Collateral To The Mafia's Don

"Hurry up, Margaret. We don't have all day, your husband would be here soon," my mother said as she popped her head into my room. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips, we weren't even married at least not yet and the way they all kept talking about the marriage pissed me off. It wasn't like I had a choice, because if I did I would have said no to the alliance as soon as I was told about it.

I turned to look at her, now she had entered the room, her lips curled up as her eyes scanned my body.

"How many times do I have to tell you to get dressed? Or do I have to do that for you as well?" She snarled taking steps towards me. As she got to me she raised her hand and smacked me hard across the face.

My right cheek which she had slapped ached and my vision was blurry. I tried so hard to stop tears from pouring out of my eyes but I couldn't.

I raised my hand to my face touching the cheek that hurt, even though the slap was painful that wasn't even what hurt me more. It was the fact that my mother was willing to give me out like a piece of trash. I was the outcast of the family, I was never good enough. It didn't matter how hard I tried to make them see a little good in me, It was never fruitful.

I tilted my head up to look at her and there was no sign of remorse for what she had just done, rather my eyes met her icy glare which emitted coldness.

"You have just ten minutes to get dressed, and remember to put a smile on that ugly face of yours." She spat placing her fingers on my lips as she widened them forcing a smile.

I nodded, " Make yourself useful for once in your life," she muttered glaring at me once more before she walked out of the room.

Most times I couldn't help but wonder if I was the daughter of my mother's enemy since she hated me so much and did not bother to hide it. Just yesterday, I and my boyfriend Zeus spent the whole afternoon to the evening at the beach, after which we went to his penthouse where we watched movies, we assured ourselves of our love, little did I know that the promises we had made were going to be met with an asunder.

Zeus was the son of a member of the mafia leader gang the Black stones my dad was in. When we met for the first time, I was surprised that he was interested in getting to know me even though my sister Lynn was there, she was the expensive red wine and I was the bitter gourd juice which most wouldn't go for even if they were given for free.

Lynn had beautiful features, she was a blonde, she had thick long eyelashes, green eyes and the body of a model, she was 5'10 ft tall while I was barely 5'5 ft tall. Lynn got her looks from our mother, despite the fact that mom was ageing she was very beautiful. Dad was a good-looking man as well. I couldn't understand where I got my looks from since I was short, chubby, and had boring brown eyes.

Lynn on the other hand was well endowed, despite being the younger one she had so many suitors, and she had the love of both my parents.

My dad loved her a lot but he hated the sight of me, he has always said that my existence has brought him nothing but shame, until yesterday for the first time he said he was proud of me since I had caught the attention of Vladivostok Kostya he was a Russian American mafia Don in the city, I had never met him but from the news, I heard he was called the devil's incarnate, his name alone was enough to make people pee their pants.

He was the ruthless leader of the Blue Scorpion gang the most powerful mafia in our city, they had the power, fame and everything and even worst they feared no authorities, why would they? When they were the authorities. My father had told me that he had taken a loan from Vladivostok and used Lynn as collateral, but the man had chosen me instead. He had offered to give my Dad the opportunity to be a member of the Blue Scorpion if he was willing to give me to him as a wife, and of course, Dad accepted.

"Get ready Magaret. You'll be getting married tomorrow." Those were his words, he said them with coldness evident in his voice, no sign of compassion in his eyes. The moment I heard those words my world crumbled, my heart arched as I felt my breath get stuck in my throat.

I had never felt loved all my life until the moment I met Zeus, and now all of that was going to be over as I would be married to Vladivostok the same man who had killed his father. If he was able to end his own blood then my chances of survival were null, I might end up getting killed the same day I get married to him. I tried to plead with my Dad, but he wasn't ready to hear any of that.

I thought about eloping with Zeus but when I told him, he said it was only going to worsen things since Vladivostok had his men everywhere. It wouldn't take a minute to find us and put an end to our lives. I thought talking to my mom was going to help, but she only told me to be grateful since I was getting married to the wealthiest man in the city, that was the most important thing to my mom, wealth! She was willing to do anything just to get that.

