The Billionaire Mafia's Wife

"You are going to marry Joffrey next month, Devon. The families have already talked and planned the wedding months ago. Why the sudden disagreement, dear? You said yes a week ago."

Devon just looked sadly at her snow-paled mother from her pink bed and shook her head in defiance. She agreed then because her father forced and threatened her that he would kill her best friend but now that Ariane is dead, there's no enough reason for her to blindly follow them.

"Mom, you exactly know why. I had no choice. Dad squeezed the hell out of me. He would kill Ariane!"

Melena sighed and sat next to her and stroked her long black hair which Devon got from her side.

"Marriage is not so much a bad thing, daughter. I married your father when I was 23, the same age as you now. Joffrey is a lovely man for you and he likes you during the family gathering. I saw the spark in his eyes. He will take care of you."

She can't help but feel her bones tingling in disgust upon remembering the lust she read in his eyes that night as if he would automatically feast on her the moment they will be alone together.

"You forgot that he begged father for my hand just because of my face. Dad loves you truly but we all know Joffrey is a cruel man. He's notorious for physically hurting his girlfriends. Mom, do you really want me to be wed to a man like that just because of a brewing alliance?"

Melena stood up, her patience slowly eroding.

"I would gladly hand you to him and to anyone than be caught up with a man like Daemon. This conversation is over, Devon. If you want to still enjoy the favors of your father, then be a good child and obey him. Marry Joffrey. I won't tolerate any objection."

Melena walked out of the door and left Devon in a state of panic. Pulling herself together, she thought of any way, anything that she could do to get out of the situation.

She lied on the bed, took out her phone from the pocket of her jeans and call Elise, the only remaining one who can help her now. After talking with her friend, she began packing a small bag filled with some clothes and cash to last her a month. She's sure her family will scour the whole state looking for her the minute she's gone so she should be somewhere preferably on the other side of the planet by then.

Going against the wishes of her father, the leader of one of the surviving mafia groups in the country, will get her punished. Gestoni Farrows knows no family and blood. He will raise that gun even to his youngest child and only daughter.

"Mom said she would willingly give me to Joffrey and anyone other than Daemon. Well, I say I don't like both of them. I will marry no one."

Daemon is the leader of the rival of his father's group, the one her father wanted to take down so badly. Several emissaries from both of the groups went to and fro to offer peace talks to stop the ongoing war between the two but none was ever successful.

Some suggested her to be wed to Daemon to which her parents resolutely contested. As a consequence, the wedding with Joffrey was rushed as if Daemon would really think about marrying her.

Everybody in the district knows that he is in a love and hate relationship with Maddy, a senator's whore. Rumors has it Daemon assumed the position because of her.

She didn't go out to the dining hall for the dinner that night. A maid brought her food to her room but she didn't eat anything. She's busy plotting a way to escape.

"I cannot let myself be this way forever. There is a way. There must be a way for me," she said to herself and rose to see the moon deep into the night.

Growing up in a family full of boys, Devon has to be the yes woman in the house together with her mother who can't seem to say no to his husband. Her life revolved around pleasing everyone especially her father who only eyed her as a human being that will strengthen the stronghold of the mafia group to the 16th district by marrying her off to Joffrey, her father's one devoted friend and the number enemy of Damon Druft, the cold and cunning leader of the Magista group.

"If only I am a little bit stronger. If only I am more powerful than I am now then I will not definitely be forced to marry. If only I..." She stopped when an idea hit her.

"Wait a minute." She ran back into the bed and got the yellowish piece of paper inside her favorite pink pillow. She read the embossed number on the paper and bit her lips.

"This could be my last resort, my last chance. I don't care if this is betrayal to my own family. They have already betrayed me the moment they ignore what I really want to do in my life."

With the paper in her pocket, she went out of her room and quietly slipped out of their house amidst the darkness of the night. She carefully repeated in her head the images of the blueprint of the house so as to prevent herself from getting caught. When she is on the road, she breathed hard and put on the hoodie to cover her head and face. Afterwards, she hailed a taxi and asked the driver to drop her on the address written on the paper. The man recognized the place and glanced at her.

"Miss, do you really want to go to this place? You know there are many women and children disappearing in these places. I could bring you back to your home," the man said in his most concerned voice.

