Claimed by the Mafia Boss

BETH'S POV :

New York City, the city for flashy broadways, exclusive shops, expensive apartments and high flying business tycoons is where the land of opportunity lies. Or so people think.

To me it's the city for depression, unaffordable rent, unbearable traffic, screaming people, bustling roads, gamblers and many more.

And in this concrete jungle lies one of the most world famous multi national telecommunications company; The Marino telecom. I looked at it in awe letting my eyes roam the gigantic building as the taxi I boarded drove past. People were walking in and out , everyone looking so busy and professional.

I wonder what it'd feel like to work in the corporate world ,what it'd be like to work under a man like Vitali Marino. I have heard stories of his ruthlessness and how he never hesitates to get his staff fired at the slightest act of misconduct but a part of me felt it was all exaggerated, the stories of his ruthlessness and all, surely no one could be that evil.

The taxi driver honks furiously at another driver and that brings me back to reality. Soon I was at my stop, I worked at a coffee shop and then after my day shift, I would go work at a night club. I worked two jobs so I could afford rent, food and also save up money for my fees .

I was a high school graduate but I couldn't go to college because my father had no money, since then I decided to take destiny into my own hands and work hard to send myself to college one day.

I was a sucker for education, I had always been that perfect straight A student .

"Good morning Mr jade " I greet my boss

"You're late again!!" He scowls at me

"I'm sorry" I apologize honestly, these past few days have been difficult for me. I haven't been getting enough sleep because I had to work extra hours at the club just to get a little extra pay. Our rent is due soon and my father wastes all his money on drinks and gambling .

"A sorry won't save you tomorrow " he warned and walked away

Letting out a deep sigh, I get behind the counter and put on an apron ready to serve.

The smell of freshly baked croissants hit my nose and my belly rumbles reminding me that I haven't had breakfast.

"There's a couple who just got here , I think you should go get their order " Mae my co worker alerts me as she puts together another customer's order.

I simply nod.

"What would you like to order ma'am and sir " I say giving my brightest smile .

The lady looks at me with contempt

"Why are you smiling at my husband? " she queries

"What?" I asked utterly bewildered.

She cocks a brow

"I ...I'm sorry " I quickly apologized while looking at the floor .

"Get out of here and have another waiter serve us instead . Idiot! " she spat

I looked at her husband for help or a little defense but got none. I tried to fight back my tears and as I nodded and walked away.

I hated myself, I should have said something , she didn't have to make me feel so small, I should have defended myself .

I didn't know how to defend myself, I always let people walk all over me because I was too scared to say something.

**************

After what seemed like forever I was done with my shift at the coffee shop, I was to go home, have lunch and freshen up for my night shift at the club .

As I stepped into the front porch , I could hear voices in the sitting room, these weren't the usual voices of happy drunk men talking boisterously and laughing. It sounded like voices of conflict.

I pushed open the door.

"Be...th" I hear my father's labored voice call my name. There were three men in the room. One was seated and smoking a cigarette with no emotion on his face , he seemed like the boss to the other two who were hitting my father .

"Dad" I scream and I rush to his side .

I kneel down and start to plead with the men begging them to let my dad go .

"Shut up" the one smoking thunders and everywhere falls silent ,even the men stop. I feel myself shaking , my courage was really running thin.

The man stands up , our sitting room is dimly lit ,the doors and windows were closed so I could barely see his face but I could feel his dark commanding aura.

"Your sorry excuse of a father, owes me money and I'm going to kill him" He stands in front of my dad but he refers to me .

His voice was silky and deep ,I could feel chills travel up my spine .

"P...please don't kill him sir, I would pay you the money . I would raise your money in no time .I work two jobs ,one at a coffee store and the other at a......"

" If you don't shut that mouth up ,I would shut it for you.......permanently " he said slowly but firmly making sure to pass his threat in a subtle yet terrifying manner.

I swallowed hard .

"Does your silly ass really think you could pay me back? Your stupid father owes me a million dollars. Even if you worked your entire lifetime you would never be able to raise that" he seethed.