I breathe in and slowly exhale letting the pain out, for a moment I felt better until I fall to the ground. I lifted my head to meet my sister smirking as she stared at me. When did she get in? I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I hadn't even noticed. I and Lynn weren't the best of sisters, and yesterday it got worst, I saw a drastic change in her behaviour towards me ever since My dad announced I was going to be getting married. She was acting like I had taken her most precious possession.

"Why do you keep doing this, Lynn? I'm not your enemy." I muttered getting off the ground.

She rolled her eyes at me before arching her brows. She burst out laughing afterwards.

"We are best of friends, aren't we?" She mocked. Her eyes burned with rage as she scowled at me.

My Mom hates me, my Dad despises me, and my sister sees me as her worst enemy. What a perfect life I've got.

I chuckled, I saw Lynn cocked her head, she tugged her earlobe and she gawked at me like I was someone who was losing her mind. She wasn't wrong, I was doing my best to stay sane, but for how long?

"You always get everything, you got him as well the man I've always desired." She frowned pressing her lips together in a firm line. She jutted her chin out, I could see the hatred she had for me in her expressions. if she had the chance to kill me, I knew she wouldn't wait for a second to do that. She spoke as if I had asked my Dad to let me marry that devil, it made me wonder why Lynn would want a man like that, but the more I thought about it they would be a perfect match. Jezebel marries the devil's incarnate.

"Mom asked me to give you this dress, you should put it on. It did cost a lot of money but I know your body would make it look cheap," she snickered throwing the dress which she was holding onto the bed.

"I hope your life is ruined and filled with so much pain." She let out, and an evil smile crept on her face, she cackled before stepping out of my room.

I took a deep breath, how worst could this day get? First, it was my Mom and now my sister, who knows what is going to happen next. I took a glance at the clock which was hanging on the wall, why hasn't Zeus shown up yet, he told me he was gonna come or did he change his mind. I picked up the dress which Lynn had brought taking a peek at it, I place it in front of my body, It barely covered my thighs. I threw it to the ground in disgust.

There was no way I was going to wear that, I definitely wouldn't want to give the man who was about to become my husband the ideas that I wanted to seduce him or something, the dress was way too revealing. It was backless and the front had a deep cut, which was going to show a lot of cleavage. An idea came into my head, I was going to look the worst. Maybe if he didn't find me attractive enough he was going to have a change of mind.

I ambled to the front of the mirror as I stared at my reflection, my left cheek was red from the slap since I had pale skin, it was really evident. I untied my hair which was packed in a ponytail letting it loose, it was messy and that I liked. I took a black coloured hoodie and sweat pants which I had taken from Zeus, they were his favourite and I didn't give them back so he just let me keep them. Taking off the t-shirt I was wearing I changed into the hoodie and sweatpants. I glanced at the mirror, I smiled at how I looked, that was what I wanted.

I looked like someone who was homeless as my hair was scattered, I ran my hands through my hair making it even worst. I wore my flip-flops, picking up my phone which was on the bedside table I put it in my sweatpant's pocket. Taking a deep breath, I headed for the stairs, As I walked down the stairs I could hear waves of laughter which I recognised to be my parents' voices. I scoffed, a part of me hated the sound of their voice and the other kept reminding me that they were still family. Finally, I reach the living room everywhere went silent as they noticed my presence.

I hoisted my head to look at them, my eyes met mom's. Her eyes trailed my outfit and her jaw clenched.

"What are you wearing?" She asked her eyes showing visible annoyance and anger, I looked down at my feet not knowing what to say.