Devon shook her head hard. "I know that many women are disappearing here but I also know that that place could be the most secured place for them. Bring me to the Alley 56. I need to meet someone there."

The taxi driver just nodded and drove away. Devon is afraid by the way she curled her hands on her lap but she shove it back to her head. She will not waste time entertaining thoughts like that. She will try this opportunity and wish herself luck.

After paying for her fare, she hurriedly run to the gate of the lone building in the entire Alley 56, a flourishing commercial building by the day and a black market at night.

A big man with a beard stopped her from going inside. He blocked her and pushed her aside. "Hey, little children are not allowed inside. Go home, kid."

"I'm not a kid. I'm an adult and I need to enter. I need to meet someone inside. Let me."

The man chuckled and scratched his head. "Ah, another one of those teenage girls who wants to date with her boyfriend inside. Listen gal, this is not a place for you. Go tell your boyfriend to meet you in a park!"

"I told you I'm not kidding. Let me inside. I need to see someone."

"And who will it be? Daemon?"

"Yes!" she blurted it. "I need to see him. I need to talk to Damon."

He laughed. "Our boss doesn't just talk to anybody. Go home."

"I am not just anybody." She removed her ring and gave it to the man. He inspected it and when he saw the eagle insignia carved on the ring, he looked as shocked as ever.

I took off my hood and looked at him intently. "I'm here to see Daemon Druft. Tell him that the daughter of Gestoni Farrows wishes to see him now."

Daemon Druft in his early thirties in his signature shoulder length hair and arm sleeve tattoo looks as gruff and as ruthless as ever. Devon first saw him on a convention for the arts when her college buddy asked her to accompany him. He's with Maddy then while picking up an impressionistic painting in the gallery.

She spent her whole time staring at the man who stood the tallest among the people there. In awe of his majestic hold of himself, of the power she knows he is proud of controlling.

That's when she realized about the reason of her father's obsession for power and that's when an idea began to take a seed inside her.

"Are you sure you are a Farrows?" asked the man while still looking at her ring.

"I am. If you are still doubting then why don't you call Daemon for him to see me himself. He knows who I am," she said with her head high.

But the truth is, she's just lying. There's no way Daemon will recognize her. He didn't ever had the chance to meet her even in the banquet held by the old and wise Farriah. Daemon came to the event but she hid in the kitchen throughout the whole time trying to prevent herself from seeing Joffrey.

"I will bring you to him but if I found out that you are lying, I will wring that small neck you have and feed it to my ducks."

"Oh, you are a little too hotheaded," I softly said that turned into a gasp later when he dragged me inside the humungous building.

The interior of Daemon's lair is just like him. Dark, foreboding, and intimidating. The whole walls are covered with paintings. Even the ceiling is painted with the familiar scene from Michelangelo's Sistene Chapel painting.

Inside the big hollow building are glass boxes which house something she can't clearly see from her position. On each of the glasses are two guards with guns on their sides while the guests look.

This must be the relics Daemon loves to sell every night. Rumor has it that aside from drugs and gun cartel, Daemon also has the monopoly in the district when it comes to art smuggling.

"Stop looking kid and watch where you're going," the man's voice rose when she almost tripped on the boxes on the floor.

They had walked down to the basement area of the building where the light is so dim.

"Where are we now?" she asked with a tinge of fear when they stopped behind a metal door.

Devon looked around the floor with the help of the faint light coming from a small bulb in the low ceiling of the basement.

"You're here to see the boss so you'll see the boss."

The man pulled her arms and opened the door and pushed her inside. She squeaked in low pain when she hit the floor but immediately got up when a moan of a man in pain startled her.

"Lost are you, little one?"

A chill run down her spine when a rich dark tone of a voice sprang from behind her. She slowly turned around and batted her eyes to adjust to the glaring light of the room. Devon blinked when she is finally face to face with the man she never thought she would have the courage to meet.

She shook her head nervously and tried to appear courageous but she immediately drop it when she saw Daemon grinned while studying her face.

"N-No... No, I'm not. I... I am here to see you."

He cocked his one brow and put his foot on top of the head of the man lying on the floor that she just noticed by now.

"Oh, you're here to see me. Why would a little kid like you like to see me? Hmmm?"

He crossed his leg and put his hand on his cheek while his other hand reached for his pocket and took out a cigar.

"Could you light it for me?"

