Dangerous Affair (A Mafia Forbidden Romance)

BLAIR

If I have to stick my hand out to wave

the gasoline attendant one more time, I might just get down, smack him on his head and show him never to mess with me ever again. I'm twenty years old on a run and I don't have much time for this nonsense waste of time. I honk impatiently until I see a frown crease his brows. I can't believe he's mad right now. I should be the mad one.

Finally, after what feels like centuries, he walks up to me, the gas pipe in his hand. Normally, I would come down and do it myself, but there are a lot of surveillance cameras around. Ones that I can be tracked with and that's the last thing I want.

I'm not a convict running from the law. Hell no! I've never done one wrong thing my entire life. I've always been a perfect little princess for my daddy, while he kept feeding me with stories of how one day, I'll be married to a powerful man and I'll leave happily ever after. Well, this is my happily ever after. Running away from him. Because all my life, I feel like I've been held down. In Bondage. In chains.

The gas man stares into my car, a curious look on his face. Granted, I look younger than the normal age limit for driving a car, especially through this part of town. St Petersburg, palmetto. It's also past ten at night.

"What you looking at dork-face?" I snare at him and he gasps in surprise at my harsh words. I'm not apologizing for that. Never in hell.

"How may I help you?" His voice is strained and suspicious.

"What do you think? Fill my tank and I'll be on my way"

"We're you headed, girl?" He asked me and my nose flare with anger. Girl? I'm fucking twenty and have never been treated as an adult all my life. I thought things would change when I became eighteen but it only got worst. Daddy only wanted to protect me, and that meant four bodyguards around me per day.

"First thing first. You have no right to ask me an absurd question like that. As it's none of your concern, two, I'm not a girl, I'm twenty..." Why did I just tell this man my age? "Also, don't I have the right to pump my car?"

"Y-Yes you do ma'am" he strutters and I smirk.

"Good. Now fill up my tank you fucker" I say and even I was shocked at my words. I've never spoken this violently before in my life. And I've never cursed out, except in my head.

The man hurried to do the task while I glance at the name tag on his weird station uniform of grey and white. "Speed it up, Troy," I say and he lets out a gruff sound.

When he's done pumping, I stare into the convenience store, my eyes flickering over two men that just got out, cigarettes in their hands, a wild look in their eyes. They had no shopping bag in their hand, and I couldn't understand why they would be smoking in a gas station, unless, they want to blow the place up.

I stare at Troy who's looking at me to tell me that he's done. "You need to leave here right now," I say with a panicked look and he eyes me warily.

"I'm on duty. And why would I leave?"

I stare back at those two men again, my eyes narrowing. They're no longer smiling, but have their eyes fixed on me. I lock eyes with one, and he popped a grin. Then my eyes trail down to his hand that had a crested tattoo of a spear. Russians! MAFIA'S!

"Get the fuck out of here now!" I yell at Troy but he turned away from me, an irritated look on his face. I huff, pulling out of the station. I pity for Troy if he doesn't get out of there, he doesn't sight those men on time. My heart is doing a pound and that's when I hear a BOOM!

My car slides to the side of the road, and I let out a squeal at the sudden intrusion. When I'm safe, away from the station, and parked by the road, I look behind me at the station, now erupted in flames. Did Troy get out? He was an annoying man to me, but I wouldn't wish any human on this earth death.

And those Russian men! Where were they? Did they get out? Why would they bomb an empty convenience store? And What were they even doing here in Florida?

...

My car is set on the road again, and I'm driving off into a lone road, it's like I'm going out of Florida because I can no longer spot any more buildings, skyscrapers, or resorts by the beach. Just a clean, slate road.

I've been driving for hours, not knowing where I'm going when my car bumped, driving into a rough edge. Shit did I hit something?

I'm in the middle of nowhere and afraid to step out of the confines of my car, but if I don't? I'll be stuck on this lonely road till morning, that is if I don't get kidnapped. So after so much thinking, I pushed my door opened and jumped out from my Jeep to check what I got hit.

It's an old, rusty iron and it looks like a railroad because there are lots of tracks. If this is railway lines, there must be a station nearby. But then again, they are old and haven't been used in years. Damn it!

My whole plan of running away from home was slowly coming to an abrupt end. I didn't even have a plan in the first place. If I did, I wouldn't be out here, in the middle of nowhere, stuck, broke, and alone. I shiver into the night air as it hit my skin. My skin suddenly felt damp and that's when I realized it was drizzling. Could this day get any worst!