Dad was about to say something but stopped when the door was opened revealing a man who was wearing a black suit jacket which had little white stripes, he had gold hair which was coifed to perfection, thick bristly eyebrows and sea rover blue eyes which were almond-shaped, there were a fire with passion. He carried an imperious nose well and his angular cheekbones carved down towards a concrete jaw, he was beautiful like a demigod. Beside him was a man who looked fifty he was dressed in a black suit.

"Greetings Don Vladiv," my father and mother greeted bowing slightly. He was the man I was getting married to, I had expected him to look nothing like this maybe an old ugly looking man but this man was smoking hot and young. I could see the reason why my sister Lynn had her eyes on him. I returned my gaze to him, there was something about this face, I had seen him before. I chewed on my lower lips as I tried to remember and when I finally did my chest clenched. It was him, the man who had almost killed me a few days ago.

Margaret

A month back I was coming back home after running an errand when his car almost killed me. He almost ran me over and when he came out, he asked if I was doing ok and offered to take me to the hospital if I wasn't. Though he was nice, I was super pissed and gave him an earful, hopefully, he does not use that against me. I swallowed the lump that seemed to have formed in my throat as I stared at him.

He turned to the man who he had come with and collected a file from him.

"Can we go on now?" He spoke with a husky voice.

"Yes, Don." My father answered coming toward me, when he got to me he smiled and then kissed my hair.

"Come on Princess, it's time to finalise the alliance." He added smiling at me one more time. I huffed under my breath, I hated this drama there were acting. All my life as a grown-up, this was the first time my Dad kissed my hair, and even though I had longed to receive their love, I hated that right now.

The Don walked to the couch and sat on it, before keeping the file in his hand on the table. The man he had come with sat on the other couch which was next to him.

"Come on, it's time to sign the deal." My mom muttered striding toward me.

This was what it was a deal, maybe a contract I might never be free from. Even though the first time I had met him he was nice, I still feared him. For all, I know he could be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

When mom got to me, she pulled me in a hug and whispered in my ears. "Go sign the contract, and do not act stupid, you should be grateful to your Dad and me for giving you out to a man like Vladiv." she pulled away and a faux smile came across her face. She put her hand around my lower back and pushed me forward.

As I sauntered to the couch where the Don was seated, I could feel my legs shaking, finally, I got to him. His rover blue eyes pierced my brown eyes and it sent shivers down my spines, this man had an intimidating look and a scary persona.

I sat on the floor, I couldn't take the chance of sitting beside him. He gazed at me his face expressionless, and then he took a pen from his jacket and signed on one of the papers which were in the file. After he was done, he swivelled the file towards me and I knew he expected me to do the same.

I picked the pen which was on the paper and drew out my signature, as I did my hands were shaky. When I was done signing it, the realisation hit me, I was no longer Margaret Callaway, I was now Margaret Vladivostok Kostya and right now I didn't know what to feel.

The other man took the file after I was done signing, he took the paper we had just signed and put it into the briefcase he had come with before walking to my Dad with the other papers. My Dad signed on them, as he did his face full of smiles and desperation. He must be so happy that he got what he wanted.

The Don stood up and I guess it was time to go already, I got up as well.

"We have to go now." He spoke. My parents nodded. I looked around and then I noticed that Lynn was absent, I was so caught up with everything happening that I didn't pay attention to that.

"I have to go get my luggage," I let out and was about to leave when his deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

"You are not allowed to take any of that, you can only take your phone. Everything you need, I'll provide you with them, you are my wife now, my responsibility." He said. I'm not allowed to take anything except my phone, how can he be so cruel? I looked at my parents expecting them to say something but the look on their faces said they were fine with that.

"That's so nice of you Mr Vladivostok," my mom smiled before returning her gaze to me.

"Make sure you take care of your husband and dress in a way that suits your new status. Be obedient and do not throw tantrums, he would not want that." She said as she scowled at me like I was wearing the worst clothes ever. She was insulting me but right now I didn't care! I was glad that finally, I was going to be free from their unfair treatments, but considering the person I was going to be with henceforth, I would have chosen to endure whatever they did to me.

