Mr. Mafia's Perfect Bride

Rylan's POV

'May your blood paint winter snow. Merry Christmas, Don.'

I could feel the hint of ridicule in the tone as I read the cryptic text on my phone, getting mixed reactions.

First, this was sent to my private number, which meant that danger was imminent.

"Rylan, are you okay?"

Thane's voice took me off my phone.

Slipping it back into my pocket so that he wouldn't get a clue about what seemed to bother me, I flashed a fake smile at him.

"What?"

"We have the traitor."

He tilted down and whispered.

"Bring him here."

My cold voice echoed in the night sky.

"Si."

He nodded and vanished.

We were in a car park beside the casino. The deemed headlamps of my car were almost the only source of light.

Thane returned with the company of two guards, as they dragged a man with tape over his lips. They pressed down on his shoulders, causing him to kneel before me.

"Hmm."

He murmured inaudibly and rubbed his hands in a desperate plea. Terror gripped him like a vice.

"You know what happens when you steal from me."

A guard peeled the tape off his lips and he cried in agonizing pain.

"Don. I'm sor-"

He choked on his words, getting a glimpse of my stern face. The heck, I hate those words.

"My babies."

The guards left to bring them to me, while Thane remained by my side.

"They're complete, Don."

One of them informed me after counting the bags of coke in a crate. He opened a wrap for me. I took a pinch and tasted.

"Good."

Smack!

I bashed his face with my balled fist, having hefty gold rings on each knuckle.

"This is for messing with me."

He groaned, his lips busted, and his nose broken.

"Don-"

A bullet to his head left him with an open skull, causing a fine mix of his brains and blood to seep out of the broken bones.

Taking out a white handkerchief from the pocket of my pants, I brushed off the stains of blood on my knuckles and dumped it on his body where it formed a nasty heap.

"Clean it up."

Leaving Thane to fix the mess, I strolled down to 'De Russo's Casino'. My father handed it over to me once he retired.

Neo-blue light, well-erected bar with expensive liquors of limited editions, game area. It's exquisite, to say the least, built for the elites in New York.

The air reeked of stale cigarette smoke, expensive perfume, and desperation. It pulsed with the rhythmic din of clinking glasses, muted laughter, and the incessant beep of slot machines.

"Here."

A guard opened the case of my mint-scented cigar. I stuck the edge at the corner of my mouth and clamped down with my lips.

He flicked the lighter and lit the end of it.

"The VIPs, are they-"

My tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth when I caught sight of a petite red-haired by the bar, innocent, I must say. She didn't reek of wildness, like the ladies found in the casino.

"Don?"

He called out to me and stopped when he trailed my gaze, pinning it on the lady.

"Who's she?"

"A stray." He mumbled.

She had to be. This was no place for her kind.

"Don Russo!"

Mr. Vincente hailed from the poker room.

Carefree, his short frame was in a too-tight black garment that made his big stomach poke out.

He had bundles of clean bills stacked in one hand, and a thick glass of liquor and ice in the other.

"How's the night going?"

A creepy smirk creased my lips.

"About to whoop these jerks."

He chuckled, a dry laughter void of hope.

Stake millions and lose in a minute. That was his routine. It was a good thing he was stinkyly rich.

The dealers cared less, as they hunched over the tables and shuffled their cards with speed and stealth.

"When am I getting my goods?"

He adjusted closer to me even though every damn man in the room was diabolical.

"I'll text you the address for delivery."

He sniffed. "None of the bags should be tampered with."

On and on, he bluffed.

"And my ladies, just how I like them."

Slim. Blonde. Wild.

"Covered."

He grinned, too rotten for his age.

"I have a feeling that Santa has got plans this Christmas."

"Hmm." I just mumbled, preying on the red-haired petite at the bar.

"A tempting snack, huh?"

He scoffed, following past the thick cloud of smoke from my cigar, and landed his eyes on the lady.

"Every man here thinks so too."

Oddly, I felt a gut-wrenching blow in my chest, with my heart twisting against itself.

I can't tell if it's the irritation of this old man going beyond his limit, or that I want a taste of her too.

"I like her."

He slurped from his glass.

My fists clenched beside me, in the desperate need to jump on him.

"Your ladies, they'd be more than glad to have you."