I was dumbfounded .

What could my dad have needed such money for ?

A million freaking dollars???

Even if I worked in two lifetimes I'd never be able to raise that.

"But since you're willing to pay. There's a way you could pay me back " he smirked deviously at me

and I shuddered in fear.

Good lord ! What did he mean by that.

"Vitali plea..se" my father's weak voice was heard

Did he just say Vitali? As in Vitali freaking Marino?

What on earth was my father thinking borrowing money from such a man ,a man that reeked of danger. How did this even happen, how did my father even get the connections to meet such a high and mighty man, let alone borrow from him. Surely it had to be another Vitali .

What did he do with all the money , he didn't put it in the household development neither did he pay the rent or send me to school. Did he use all of it to gamble and drink?

Many questions reeled in my head and I couldn't find answers . What was going on?

"What do you want ?" I asked shakily .

"You are going to go with me " and then looking at my father, he said " we will sign a contract and you would sell your daughter to me . She would be my slave for one year"

"Noo ... dad please " I shrieked . My father loved me, surely he wouldn't do this, I was sure but the next words coming out from my father's mouth had me transfixed to a spot .

"Kill me".

Before anyone could say anything he added ;

"I know that would be the other option , either you take my daughter or you kill me . And I'd never give my innocent precious daughter to a man like you"

" I wasn't asking David . You would give your daughter to me for one year,I will draw up a contract and you would sign it and since you're so eager to die, that won't be a problem" he said with a straight face and then pulled out a gun and pointed it at my dad .

I had never seen a gun up close before. I felt paralyzed; the amount of shock I had witnessed today was enough to give me a heart attack.

The room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop, I could feel my dad's fear. My heartbeat was so loud I could hear it over the deafening silence.

Crak!

He cocked the gun, and the fear of losing my father pushed me off the floor, and I found myself clutching at his leg, begging him to take me but forgive my father and let him leave.

He didn't seem to like that, but I didn't care; I couldn't lose the only person I had left in this world.

I felt two strong arms lift me. It was one of his men.

"I'd send my lawyer over tomorrow"

And without as much as a glance at me or my dad he was gone.

I quickly ran to my dad's side, he had some bruises and cuts on his face. He seemed to be in so much pain. I got an ice pack from the fridge so he could place it on his bruises while I tried to administer some first aid to the cuts.

****************

Later that evening, I couldn't find the strength to go to the club that night. I had to call my friend, Zoe, who worked the same job, to cover for me but I didn't give her the details of why I was absent.

I could see the light coming out of my dad's room so I knew he was inside. He didn't go drinking tonight, probably because he was injured.

I entered inside because we needed to talk. I had no idea what was going on, and I was in desperate need of answers.

"I'm so sorry", he croaked the moment he saw me, and upon closer look at his face, I saw that he was crying.

"I have failed as a father" he sobbed.

"Dad, please tell me it's all a dream; tell me I'm not going away with that monster. Dad please!!!!!!"

I screamed as hot tears streamed down my face

"Whyy???? " I asked him but he didn't respond, even when I gently shook him and asked again.

"Elizabeth I am deeply sorry. I know I have failed you, but please find a place in your heart to forgive me, " was all he kept saying.

That was all the confirmation I needed to know that he had spent that money drinking and gambling. A whole million dollars and I was left to pay for it.

This was not the father I used to know; this was not the man who raised me.

My dad wasn't always like this, but when Mum died, everything changed. Dad became someone else, he would get drunk night after night, keep late nights and act so irresponsibly. So much so that he was fired from work because he was no longer as productive and efficient as the sack letter had read.

I looked at him, he had lost so much weight. He wasn't the happy man I used to know, and we weren't the happy family we used to be.

"Mum's death was difficult for me too, Dad, but you don't see me acting like you. I try so hard to cater for myself.

You know I want to go to school, have a career and get married for love, but here you are selling me to some billionaire who is rumoured to have deep roots in the Mafia," my voice cracked.

I was deeply hurt and heartbroken. What was this going to mean for me, the end of my dreams?