From afar, I see a car flashlight coming my way and I consider hiding. It could be my father's men searching for me. Or it could be the police or a normal citizen that could help me. I stand by the side of the road, flashing my hand, hoping the car stops.

Slowly, it pulls to the side of the road and I sigh in relief. The doors opened and a young man came out. I couldn't see his face yet until he stepped in front of the light and I stop dead in my track.

Holy shit! He's handsome. Or am I dreaming this? He has the most perfect jaw- square. His eyes are grey and a small smile tugging his bottom lip. I also notice the way he looks super casual with dark jeans and a grey t-shirt that doesn't hold his body quite well, but it still looks good on him.

"How can I help you?" He asked and then pause, staring at my car. "It broke down?"

"Eh- not exactly. I kind of bumped into something. An old rail line"

His eyes size me, from my childish full bang to my brown boot"What's a pretty girl like you doing out here, this late and alone?" He asked, a small smile on his lips that makes my cheek warm instantly. Does he think I'm pretty?

I've been told that a lot, but it meant like something coming from this stranger.

"I um..." I scratched behind my neck.

"Runaway?" He asked and I stare at him.

"Yes"

He chuckled. "You didn't come out equipped then. You don't have a camp bag, I'm guessing no extra clothes, no phone, no money with you, food item or a card on you"

Wow...he kind of knows my state right now.

"Yeah...it was unplanned," I say.

He nods in understanding as he takes out his phone. I hear he speaks in Italian a little bit with whoever he's on the other line with before sticking his phone back in his pocket and smiling at me.

"I called a tow-truck. They'll get your car out of here in no time. In the meantime, come with me and I take you to a phone booth so you can call whoever"

"Thanks" I sigh under my breath. I've been speechless since I saw him. He takes my hand, leading me to the car, opened the passenger seat for me, and tucked me in before rounding the car and coming into the driver seat.

"Don't we need to wait for the tow-truck First?" I ask him.

"No need. The guy is my friend and he'd know exactly what to do"

"Ok," I put my seat belt on as he starts his car. My hands entwine each other nervously. I don't even know this guy but I hopped into his car like a child. What if he's a serial killer. What if he's a Russian?! No way? He spoke Italian and he doesn't look, Russian.

"Where are you from?" He breaks the silence in the car. We were on the road and heading into town.

"Um... around," I say, stuffing a loose hair behind my ear.

"O...k. I'll take that as an answer," he said. I watch the way his hands grip the steering wheel nice and tight.

"Thank you for helping me" I blurt.

"No worries"

We're silent the entire drive and sometimes, I felt like he was stealing glances at me but I'm not certain. He takes me to a nearby store in Tampa and I make a quick phone call to my house.

"So...they coming for you?" He asked when I put the phone down and I nod with a small smile.

He stared down at my hands tight together and a smile broke out on his lips. I must be radiating nervousness. Also, I'm tired as hell. I've been on the road for hours and it's almost five am in morning. My dad would be pissed at me but I don't think I care anymore.

"Um...not exactly. I'm too tired to even eat" I sigh.

"I get"

I turn to him. "What about you? From around here?"

He stuck his hands in his pocket, shrugging. "I recently got here"

"Florida?" I ask and he nods. "Where are you from exactly?" I ask and he glared at me, wondering why I'm asking so many questions. It's cool if he doesn't want to tell me. After all, I'm a stranger and I don't know his business. "It's ok" I sigh.

"I'm from Italy" he voiced out. "I recently got a job as a bodyguard" he adds.

Huh. "That's cool"

"Yeah. I start tomorrow" he said but I still see his eyes lingering on me for a while before he looks away. It's almost like there was something he wanted to tell me. I notice tattoos on his fingers. Little cross signs. And it looks darn sexy on him. "I'm Ross by the way"

"Blair," I say with a pout and he smiles down at me, he got a dimple on both cheeks and a devilish smile to accompany it.

A black Mercedes pulled by the store and I move away from the wall as that was my cue.

Two men stepped out of the car and rushed toward us, they don't come for me but go for Ross, pinning him against the wall roughly.

"Griff! Hunt! Stop!" I call to both my dad's favorite bodyguards.

"What the fuck!" Ross gaped when he was pinned and I chuckled.

"Did he harm you, little miss?" Griff asked and I shake my head.

"He saved me. Now, let him go" I huff in irritation.

They let go of Ross and he eyed both of them warily before his gaze lands on me. "Sure you'll be alright?" He asked me.