Thane surfaced, strolling towards me. He knew the game like the back of his palm, and he was like a son to my father.

Getting my eye signal, he came to my rescue and kept Vicente engaged.

Free, I walked past the crew clustered on a roulette wheel, as they spun it, immersed in the game.

"You should leave."

She turned to look at me, her pair of deep blue eyes... too damn seductive.

Suddenly, she giggled and swept my features at a glance.

I let her have a second glance at my charm; tall, sexy, and firmly built in a bodycum shirt and tight pants.

"You're too cocky for your face."

I scoffed, my ego dashed in pieces.

"Tell a better lie."

Instead, she signaled the waitress for another shot. In front of her, she had about five, six, or even more.

"Fuck off, mister."

Clenched jaws, I walked closer, encroaching into her personal space.

A strong wave of her alluring perfume wafted into my nostrils, and my eyes closed on their own accord, with me taking deep breaths.

Her hair curled around my fingers, with her gasping for air as I screwed her brains out.

Damn it! I snapped out of my vivid imaginations.

She smelled of class and luxury. Definitely from the old money class.

"So you know, you're just as bland."

I smirked.

Anger flickered in her long stare. "You're just bitter and annoying."

She looked damn sexy with those cherry-bloom lips pouting.

Holy crap!

"And you should not be here."

"Why? You think I'm not as hot or wild for this place?"

She groaned. "You all are dead wrong?"

"Hmm."

Pushing closer, I leaned on the well-polished surface until my breath was warm on her skin.

"Wild enough?"

Standing upright, I sauntered past the club and outside the casino.

A shadow lingered, with messy curls. Her sweet smell returned.

"Be warned..."

She didn't let me finish when she hauled herself at me, smacking me against the body of my limo.

I can't tell if she was this desperate to prove a dare, or just too horny to think straight.

Right now, all that mattered was fucking her to repentance.

Slowly, she toyed with the strap of her shirt, and let it down, giving me a good peek of her breasts.

Taking down the second strap, her shirt came off, revealing her voluptuous boobs. She was bare, not with the tiniest fabric beneath.

I pulled her to myself and flipped her with ease, pressing her to the car, with her ass pushing against my hardness.

"What are you wearing beneath?" My tone was raspy.

She chuckled and pushed backward, teasing my cock between her butt crack, her high school girlie skirt parting with ease.

"Nothing."

Going wild with arousal, one hand clutched around her throat, keeping her as my prisoner.

The other wandered down her frame, grazing her breasts, as I took them in my hands, sizing the watermelons one at a time.

"So soft."

I loved the feel of them on my coarse palms.

Trailing down her belly button, I grabbed a handful of her skirt, and slipped in, teasing in between her thighs.

Sticky fluid dripped on my fingers.

Fuck!

"Ah!"

A loud moan escaped her lips when I thrust in a finger.

She threw her head backward and groaned in pain, causing my grip on her to loosen.

"You're a virgin?"

She swallowed, her throat bulbed. "Don't stop, please."

Her frail voice beckoned.

"I'll hurt you and..."

"Please, take me, sir."

Drunk with her order, I hastily guide her into the back seat of my car, more needy than she could imagine.

Like butter, she laid on the leather seat, spreading apart for my penetration.

My pants came down with ease, and I gently leveled on her, leaning casually on my elbows.

"Ah."

She moaned when I slipped in a finger, but this time, not so loud.

Teasing her soft pink cunt, my too-big-a-finger fucked her.

"Hmm." Her groan oddly consumed me.

"It will hurt a little."

I mumbled against her soft skin.

Damn it, it will hurt so bad.

Smearing saliva on my hand, I lubricated my cock, stroking the hard grid.

Gently, I pushed in, causing her to adjust beneath me.

"Oh, god."

She groaned, stilling a cry.

I've never been this gentle with a woman. Never been this scared that I'd hurt them.

She was too delicate... Too damn naive for my casino and the devils within.

"Ah."

Unable to bear the pain, she clutched her hands around my hard mass, with her fingers digging into my back.

My lips found out, taking her in bouts of hot kisses, and stealing her mind away from the pain as our tongues entwined.

Devouring her, I let my tongue graze every inch of her mouth, tasting the liquor on her.