All my aspirations have gone down the drain. I was going to be a common slave to a ruthless billionaire.

"Beth please, you have to calm down. It's just for a year " his eyes held mine

"Just for a year? You call a whole 365 days just?

" I shook my head in disbelief."

You know, I never thought I'd say this, but I hate you, Dad", and with that, I ran to my room and shut the door in tears.

I could hear him run after me and knock on my door, but I ignored him.

*********

The next day morning, I didn't go to work. I was sitting next to Dad and a lawyer dressed in an expensive suit on the only couch we had in the living room.

My dad was asked to sign a document and so was I.

"Please do well to go through it properly before signing Miss Marlowe" the lawyer who earlier introduced himself as Ian Thompson advised, his voice was high pitched like a woman's.

I didn't bother to read through the contract because I knew that no matter what I saw there, I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

I quickly signed as instructed and handed it over to the lawyer, and soon after inspecting it, he announced that he was leaving.

After he was gone, I shared a look with my dad

"What's next?" I whispered so quietly I didn't expect him to hear.

"Vitali called. He asked for us to be present at a ball tomorrow, and he sent a package for you, "he said, avoiding my eyes. He was ashamed.

"Where is this package?" I asked after a few minutes of silence passed painfully between us.

I wondered when he could have sent it, it was just 9am.

I also wondered what could be inside, I hope it wasn't a time bomb or something.

He stood up and walked to his room, I noticed he was limping slightly. They must have bruised his legs as well.

A few seconds later, he was back. It was a big black box.

I hesitated, I didn't want any more heartbreaking surprises.

Slowly I gathered some courage and tore it open while my dad watched in silence.

It was a dress and a pair of shoes.

"Typical " I muttered under my breath with an eye roll.

I took them to my room to try them out.

The gown was a stunning red mini gown made from fine silk and velvet, with a fitted silhouette and intricate beading.

It was beautiful and looked very expensive, but I wasn't going to wear that, it was way too short, and it had almost my whole body on display. I looked like a whore.

And let's not even talk about the shoes, I had never worn a 6-inch heel my whole life. I wasn't sure I would be able to walk in that.

Taking the dress off, I made up my mind to wear one of my old clothes; I didn't even have party clothes because I wasn't the party-going type.

Just as I lifted the box and dropped it in my wardrobe, my phone rang.

Without even looking at the screen I picked up.

"Hello?" I drawled

"Elizabeth"

I froze.

How did he get my number?

"Did you lose your ability to speak? " he snapped when I didn't say anything for a few seconds

"Yes...I mean n..no sir " I stammered

"Have you received the dress?" His voice was low yet it made my insides tremble.

"Yes, I have " I nodded as though he could see me.

"Good. You would wear that dress to the ball tomorrow. I hope it's your perfect size?"

"Yes, it is. But I'm sorry, I cannot wear that dress, it's too revealing and the shoe is way too

uncomfortable, I...."

"Elizabeth ..." It sounded like a warning the way he said my name and my mouth clamped shut.

"I wasn't asking. See you at the ball"

And with that, he ended the call.

Well....that didn't go too well.

I sat my frustrated ass down murmuring to myself that I would not wear that dress tomorrow but deep down in me, I knew I didn't have the guts to disobey him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watched the clock as I got ready, I didn't own makeup so I applied light powder, a little bit

of mascara and a pink lip gloss. I let my long chestnut brown hair cascade down my back.

Giving myself one last look in the mirror, I decided I was ready.

I did not like my dress. I was no beauty queen and I didn't get many compliments on my looks, so I didn't feel beautiful, I've never really felt beautiful.

I convinced myself that I didn't look attractive much and no one would care about the not-so-attractive girl in an indecent dress.

They wouldn't even look at me twice.

At exactly 6:00pm. A very flashy ride pulled up outside. I knew it was him, I picked up my purse and headed for the door. My dad was also invited to this ball but he was to find his way there.

I wobbled a little because of the shoes.

The black SUV was parked right in front of the house. I hopped in the car and of course, he was there, busy with his phone, not even sparing me a glance.