She immediately walked to the table where the lighter is and picked it up avoiding the sight of the man on the floor that is now unconscious. She lit his cigar and took steps back to regain her composure.

"Thank you. Now why would you want to talk to me, Ms. Farrows?" He said it in the most casual but probing tone that she can't help but took a long breath.

"I... I need your help..." She stopped when she realized something. He knows her?!

"Wait, you know me, Daemon?"

"The same way you know me, Ms. Farrows. Now what would the only daughter of my sworn enemy be doing in my own territory? Care to share it, Devon? Share it to me. Depending upon the circumstances, maybe I could be generous enough to help you."

She gulped and prepared herself. This is it. It's now or never.

"I..." She breathed again before looking directly at his droopy wild eyes. "I want you to take me in, Mr. Druft. Take me Daemon, please."

There. She finally said it but the obvious nonchalance in Daemon's face tells her he is not liking the idea.

After a minute of awkward silence, the man laughed and then stood up to stalk her. She took a step back and then another before finally resting to the wall when her back hit the doorknob.

"Could you please repeat what you just said, Ms. Farrows? You want me to what?"

He puffed out a smoke on her face and smiled dangerously.

"I... I wanted you to take me in for the time being. You see, my father wanted to marry me to Joffrey Dylan and I don't want that."

"And you would rather be with the enemy of your family?"

She nodded. "Yes, because I know you don't hurt children and women."

Daemon put off his cigar by sticking it to his own flesh in the hand. They both watched it create a searing burn on his hand.

"You are not just a simple child or a woman, Devon. You are a Farrows, a child of my enemy. What makes you think I would get myself involved in whatever family matters you are experiencing right now? I only want to be the only surviving leader of the entire district. Nothing else."

She swallowed the lump in her throat to ready herself.

"That's how I hated to be with Joffrey that I'd rather be with an enemy."

Daemon walked away from her and sat back to his chair.

"Everything has a price in this world, Ms. Farrows. What could you offer me?"

She thought for a moment. What a dumb thing for her to not think of this. Of course, Daemon would always want to get something from every deal especially when it involves the wrath of her own father.

"Are you now willing to take me in at least for a time being? If you do, then I could work for you day in and night. I will do everything you wanted me to do. Just please, let me stay here. They will never think that I'd run here of all places."

"Nah, nah." Daemon clicked his tongue. "I have enough workers, Farrows. But I lack something that only you, a woman, can give me."

Her eyes widened in confusion. What could be that?

"I... I don't have enough money," she softly said which elicited a laugh from him.

"Ms. Farrows, I will give you money if you ever give me what I wanted." He clasped his hands and stared at her bossom. "Bear me a son Devon and I'll protect you forever."

She went home running afterwards. How could that man say things like that as if it's that easy for her to be the mother of his child? How would a 23-year old like her be matured enough to carry a child born out of just a deal with Daemon?

She sneaked past the guards and went straight to her bed. That night, she tried hard to think about another plan but nothing ever materialized.

The days turned like some fast-forward movie for her life. As the weeks end, her fear of being married to her most hated man intensifies. On the night of a party his father organized for the announcement of the engagement, she felt like choking to death. She can't breathe through his white dress. She felt like exploding. She just wanted to disappear at the moment.

"Devon, tonight will be the night that your father and I will be so happy. Our only daughter will finally be married to a fine gentleman."

Her mother hugged her and looked at her father who is just as stoic as ever. Devon stared at her father, pleading. A tear fell from her eyes as she shook her head.

"Dad, I don't wanna do this, please. I will do anything you wanted me to do now just please, don't force me to marry Joffrey. Dad, please."

Gestoni Farrows did not say anything. He just stood in the middle of her room looking back at her.

"Mi amor, leave us," he told Melena.

His wife patted Devon in her head and went out of the room. Gestoni faced his daughter who is now red in fear and tears.

"Tell me, Devon. What do you not like about our friend, Joffrey?"

She sobbed in silence as she tried to gather back his thoughts. From a distance is the faint sound of the cheering guests settling in their vast garden for the event. She bets that maybe Joffrey is already in their house waiting to claim her. The thought made her want to vomit.

"He's too old for me, dad. He disgusts me as a man. It's like I'm just a prey for him. And I don't love him or like him either. Dad, please. I can't do this. I will never be happy with him in my entire life!"