Riding her in a slow and sensual rhythm, she drew up air in her lungs, feeling a mix of pain and pleasure.

"Damn."

She cried as the fucking intensified in seconds, driving us to a climax. She quivered beneath me, squirming hard as a snake, cumming around me.

Once my body stiffened, I instantly pulled out of her warmth, before shooting a truckload of sperm on her body.

For a minute, I paused to catch my breath, with my face buried in her messy curls and I inhaled the rich scent of her shampoo.

"Here."

I sat up, withdrew a stack of cash, and dumped it on her nude body.

"Fix yourself. I don't repeat."

Somehow, she found it humorous and started to laugh.

"This is a joke, right?"

Ignoring her, I pulled up my pants and zipped up.

"Leave. Now."

The look of disbelief in her innocent eyes stung me.

Facing sideways, I protected my sanity.

"You think I did this for money?"

"What now? Just one fuck and you want me?" I sighed and wriggled my nose. "Get a grip."

"You are a monster." Her breathing was labored. "A freaking monster!"

Tossing the cash at me, she nudged me aside and got down, hurriedly scrambling for her shirt.

"You all get over it."

"Go to hell and burn!"

With that, she ran off, and luckily, not inside the bar to those hungry lots. Else, I'd be forced to drag her out myself or spill their blood.

"Focus, damn it."

I slapped my jaw.

One minute, I'm Don Rylan, the next, I'm a freaking pussy.

Leaving Thane behind to handle things, I hit the road. More than ever, I need a bottle of liquor and a cold shower to think straight.

"You can't let her emotions crawl on you, Rylan."

The loud shot from a distance ripped through my thoughts.

Scrambling to grip my pistol, I lost my balance when they shot at my tires. Immediately, I marched the brakes.

It got out of control, colliding into the oncoming vehicle with the assassins, and screeching to a forced halt.

With each passing second, I slipped into oblivion, becoming enveloped with gross darkness.

*** *** ***

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The nonstop beeping of the vital signs machine pulled me into consciousness.

I flickered my eyelids lazily, getting a faint image of a man with a stern face, and angry eyes.

My father.

"Padre."

I tried to sit up, but paused, getting a strange sensation down my limbs.

"Don't try, son. You can't walk."

The room fell silent following his awful revelation.

Alessia's POV 

'No matter what you do, return home before 6, Alessia.'

Locking my screen, I tossed the phone to a side, trying not to look at it and reply my father's text in my head.

After he announced my marriage to a stranger, his old friend's son and heir to his empire, we had a quarrel and I had run off to the casino, where I met that rude and cocky head, after which I came straight to Ruby, my best friend's house to escape my reality,

"You don't want to get on your father's nerves."

Ruby spoke up. She walked to the opposite couch and lounged on it.

"Really? Whose side are you on?"

I sighed and looked away.

Slowly, she pushed to where I was sitting and rubbed my arm.

"Why not give him a try? He may turn out to be your prince charming."

"That douchebag? Never."

"Jeez, Alessia." She frowned. "You haven't even met him yet."

"In person." I pointed out. "I've spoken with the idiot on the phone, and yeah, he's an idiot."

Ruby laughed. "What did he do?"

"A lot of things. Gosh. I can't even start mentioning." I heaved a loud sigh. "He's rude and..."

She just kept laughing.

"Babe, you know your father means well, right?"

I scoffed. "Tell me something. Does meaning well entail selling me off to a total stranger? An arrogant one at that."

She kept mute and rolled her eyes, not saying a word. It was obvious that she wasn't totally in support of it.

"My point exactly." I said when she remained mute. "This is just transactional for him. For his selfish gain." I pointed it out a million times. "He may have succeeded in concealing me away from the world, choosing my school and career, but a husband..."

I shook my head in disapproval.

"Nah. That's above the line."

My words were as blunt as a knife.

"Come on, Alessia." She puffed. "This is the family business we're talking about."

"And I don't care." I cursed under my breath. "I've never wanted to be a part of his dirty cartel anyway."

There was a short pause between us.

"I think you're overreacting, babe."

Ruby picked up the argument.

"Get to meet with him, he might be a good guy..."

"Why is it so hard to see that I'm not interested?"

I slapped my palms together.

"They're all the same. Use you to scratch an itch one minute and dump you the next minute."