I peeked at the Don and he had tobacco in his hand, which I concluded he got out of his jacket. He grabbed a lighter from his jacket which he used to light up the tobacco, after which he brought it to his mouth inhaling and exhaling the fumes. I hated the smell of tobacco, I covered my nose with my hand. My Dad did smoke a lot, and Mom and Dad did too but this man did it like a pro. I was the only one in the family who wasn't a fan of smoking, even though mom and Lynn had tried to get me to smoke, I turned them down and they would always say I was unfit to be of mafia blood.

The Don walked to where my father was," you are officially a member of blue Scorpion, you'll receive a package telling you all you have to do," he uttered and my father grinned widely as he bobbed his head.

"Thank you, Don." My father appreciated, the man said nothing rather he fixed his gaze on me.

"Let's go, Maggie." I nodded like a little child as I lagged behind him. The other man he came with walked behind us. He stopped and turned to me," You first," he said putting his hands in front of him. I stepped in front understanding what he meant. In no time we were already outside the house, the place was getting dark as the sun had set. I didn't see any of my parents, I had thought that they were at least going to see me off but if guess that didn't matter to them.

The Don turned to the man as they spoke some words which I couldn't understand, they were speaking in Russian, I knew that because Russians resided in the city amongst us, and I had heard the language quite a few times. There were two cars, black and silver coloured which were parked in front of us after they were done the man got in the silver-coloured car and drove away. The Don clicked a remote, and the front doors of the black Roll Royce Phantom opened.

"Get in," he beckoned and I got into the other seat which wasn't the driver's seat.

After we got Into the car, he fastened his seatbelt and asked me to do the same, at least he cared about his life. Most of the members of mafia gangs paid little or no attention to stuff like that, I knew because my Dad and his friends would never put on their seatbelts. Soon he started the car and I regretted concluding early, he drove at a high speed like someone who had to save the life of a loved one, it went on and we were far from the house. Suddenly he halted, I looked behind and comprehended why he had done that, a car was trailing us. I heard loud gunshots which made my stomach churn and my heart rate accelerate.

"Fuck!" He cursed as he slammed his hand on the starring, he smirked. He put his hand inside his jacket and brought out a pistol.

The people who were in the car behind us had alighted and come in front of us, they wore black clothes and were five in number.

The Don must have noticed my anxiety as he turned to me," Stay calm, don't get out of the car, I'll be right back." He muttered squeezing my palm lightly before getting out of the car.

He cocked the gun and then pulled the trigger, he did that twice and two of the men fell to the ground. Two others who were behind him rushed towards him, kicking him and he fell to his knees. The other one who was in front of him cocked his gun and pulled the trigger at him, then I heard the gunshot.

The Don fell flat to the ground, Was he dead? Or was he pretending? The men turned to themselves and fist-bumped. I opened the car and got out, just then I saw the Don point his gun at the three men while he lay on the floor, but they were so engrossed in celebrating their failed defeat that they hadn't noticed until he shot at the one standing in the middle.

They turn to themselves, their eyes widened in shock, and the Don jumped to his feet. He kicked one of the men in the knees and punches the other in the face, they winced in pain, for the first time I see him smile, an evil dark smile. He cocks his gun and shoots at both of them, they fall dead to the ground.

He returned his gun to his jacket, as he walked toward the car. He stopped when he spotted me standing outside. His brows furrowed into a frown, " I told you not to get out, didn't I ?" He said in a stern but calm voice.

"I thought something happened to you," I managed to say.

"Get in the car," he mumbled.

As we got in, he turned to me and then returned his gaze to the road before starting the car.

"Your seatbelt," was the last thing he said to me throughout the drive.

Soon we got to an enormous gate, the gate opened and he drove in, I concluded it to be his since he had stopped right in front of it. He got down and I did the same, I was fascinated by the beauty of the mansion. Each corner of the wall was beautifully carved, and the designs were fabulous. With the combination of sky blue and spotless white paint, it was looking like a palace from a fairyland, greeneries around the mansion added more glamour to it.