"Yes," I say with a nod. I walk to him and drop a slight kiss on his cheek. Brave on my part, since I just met him and he's staring at me in surprise. "Good-bye Ross"

I walk away with Griff and Hunt behind me before I slide into the car. I stare out the window, at Ross who's still staring at the car. I wave even though he couldn't see me and for a second, I think he walks toward the car but we zoom off.

As I step into the Manor, I feel my dad's presence all over the house. The one where he's mad at me for running away like that and he's possessed to assign eleven bodyguards with me every second of the day for the rest of my life.

Charlotte, the housekeeper and a good friend of mine, walks to me, a look of worry on her face. Aside from being a friend and a companion when I'm bored, Charlotte is like a mom to me. Always has been since I was nine. My mom died and my dad was devasted. He never got married again but he understood the need for me to have a mother figure around. Charlotte was perfect.

"Oh, my blessed God!" She gasped, palming my face. "Where have you been? You scared the living daylight out of me, child" she says with worry and I smile.

"I'm so sorry, Char" I apologize before hugging her. "I'm sorry," I repeat because I know worry had been eating her out. We break our embrace when I noticed my father standing at the top of the stairs, a scowl on his face. Here we go.

Charlotte excuses herself after she kissed me on my cheek. Father walks down the stairs slowly, taking his time and successfully intimidating me like he's done his whole life. Like always, he's dressed in a suit, but with no tie. He's always too dressed since I was born and I haven't seen my dad in casual wear around the house if it's not going to bed.

I get why. A man like him with his status has to look presentable at all times, ready to strike and run as he'd always told me. He puts it like this. Many mafia lords have lost their lives because they slacked. Weren't prepared for the worst, only settled for the better. Yes! My dad is a Mafia. I'm the daughter of a Mafia lord and a princess to his empire. I won't say I enjoy my everyday life of being born into bondage like this but there's nothing I can do.

Soon, I'll be under another Mafia Lord but as my husband. It has me wondering how my mom coped with my dad. I'm not sure how much of anything I can take. I can't even stand the sight of blood. My dad knows that, and he tries his best to keep me away from violence as much as he can. Something tells me, he wishes I couldn't have been born under such life. But I know he can't protect me forever.

When he's at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes soften and he takes his hands away from his pocket.

"My Princess" he exhales and I go into his arms hugging him tightly. "You scared me, little one" his hands run down my long hair, calmly, comforting. "You had me worried"

"I'm sorry dad. I thought I could handle myself on my own" I half sob into his expensive Armani suit.

"My sweet girl" he hugs me tight. "I wish you could. But you know you can't" he says and I break into a full sob.

"I want to, dad. I want to" I plead with bulgy eyes and he palms my face.

"Even if you prove you can stay on your own. You can't hide from this world, our world. Others would find you because they know you're my breaking point." He cups my chin. "You my sweet girl is my weak-point and that's why I must keep you safe. Away, and safe" he adds and I lower my head, staring at the ground.

Is this all my life will ever be?

"And that's why, I've assigned your bodyguard" he announces with glee, and my eyes dull. Great! Now he's tag dogs wasn't enough. He got a personal guard.

"Gee, thanks dad" I sigh before shutting my eyes. "I'm fucking twenty!"

"Language" he reprimands gently and I scoff. It's not like he doesn't swear like a sailor. I've heard him talk to his guards, guest, and other members of the clan and even when he's angry.

"Dad..."

"I'm only watching out for you my sweet" father looms over me, his expression becoming serious. "For once, obey me, child"

"I've always obeyed you!" I snap and he nods.

"I know. But one more time. Please"

I stare at my wrist, before picking at my fingers. "Yes"

"Good. Now go to your room. Charlotte would get you an early breakfast since you missed lunch last night. Get lots of rest because the ball is tonight" dad reminds me. Probably wondering what ball? It's a ball dad promised to throw me when I turned twenty. You know, liberating me from my teen years.

"Yes, father" I walk away from him, ascending the stairs and not looking back to stare at him once.



ROSS POV

FUCK! Her scent is still lingering around me from the kiss she planted on my cheek. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm swooning. A Mafia guy like me suddenly loving the sweet smell of flowers and chocolate. Her hair also had the smell of smoke but it only made it more addicting.

Maybe it wasn't just her scent. Maybe it was all of her. I told her where I was from and what I'm doing in Florida. I didn't even know her but I already opened a little bit of myself to her. I've always been an insecure guy with trust issues but she stood between that and me.

Staring around me to see if anyone was thinking I'm a pervert standing at the side of the road and trying not to miss the scent of a woman. I cross the road back to my car and when I'm safe in its confine, I let out a grunt. Get your head straight. What are you here for?