Knowing I'd talked too much, I pressed my lips together and just watched Ruby bat her lids at me.

You never told me you've dated any."

"Well... I... I read stuff." I stutter.

Trained and guarded all my life, there was no way in freaking hell that my father would let a man come six feet close to me.

I guess he was grooming me for his choice. If only he knew his naive daughter got knocked out at the casino.

Screw that... Threw herself at a stranger and gave him her virginity.

The image of three nights ago played in my head.

His piercing brown eyes and perfect features. He had these kissable small lips, rich brown hair, and high cheekbones...

A light blush painted my cheeks, followed by a mix of anger and hatred, too strong to ignore.

"Such a jerk."

"Did you say something?" Ruby pressed on.

"Uh... No." I shook my head. "It's nothing."

Still, Ruby kept her eyes on me.

"You look troubled."

"I'm bound to be."

4 PM.

My eyes rested on the wall clock.

"I have to go."

Surprisingly, she beamed with a smile.

I knew you'd have a change of heart."

Her response had me chuckling.

"Don't be so sure."

Assembling my things in place, I got up from the couch.

"Be a good girl. And yup, securing my spot as your chief bridesmaid."

"Whatever."

The ride home was long and exhausting. Thankfully, I didn't drive to Ruby's place.

After a heated argument with my father this morning, I left home for Ruby's. I'd be dumb to visit the casino after my last incident.

Sometimes, the urge to go see him one more time and give him a taste of his medicine lingered. A few times, I'd be able to suppress it, other times, it overwhelmed me.

I had no idea why, probably because I wanted to get my revenge, or just have him on top of me again.

"We're here, ma'am."

The cab driver announced.

Once I settled in, I walked towards the gate.

"Signora."

A guard by the gate called out once he identified me, and allowed me in.

Our house was a large expanse of land with fine decor and sculptures. Guards strolled around, vigilant.

Trying to avoid another argument, I sneaked in and headed for the stairs.

"I see you finally came back to your senses."

Argh!

Forced to stop on my track, I trailed in the direction of the sound to the dining room. As expected, the table was set in honor of his guest, one I'd never accept.

"Good evening, father."

He flapped the magazine in his hand and continued reading, not sparing me a glance.

"Call me that after the arrangement."

He gave a subtle warning.

Perhaps if I disobeyed, I'd be out of his house and on the streets. What difference would it make?

"You know," I aimed for his attention. "For a man who has so much money and power, I wonder what the shenanigans are for."

Only now did he look at me.

"Something about more money and maintaining it for generations."

He looked back at his magazine.

"Go get ready, your betrothed will be here soon."

Following his dismissal, I dragged my feet upstairs. Instead of putting on my finest fabric, I'm dressed so shabbily that I could literally pass off for a maid.

'Come downstairs young lady.'

I read the message from my father.

Reluctant, but left with no choice, I obeyed and joined the crew at the dining table.

"Hey, Allesa."

"It's Alessia."

"Hmm." He faked a smile.

Frankly, he wasn't bad looking, but he was nothing like the stranger at the casino that kept me punching the air all day, from need and hate.

"Here, my lady."

He proceeded to pull out a seat, but I settled in the one farthest from him. All these while, I ignored my father's silent warning.

"I'm Gabriel Lopez,"

I ignored him and cut down on my juicy lamb.

"Hmm, so yummy."

Purposely trying to piss him off, I groan.

"I've heard so much about you."

Interested, I paused.

"Well, Mr. Gabriel, the only thing I know about you, is that you're incapable of finding your own bride."

"Enough!"

My father growled and slammed his hand on the desk.

A loud silence followed next.

"Daughter, meet Gabriel, your husband." He motioned towards Gabriel.

"It's a pleasure, Don Eduardo."

His grin broadened and my father smiled back.

"And Gabriel, your lady, Alessia."

Gabriel reached for my hand and I pulled away!

"I'll be back shortly. I need to check my mail."

My father stood up to leave.

We both know he wasn't going to check on any mail. If he said it to a third party, then he was tripping.

"Don't be silly, Alessia."

He mouthed a warning before leaving.

"So, tell me more about yourself."

"I appreciate people who leave me the eff alone."

Oddly, Gabriel began to giggle. He pushed forward to meet me at a point.

