint my image of assaulting a lady.