When we got into the house, two ladies who were dressed in black dresses and had a white apron tied appeared before us. One of them had black hair and green eyes while the other had brown hair just like mine and hazel eyes.

"Greetings boss," they bowed.

He didn't answer, he just walked away and I trailed behind him.

He stopped when he got to the front of a gold door, he peeked at me before he began to talk. "This is your room, if you need anything, you can talk to Leila and Kim, the ladies we just met downstairs."

I nodded, he walked to the door which was opposite the one I was standing in front of and entered into the room, I gasped as the realisation hit me, his room was facing mine! Though I was glad we weren't going to share the same room, it still bothered me. I opened the door to my room and walked In, a wow escaped my lips as I stared at the sight in front of me, the room was magnificent, there was a king-size bed, the pillowed bed propped against the wall, on the opposite end of the room. One wall was painted and the other white, bright coloured lamps tingling and hanging from the ceiling.

Slightly to the left, there was a dressing mirror, on the desk of it were several beauty products and in front of it was a chair.

By the right side was the wardrobe. I walked towards the wardrobe and it was filled with clothes, lots of clothes and they looked really expensive. I presumed they were new since their tags were still intact. I picked a gown, my eyes caught the price and my jaw dropped. It cost a whopping amount just for this. I rarely wore designers, I wasn't really a fan. I preferred simple clothes. On the other side of the wardrobe underwear was neatly arranged, panties and bras. I couldn't help but think about who must have done the arrangement.

I walked back to the living room, and I saw the ladies I had seen earlier.

"Hello, I'm Margaret " I introduced myself.

"We know, Don's wife. How may we help you?" The one with black hair responded rudely as she asked me. The other one who had brown hair looked at her and she earned a glare from her.

"Sorry about that, I'm Leila and she is Kim." The one with brown hair said and smiled, a smile that reached her eyes.

"It's fine," I said returning the smile, Kim glared at me, hatred apparent in them. Just a few minutes of being here and it seems like I've gotten myself an enemy.

"Please can I get a glass of water?" I asked and Leila nodded, soon she returned with the water and handed it over to me.

I collected it from her," thank you, " I muttered and she smiled.

"Would you need anything else?" She asked and I shook my head.

"Thank you," I appreciated once again and she smiled.

"It's a pleasure to serve you, ma'am." Hearing the word ma'am did make me feel uncomfortable, they were about my age, I didn't see the need to be so formal.

"You can call me Margaret," I said to Leila, her eyebrows lowered and she wiggled her head in disagreement.

"The boss wouldn't like that," she uttered. I didn't say a word since I didn't even know what to say, I just nodded and waddled back to my room. I lay on the bed and it felt comfortable, my bed at the house was big but this one was twice the size.

I took my phone out of my pocket and dialled Zeus, we needed to talk. It rang but he didn't pick up. I dialled him again just then a knock came on my door. I wobbled to the door and opened it, there he was Vlad! He was shirtless, water dripped down his chest to his firm abs, he must have had his bath seeing how his hair was wet. His body was like nothing I had ever seen before, chiselled, and bronze, like a greek god. A web of dark tattoos snaked over the bicep of his left arm.

"Maggie," he called huskily, his eyes boring into mine. I let out the breath I hadn't realised I was holding, I looked away embarrassed. He had caught me checking him out!

"It's time for dinner, come downstairs." He said and swerved to leave, his back faced me my eyes got a peek of a tattoo, it was the drawing of a scorpion and it was blue. I figures out it was a symbol of his mafia since it was The Blue scorpion. He stopped and veered around to face me.

"Everything you'll need has been made available, and if they do not suit you, make sure to inform me." He uttered. My phone started to ring, I raised it to my face to see who was calling, it was Zeus! He stared at me with intensity, a look I couldn't decipher before striding away.