"Being happy is not your choice, Devon. You are reared into this world to be my daughter and the only thing you are allowed to be useful of is to produce an heir. An heir that will inherit all of our empire. You know your brothers are not capable of having their own children. Now be a good girl and collect your husband tonight."

Her tears stopped falling as she gazed at his father who isn't fazed at her tears as if... as if he doesn't really care for her at all.

How long did her father ever felt like this to her? Is he like this ever since? Didn't he see her as his own daughter?

"Dad, I am your own daughter. I am from your flesh and blood. Please, don't be like this. I've done everything you've wanted. I quit seeing my friends. I've studied finance as you wish even though I want to be chef. I have sacrificed my life for this family but why can't you see that marrying Joffrey will kill me? Please see reason, dad. Please."

She got down on her knees and plead for him to retract his decision but her father only looked at her with his cold hard face.

"Fix yourself and come to the lawn. Don't keep your guests waiting."

And just like that, he left her in distress. Devon can't believe it. Everyone is turning their backs on her. Yesterday, she begged her mother to do something, at least help her leave but instead of saying anything, she just dismissed her and ordered the servants to lock her in her room.

She's appalled, no, she's depressed now. How could a life she tried very hard to love turned on to be nothing but a fucked up one. She should have rebelled against it. She should have hated it.

But instead, she saw herself accepting Joffrey's hand and letting him hold her by her waist and dance with her after her father announced the engagement.

"You are so beautiful, Devon. I can't wait to have you in my bed tomorrow, sweetheart." He sniffed her head and closed his eyes. "I can't wait to fuck you, Devon. You don't know how many years I fantasize you in my dreams, Devon. And now, I'm finally getting you, all virgin and innocent under me. You don't know how many things I've imagined doing to your body."

He pressed his hardness to her. Disgusted, she tried to free from his arms but she saw her father looking at their way so she stopped moving.

She didn't say anything. Her frail body can't do anything but her mind is saying a different thing.

The party ended without her even registering what happened. She just forced herself to smile to every guest who came her way. Joffrey never left her side. He stayed with her for the rest of the time holding her and touching her inappropriately to her chagrin. She once tried escaping to her room but her mother kept her eyes closed to her.

And as if the night couldn't have made it much worse, the audience asked for a kiss and a toast from them.

"A kiss and a toast from the couple, everyone!" a woman guest shouted while holding a glass in the air.

Everybody went on to ask the same thing. Devon's face went red in embarrassment and pity for herself as Joffrey's grinning face slowly descended on hers. She can smell the cigarette on him. At that point, a snippet of a memory crossed her head. A man in his chair, sitting so comfortably while roaming his eyes on her body.

Before Joffrey's lips lands on her, she moved so he was only able to kiss her cheek. She excused herself and ran back to the house and into the room where she hid herself in her blankets. After some minutes, she heard her door opening. Her bed moved and a hand caressed her hair but she didn't look back at her mother.

She hates her. She hates her so much.

"You will bear it sweetie. You'll fell in love with Joffrey just like I did with your father. Take it some time Devon and you'll find that it's the best decision you did. You'll thank your father for this."

She sat on her bed and glared at her mother who is as beautiful as ever.

"How can I bear it when it feels like I'm dying now, mom? And how can you bear seeing your only daughter get to be forced to marry an old rotting man? How can you bear it knowing that your child will never be happy in her entire life?"

Melena was speechless. Her expression changed for a little bit of a second before berating Devon.

"I am doing this for you as your mother. No one in her right mind will want her daughter to be unhappy. I'm saying this because I know you will accept Joffrey someday. It's hard now but you can bear it. You have to bear it."

Devon frantically shook her head. "No, mom. I can't. I can never bear it. I will never be happy with him. I will just be simply eaten by sadness every time I'm with him."

"Well, that is your cross you have to bear, Devon. You are not a child anymore. You have to take care of yourself now. Do everything to like your husband."

She smirked in desperation and laughed in a sudden realization. She thought her mother would understand her but just like her father, she just sees her as an object too.

"I hate you," she whispered. "I hate dad. I hate being born into this kind of family. I hate being your daughter. I hate everything that happened in my life and I will always hate the two of you for ruining my life." She softly sobbed. "I hate having you as my own mother."

She still caught the pain in her mother's eyes before she ran towards the bathroom and slammed the door. She hated everyone in this house right now.