"Listen up, miss." He mumbled.

"The only reason I'm putting up with this shitty attitude of yours is for the alliance with your father."

He groaned, refraining from kicking me in the face.

"Don't make this any harder."

"Wow." I scoffed in disbelief. "You didn't even wait for a moment to show your true self."

He ignored me and bit down on his sandwich.

"You might as well use the door, the deal is off the table."

"Says?" He chuckled and looked at me. "Am I supposed to shiver when a lady barely worth a penny speaks?"

"What?"

My words got stuck in my head.

"You're just a means, and you'd be damned to think you have a say in this."

That was it.

In fury, I picked up my cup of hot coffee and doused him in it.

"What the fuck!"

He growled and pushed the chair backward, yielding to reflex.

"You'd be delusional to think you're worth the stress, Gabriel."

The sound of my father returning, had me keeping mute.

"I'm done here." Gabriel brushed coffee from his designer's shirt.

"Shit."

My father sighed and hurried down the stairs.

"Gabriel, we can sort this out."

"Don, I'm sorry, but I can't do this."

He dashed out of the house, red with anger.

Deadly silence enveloped us, leaving me to twitch my fingers beside me.

"He was mean..."

"You have forty-eight hours to clean up your mess."

His tone was thickly laced with bitter emotions.

"Kiss his feet, go on your knees, I don't care." He resumed. "Don't push your luck, daughter."

Rylan's POV

"Don,"

Thane's cool voice called out.

That voice of vengeance and his rhythmic footsteps kissed the marble floor smoothly.

"The body we found at the scene, we've traced it to its master."

He stood behind me, his breath heavy on my hair.

In a freaking wheelchair, I sat my damn butt in, and just stared out the window from my penthouse.

Fine snowflakes rained on roofs and melted on themselves, flaunting the beauty of the season.

People who loved to show off already had their houses decorated up to the chimneys, even though it was still three weeks to Christmas.

While I sat in this god-forsaking chair and sulked!!!

My throat tightened following a deep exhaling.

"Name."

For the first time since he arrived, I said a word. Just one word, lethal enough to end the idiot's generation.

"It's uhm."

Thane trailed off.

Aggrieved, I rolled the tires to the side, getting a good angle to face him.

"Even the devil won't be spared." I gave a grim warning. "I. Need. A. Name."

"Don Eduardo."

He blurted out.

I scoffed, slowly graduating to a chuckle.

"That old- Serpent."

Gritting my teeth, the effect felt like they'd worn off from the gnashing.

"Dig up his latest data."

"On it, Don."

The top right of my lip twitched with a sneer.

"Today, we pay him a visit."

He nodded his understanding and adjusted.

"How are you feeling, Rylan?"

This time, his tone was soft, nothing like a Capo trying to talk to his Don. He knew when to keep it business and when to cut the chase.

"Thanks to you, I've never been better."

I still wore that sneer.

Heaven knew I'd waited impatiently for this news, and now, I'd gladly wrap my hands around his thick throat and choke him to death.

"Do you need anything?" He asked, generous as always.

"I'm fine."

He pressed his lips in a firm line and nodded, before walking away.

Alone, I returned to my misery.

Parents in funny costumes carried their kids with joy, a few yanked Christmas trees bigger than them, while their partners held the bags of tinsels and toppers.

Moi Padre, who was just as much of a freak as his son, made us spend our last holiday touring the world. On a few of our trips, Thane tagged along.

Last season, the casino was full of new queens ready to take the world in between their thighs. Wild and sexy.

I, on the other hand, had a taste of the sin they bore. A damn freak.

And now-

A teardrop slid down my cheek and I trapped it with the pad of my index finger.

"I'll be your doom, Eduardo."

In that position for a long time, I dozed off, only jerking up when the familiar footstep clinked as he approached.

Thane.

"I've got good news, Rylan."

He beamed.

"Getting my legs back?"

His smile froze in place.

"Then I guess it's not good after all." I shrugged.

"Say I bury my bullets in his head or sink my claws in his throat and rip out his guts, how much satisfaction will that bring?"

He straightened up.

"You get to crumble his empire and expand yours."

"Thane, would you rather be me? Be the most powerful Don, but freaking crippled?"

He looked forward.