A wave of worry washed through me, what if he found out about Zeus? So far he was being nice but maybe then he wouldn't be, my stomach churned at the thought of it. I inhaled and exhaled slowly, I walked to the bed, lifted one of the pillows and then kept my phone underneath it. I wasn't going to take it downstairs, what if Zeus ends up calling during dinner?

I got out of my room and headed downstairs, I peeked around trying to find where the dining was since the mansion was a really big one when a lady walked toward me, " I will show you the way to the dining the boss sent me to you." She uttered, and I nodded trailing behind her.

When we got to a room, she stopped and asked me to go in.

I entered the room, it was exquisite. The table was beautifully set, it was covered with white table cloths. The lights were dimmed low.

"Greetings ma'am," a voice said, I veered around to see who it was. It was a man who was dressed in waiter clothes.

"Hello," I greeted with a smile which he returned. He made to pull out a chair for me but I stopped him.

"It's fine, I can do that myself," I told him but he didn't oblige, rather he pulled the chair out and beckoned me to sit. I heard footsteps and I didn't need anyone to tell me whose they were, It was him, the Don. I glanced at him, now he was wearing a white long sleeve, the sleeves were folded to the elbow and the first three buttons undone showing his well-defined smooth chest.

He walked over to other side of the table, and pulled out a chair sitting in front of me. The man who had introduced himself to me as a waiter went out almost immediately and returned with five people. They had a trolley of trays, and three more entered as they began to set up the table. How many workers did this man have? They brought in so many dishes like a feast was going on, they dished out the food after asking me what I wanted. I opted for a Quinoa turkey and broccoli, while the Don chose to have fajitas and baked beans.

I started to eat, and could feel his eyes on me as I ate, I lifted my head, and my brown eyes met his rover blue ones. I looked away quickly gazing downward trying to focus on my food but I couldn't as I saw two men walk in, the one in front had the side of his face bruised and bloody, and the one at his back kept pushing him till they got to the Don.

The Don shifted his gaze to them, he glared at the injured one" How dare you, Luke! You tried to betray me and you were so stupid to believe that I wouldn't find out!" He snarled, his eyes burning with rage. The man went to his knees," I'm sorry, Don. I was forced to do it, please forgive me." He pleaded.

The Don snickered, he punched the man in his face. "You of all people should know that I do not forgive traitors. They only get to rot in hell."

"Please, I've been faithful to you for years. I promise not to let this happen again." The man begged, blood dripping from his nose as a result of the punch.

"No way, past doesn't matter, Luke. You should have known better I set a trap for you and you went right into it, so you deserve whatever comes after it. Say hello to the devil for me," the don smirked, before I knew it he had a gun in his hand, he cocked it, pulled the trigger and shot the man thrice. I gasped, just like that the man was dead. That was the dangerous thing about getting involved with the Mafia, there was no forgiveness and death was always the reward of a betrayal.

"Get rid of his body, Matt." The Don said to the other man and he nodded.

The Don just went back to eating his food after killing that man as if nothing had happened.

"Won't you eat your food?" He asked and I looked up. I couldn't eat, I had lost my appetite.

"I'm full," I lied.

He laughed," Is it because of what just happened?" He asked and I could feel the mockery in his voice.

" You better get used to it because you will see even more." He added gazing at me.

I would see even more untill was my turn, my breath accelerated and my muscles tensed at the thought of it, was this the same way I was going to die? I was like a sheep amongst the company of lions, and I didn't know how long it was going to take before l became prey.

"And if you are worried about me touching you or getting involved with you then you don't have to be, I will never touch a woman against her will, and I also have no interest in you." He mumbled.

At least there was something to be happy about, I was grateful at least he didn't see me as a sex slave like other members of the Mafia saw women. But there was something that I couldn't help but think about, he wasn't interested in me, why then did he choose to marry me? Why?