"Good evening " I faked a smile.

He didn't respond. So freaking rude!

"Good evening sir" I tried again

"I like a quiet ride", he snapped, and I apologized quietly.

The seats of the car were so plush, everything screamed luxury. I'd never been on a fancy ride

before and I was determined to enjoy this experience but it didn't take long before I found myself dozing off.

~~~~~~

A rude tap on my shoulder woke me up. I yawned and opened my eyes as I tried to regain full consciousness.

"Get down" an irritated Vitali ordered.

Immediately, the sleep vanished from my eyes, and I got out of the vehicle.

I woke at his side, and he began to inspect my dress. I felt my cheeks flame when his eyes landed on my cleavage.

For some reason, I wanted him to look, but his gaze didn't linger.

He motioned that we go in.

I was feeling exposed, so I found myself pulling at my dress to make it cover more skin.

"If you fucking pull on that dress again. I'd see you it that you don't have hands anymore " he

whispered in my ears so I could hear above the loud music.

His breath was hot as it fanned my neck while he said that and I shivered feeling both aroused and afraid.

What the freak was wrong with me?

I looked around me, this wasn't like any other ball.

Most of the women here were dressed in worse outfits and even higher heels than mine. With huge tits hanging out and jelly butts peeking through the hem of their dresses.

They looked like bimbos ...brainless bimbos, all clinging to their men. Some men had two or more serenading them.

I was surprised because I expected that a ball was going to be a formal event, not a brothel-themed party.

Some men were smoking, some were drinking and laughing, and some had Intricate tattoos all over the parts of their bodies I could see. They all looked dangerous.

"What's up beautiful" I felt a painful spank on my butt and I yelped in both surprise and pain,

attracting the attention of a few people, and they laughed at me.

I looked at the man, he reeked of cigarettes and alcohol. He bit his lip and grabbed my ass again.

I moved to escape his touch, lost my balance and fell, knocking down the tray of drinks a

waiter was carrying.

I could feel all eyes on me.

I have never been so embarrassed in all my life.

I could feel tears brimming in my eyes.

"Yo ..whose slut is she ?" I heard someone call out and some people laughed again.

I heard loud gasps and I looked up to see Vitali punching the guy that groped me and no one tried to stop him. The guy's face was a bloody mess.

A guy with sand-colored hair ran up to Vitali and held him back, asking him to chill out.

The battered guy stood up and staggered a few steps backwards

"what the fuck man? I didn't know she was yours " he held his broken nose.

"As much as look at her again and I'd give you to my hounds for breakfast" he raged at the man who hurried away.

My heartbeat was quick as I watched the whole scene unfold before me.

Vitali offered me his hands and I stood up with shaky legs.

"Are you okay ?" His piercing green eyes pierced into mine. And for a moment I found myself lost in his gaze. He was so beautiful yet so dangerous.

"Y...yes" I bit my lip. His eyes flickered to my lips and I thought I saw them darken for a minute then he looked back into my eyes and he probably didn't like the color or something because he was suddenly frowning again.

"We are leaving " he announced

"We? Leaving to where ? " the questions left my mouth before I could stop them.

"You belong to me now; we are going home" he started walking towards the exit, and I followed him.

How disheartening.

"I haven't got my clothes and stuff with me.Can I go get them please "

"No"

"Please, sir. Can I at least tell my dad goodbye"

"No"

"please how could I just leave like that ..I..I...."

He stopped walking and shot me a glare

"I don't care. I don't want to hear another word from you"

I could see my dad in a corner, watching me with tears in his eyes. He loved me and I loved him too, yes he was reckless but no one is perfect.

I gave him a little wave and he nodded and wiped the corner of his eyes.

******

The ride was uneventful. I sobbed all through.

Once in his mansion, he ordered a maid to show me to my room and once I had freshened up, he sent for me.

I met him seated in his bed, wearing pyjamas pants. I swallowed and tried to look away from his naked upper body.

"You sent for me, sir,", I said, closing the door behind me.

"Take off your clothes"

What?