To get revenge on Belucci for killing my brother. Take everything he loves and smash it to the ground, grind it into powder, and let the wind take it away. How did my innocent elder brother get in touch with a dangerous man like Belucci? Only one of the fiercest mafia men in the world. They were running a weapon trade together. My brother, Eros was not just a partner with Belucci and his trade, but a leader of his own. He had a little clan he ran. I was his underboss. Second in command. As the only Family, I ever knew and had, I stuck to his side supporting him. I wasn't always around but I knew if he needed me, I was there.

But when there was one little slip up in the trade conversion, Belucci killed my brother and blamed his loss on him, and now, I've come to return the favor. Am I risking everything? I don't fucking care. Besides the Clan, I have nothing to lose now. It used to be Eros but nothing now. Even if I die, The Metal Clan would still strive and grow.

My engine roar to life. Head on, Ross! I speed away from the roadside heading into Town.

I had a friend of Eros get me in touch with Belucci. Anything to be close to him. Luckily for me, I got a bodyguard because now, I'll have enough time to kill him even with my bare hands.

...

"Have you been to the Manor?" Vincent, one of my brother's trusted friends and a member of his inner circle, asked me.

I take a swig of my beer before sitting down on my new leather couch, my head swooning with so many thoughts.

"No, but soon. I'm heading there later tonight. It seems he has a ball and I'm to attend. Being his bodyguard and all" I down the remaining of my drink before placing the cup on the middle console.

"That's good then. It's going to be crowded with people" Vincent tells me and I smile mischievously.

"I'm not going to kill him right away. That'll be too good of a death." I scoff. "How about watching everything he loves being taken away from him, his name being buried before I run a bullet through his head" I replay everything I have in my head to Vincent who was silent the whole time.

"Isn't that too much?"

"No, it isn't. He took Eros away from me. That Bastard doesn't know what's coming for him" I grit between my teeth.

"Just be careful, Ross. The gang needs you" He said with a strict tone and I know that's his way of showing care.

"I will be. Trust me"

"I do. And don't do Anything stupid!"

"I won't. I've got this figured out" I say and I hear his satisfied gruff on the other line before I hang up. I throw my leg away from the coffee table and get up, strolling to my room. My Condo is spacious and well furnished and I appreciate that.

Taking my pistol out of my pant pocket, I keep it on my bedside before undressing and walking to the shower. I let the steam, warm me up and the hardness of the water from the faucet beat down on my skin harshly. From today, I start carrying out my mission and nothing will stand in my way. And No-one.



BLAIR POV

Charlotte tried to convince me that I look lovely in my red, dress that flowed to the ground but had a slit high up to my thighs, held my curves, showed a little bit of cleavage, and was also slippery against my skin like silk.

"Thank you" I smile warmly at her. Honestly, I don't feel up to anything tonight. I wish I could just stay in my bed all night, reading some Rom-Coms, having soda, and dreaming of what my life would be like in the ordinary.

"Seriously Blair. You look divine. All the men at the ball would trip for you" she cheered and I chuckled at her choice of word. Trip? I don't just hope they trip. I hope they trip and break an ankle or neck so none of them have the balls to ask my father for my hand in marriage. I wish I could go dressed in a normal gown with fluffy edges and had little rabbits all over it but father handpicked this gown himself, and rabbits are out of the theme. I'm twenty now.

"Let's head down now. I bet the party is on and your father is searching for you" Charlotte reminds me.

I nod and stare at myself once more in the mirror. I do look older with all the make-up and my hair bunched up in a haughty bun. And like an obedient girl, I follow Charlotte out of my bedroom and into the long passage of the east wing.

With each step I took, my head kept twirling and my heart pounding at what I would see down there. I don't know what to expect. I've never attended a ball, regular party, or even a meeting. My dad had always been protective of me. Not everyone even knows he had a daughter, and if they knew, they don't know my face.

This is my first stepping into the Mafia world. I would meet so many new people with different mindsets and I will just be ready to learn whatever sick game the universe has to offer.

Just as we're about to take the stairs down, Griff, one of my dad's bodyguards, greeted us in the hallway. He always had a grim look to him.

"I'm to escort the little miss to the library," he said casually to Charlotte who quickly agreed, not ready to defy my father.

I kiss Charlotte's cheek and follow Griff until we stop in front of the Library. Does he want me to meet someone? Has he already found a husband for me? My stomach suddenly feels tight and like I should hurl my entire lunch out. I stare at Griff who's been glancing at all my face changes the whole time.