I bet he would have agreed a week ago. Now, I was nothing but a burden.

"Spill," I said, in need of a new topic.

"We found his current address, and he isn't heavily guarded either."

I faked a smile.

"Get the car ready, we leave in an hour."

He nodded and dialed the driver to dish out my instructions.

"We should get you fixed too."

Going to the back of my wheelchair, he started to push me to my room.

"I can do this at least."

"I want to."

He ignored my protest and started to push me down the hallway.

"So, padre has safely landed, he's on business now."

I nodded at his words, which weren't helping as much as he intended.

This was a trip meant for me two days after the awkward night at the casino. Someone had to fill in. It would have been Thane, but we were yet to get trusted help around.

"And Mr. Vincente?"

"Done. His goods were sent and intact."

He added, knowing Vincente's thing for chaos.

"For the ladies, he wants them a week to the holidays."

"Fair enough."

He helped me shower, embarrassing, but handy.

After that, I got dressed casually in a black polo and faded jean shorts, leaving my hairy legs in view.

All set for trouble, we drove down to Eduardo's house, in the South Pole.

"I'd love to skate for the holiday, just take my mind off my dirty job for a day."

Thane went on and on about his plans for Christmas, and I just faked a smile.

"You?"

"Killing Eduardo, freezing his corpse, and having him for dinner on Christmas Eve."

His mouth fell a gap. I bet he wished he had never asked.

After long minutes of driving, we eventually arrived at his estate. It wasn't exactly to my taste, too white and shouty for me.

"We want to see your boss."

Thane handled business as usual once the tainted window rolled down and a guard came for inspection.

"Rylan, stop."

Thane groaned under his breath and trapped my gun between his firm grip and my thigh.

"Let me handle this, please," he added.

With clenched jaws, I just looked aside, counting to ten and hoping he was right.

"You see."

He pointed out when they allowed us in.

"Good enough, 'cause he saved an extra bullet for his master."

Thane stopped when I raised my hand.

Helping myself, I wheeled in. I was not a vegetable, and relationship aside, I'd love to be treated as the Don I was and still am.

"I'll inform our boss right away."

A guard responded to my stern gaze.

Tapping on the chair subconsciously, I counted down to his doom.

"Rylan?"

He paused on the steps, taking out time to examine Thane and me.

"I'm glad your memory still serves you."

He resumed descending.

"You have no business in my home, not now, not in the future."

As ever, he growled.

"It would have been lovely if you'd maintained your lane in our long-time feud."

Now at the base of the step, he took calculated steps towards me.

"Leave us."

He waved at the guards.

From the slit of his thick garment, I saw the fine trace of the handle of a knife.

Smart man.

Again, I waved at Thane, and he took a few steps backward.

"I'll be right by the door."

Thane whispered, but loud enough for Eduardo to listen.

"Incapacitated, huh?"

He mocked me when we were alone.

"You wouldn't live long to say this again." I left a grim note.

"What you can't do, is come to my house and bluff, little boy."

He hissed.

"How about I'm here to return the favor?" I demanded keenly. "If you fear death so much, you should have stayed the hell away from my family."

Showing no sign of terror, he approached me, closing the distance between us. Annoying, he leaned downward to meet my venomous gaze.

"I'd never thread you and your devilish father's path."

He didn't take his eyes off me.

"If I did, neither of you would be here today."

About to stand upright, I grabbed his neck, and twisted him to the side, with the speed of light.

He crushed on his knees and pushed my chair backward, but it was clamped down, giving me enough vigor to hold him trapped in my deadly grip.

A step ahead of him, I drew out his sword from its sheath and pulled his weapon to his throat.

"One freaking move, and I'll slit your throat."

He held still for a second, calculating his next step.

"I'll do that anyway, but first, I want to know why you put me in this mess."

The bitterness returned to my voice.

"Your response determines how slow your death will be."

He scoffed. "Whoever did that, did a nice job."

"I am not joking, Eduardo."

Reinforcing my statement, I pressed the blade on his skin, letting his blood streak down to the tip.

"Argh!"

A screech made me halt torturing the old man.

Looking upward, I locked my gaze with rich blue ones, alluring and innocent, down to her lips, full and seductive.

Time froze for a minute.

"You?"

We mumbled, shocked to meet again.