"You ok miss?" He asked and I nod.

"Very well then" Griff grunts before opening the huge mahogany door and I step into the sweet smell of old books but cringed when the smell of booze hit my nose trill. I see daddy standing behind his desk and another man in front of the desk. His head bent but when he looks up, I feel my body tremble at that familiar new face. Ross?

ROSS POV

Fuck! She's staring at me as if she's going to say something to her dad. Even now I cannot believe she's here. The girl who rendered me speechless on the road earlier this morning left her lingering scent and a kiss on my cheek. I blink rapidly forcing my brain to understand that she's Belucci's daughter and I cannot get involved. Seeing her now just reminds me of how I can only dream of getting her and getting her in the sense of taking her to my bed. It was all I thought of when I met her.

Her pouty red lips, her flushed cheek, and her brown eyes that are staring at me now send a creeping feeling down my spine. This isn't good. I'll have to take my dick somewhere else. I'm already trying as it is not to murder Belucci in his library. I only arrived and was asked to meet him here. My jaw was clenched and my hands fisted but I knew I couldn't do anything to him at least not yet.

"We..." She starts to say and I cut her off.

"I assume that party is already started sir" I mumbled and Belucci's eyes widen before he claps his hand and strides to his daughter.

"I must go down immediately dear and you are too. But first I want you to meet someone. Ross Leonardo" Belucci says my fake surname easily.

Her lips twitch upward and I pray inwardly that she doesn't say we've met.

"Oh..." Her pouty lips form an O shape and I imagine it wrapped around my dick. Shit! "Nice to meet you, Mr Leonardo"

"Call me Ross, Miss. I'm yours to command" I say with a slight smile and I see her cheeks redden before she turns to her father who wraps his arms around her waist.

"You are to watch over her every single second of the night." He warns me and I nod, playing my card cool. For now, I'm an obedient guard dog getting to know my owners and surroundings, until I pounce on them and he knows I don't belong. Never did.

"Yes sir"

"Even to the bathroom father? Give him a break" Blair says and I eye her carefully.

"Not taking a chance sweet pea. You don't know who will be down there. Now come with me." Belucci says to Blair before pursuing. "And no potty breaks too" he warns, making her giggle.

When we're halfway down the stairs, Blair slows down, allowing her father to work ahead of us until he's caught up in a conversation with someone down the stairs. Blair seems to be amused by all these. The setting, the number of people, and even the lighting and decor. Hasn't she been to one of her dad's parties before?

I stand behind her, watching the way her neck looks delicious, and the curve of the gown from behind, cut low to her waist, flaunting her ass. And then there's a slit on the side of the dress, exposing her milky thighs. What I'll give to wrap those thighs round my waist.

She turns abruptly and I catch her gaze. We stare at each other long and hard before she walks toward me, taking my hand and pulling me to a corner of the passage that's dipped and cornered away from the hallway.

It's a close space and I'm up against her real close. My lips break apart ready to say something when she speaks.

"What are you doing here?" She asked and I raise a brow in amusement.

"Working" I reply shortly and she lowers her head, shaking it like she's mentally slapping herself.

"Sorry. Of course, you are, I didn't think that through. " She bites her bottom lip and I stick my hands in my pants pocket so I'm forced to not take her lip from between her teeth.

"We should go down," I say and start walking away but she pulls at my arm, I turn around to stare at her.

"Sorry" she apologizes with wide eyes and I'm stunned. She's a shy little thing that says sorry a lot. But behind those eyes I see mischievousness. One who is ready to run away from the world to prove something or whatever thing she might be thinking or was thinking. I know she's not as innocent as she let on.

"I'm just nervous. I've never been to a party before" she confesses and I relax my tensed shoulder.

"It's not that bad," I tell her and she smiles.

"You've been to a ball before? This kind?"

I used to attend a lot of it with my brother. "Yes," I say.

She sighs, folding her arms. "It's good to know you have. At least you'll have my back the entire night, also I'm more relaxed because I know you" she adds, and my teeth clench.

"No, you don't know me" I state coldly before walking out of the corner and waiting for her to step out too. She does, but timidly, her eyes on my now cold demeanor. I'm not about to tell this girl how I hate her father and how I've vowed to make him pay for my brother's death. She doesn't know me at all. It was a mistake she thought she did.

She walks past me after a long stare and head down into the party. I follow behind her, taking every step she takes with her. She may be right about one thing. Tonight, I've got her back.