The Trapped Mate

My world comes crashing down and my heart feels heavy as I stare at the man I once called father. 'Once' because he doesn't deserve to be one anymore. I used to think he would change but no, he is proving me wrong this moment. I can only cry.

"You can't just marry me off. I'm not a commodity!" I scream but my voice is just croaky.

"It's for the best Amelia. I have so many enemies. Marrying you off is one of the best, easiest way to ensure your safety and-mine as well," my father says as he grabs a bottle of wine from the table.

"The local police, the FBI, you can hire them. You have the money. Am I only worth one week surveillance to you?"

"You are my asset! All women are assets to their fathers!" My father's raging voice resounds through the whole room but he chokes from the wine in the cup he was drinking. He coughs and takes a seat.

I search the room for my mother to at least intervene and speak up for me but that woman who is always dominated by my father is somewhere in the master bedroom crying. Father had hit her when she tried to argue out my course.

"I choose what I do with you and this is the best so far..."

"Yes. Just like you had my sisters married off to political opponents way older than they are just to gain their political connections and trust. Is this a game to you?"

"Lorenzo will protect you..."

"A mafia demon that the whole FBI has sworn to lynch? Father can't you just consider my feelings? I do not feel anything for him."

"You'll feel something for him when you start spending time together. You'll learn to love him. You're young and you'll adjust with time. This is the best option for you. Amelia, I'm sick of trying to talk sense into you..."

"And I'm sick of you being selfish and conceited! Sometimes I wonder if you're actually my father..." a slap across my face throws me to the floor and shuts me up. I almost black out. It feels like a whole alp just descended on me. I curl my body and try to cover the part I know he would hit again, my head. I have already grown accustomed to his style of beating.

"I do not want freckles on your body when Lorenzo would come to pick you up. He has to get you whole. Go. Pack your things. Your mother will help you. Lorenzo will come to pick you up this evening and get your mind set, your wedding is in two days time."

I hear the thudding of his black leather shoes against the wooden stairs as he heads to his room. "Don't keep Lorenzo waiting," he says as his steps grows more louder above me.

I sit up and hold my burning cheek where I was hit, feeling a bit feverish. I sob. It's not the first time he's hitting me. I wouldn't feel it if it were to be a different case but, marrying the cold mafia of Chicago whose occupation is nothing but violence is a death sentence. How do I stay with a man I feel nothing for, the rest of my life?

I think of running away. The only thing holding me back being the wooden door at the other end but to where? Chicago is a large city and it would take my father not less than three hours to find me let alone Lorenzo who has eyes and ears everywhere. I tried it before and the result landed me in a hospital.

I gulp.

My mother comes rushing down. She grabs my hands and helps me up, straightening my clothes at the same time.

"Lorenzo will be here soon. We have to pack."

"Mum, you also think this is right? You-I don't want this," I say to my mother while holding my burning cheek.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, tears forming in her eyes. I just don't know what to do."

"Talk to father, there are other ways to ensure his safety than using me," I plead.

"Your father, he... doesn't listen to reason," mother says, her voice barely above a whisper. "He has his mind set on this and I don't know how to stop him."

Tears begin to line my cheeks and mother quickly wipes it away. "Lorenzo will protect you. It's not as bad as you think," mother says as she tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Letting someone I have no feelings for do it with me?" One of the things that scares me the most is letting a total stranger do it with me and take my virtue. This will be my first time and I've always pictured how romantic my first time would be but now this...

"Do what?"

"I-nevermind." I sigh. "Please don't let father do this to me. Krith and Emily are already in hell."

"I know its your first time but I promise you'll love it after two times."

Love what?

"Mother, I know you're not in support of this. I know."

Mother only sighs. She picks my hand and begins to drag me with her. "Don't get hit again Amelia. Please just do as he says."

Mother helps me pack my clothes while I only sulk at the corner. I smooth the helm of my shirt when mum makes eye contact with me. "Mother, please..."

"I can't do anything," mother says weakly. "Lorenzo will soon be here. Just respect and obey him and you won't feel bad. You'll be fine," mother sniffs back her tears.

"What about my freedom?"

Just as mother's lips part to reply, the door push open and father walks in dressed in dark Italian suits and his favourite dark leather shoes. He always likes exuding that funeral aura with his dark attire.

"Lorenzo is here."

He didn't say anything more, he just turns and walks out of the room.

It thrills me that I'll soon be settling with Amelia, the last daughter of Sen. Clayton. From the very first time I saw her at her father's house opening event, the thought of purchasing her and making her mine had rid me of sleep most nights. Today, I feel more restless than I have ever been in my life. My mind is filled with her. Her tall blonde hair and hazel eyes that sparks off her beauty. Her curvy hips that sways with each step she takes. The only thing on my mind as we head to her father's house is what her body would look like and how delicious she will be.

I button my shirt as the car pulls into Sen. Clayton's driveway. I step down and begin to walk into the penthouse before me. My soldiers stay outside while Leo, my underboss trudge with me into the house.

Sen. Clayton ushers us into the sitting room and offers us seats. "I hear the campaign is next week, I'll send strong Made men to you," I say as I take my seat.

"You have to. I made a good offer," Sen. Clayton smirks.

The clicking of heels against the wooden floor force my head to turn to the direction of the sound. In my view stood the woman that makes my organ wake up. My eyes focus on her hips which sways seductively as her mother leads her to me. I continue staring at her body, wondering what is hidden behind those fabrics. If only I could undress her with my eyes.

Her mother gives her hand to mine with a smile which I know is false.

"She's all yours," Sen. Clayton says.

I take Amelia by the hand and order Leo to grab her bags.

"We'll be ready for the wedding," Sen. Clayton says.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a single tear drop from Mrs Clayton's eyes but it is none of my business. Amelia will be my legally married wife in two days and after that I'll do what I want with her. All I want.

I lead Amelia to the car and help her inside. Leo tugs her belongings into the car trunk. I climb into the back of the car where my fiancée is sitting and watch as Leo slips into the front. The car rolls away with a gentle sway. I look over my shoulder to find my other cars slowly follow behind.

I turn to Amelia. She close her eyes momentarily and continues sighing but her lashes soon lift to catch my gaze on her. She frowns.

"Must you stare at me that way?"

"What way?"

"I admit you must have a lethal appetite but can't you just wait till after the wedding night?"

"Whether its now or the wedding night, it doesn't change the fact that you are my wife..."

"Wife to be. Two days difference."

"It doesn't matter. I can have you whenever I wish and-wherever." I cringe my brows and stare intently at her distractingly perfect bow shaped lips and swallow the burning urge to kiss those lips. I wonder how she will taste. I think about letting her hair fall over her body, and arranging it over her breasts. I think about gagging and fucking her.

"What do you even want from me?" Her voice shrieks and I sense fear. Although she is trying to be bold, she can't deny that she's afraid of me.

"To wake up everyday with you on my bed." I watch her clench her jaws in a fit of rage. I only let a smile escape the corner of my lips. "You're going to be my wife."

"Wife?" She scoffs, "even if you were to fall in love with me, I won't accept to become your property or love you back no matter how hard you try."

"Property? Is that what you think?" I know she's my property now but she's quite smart to have read my mind.

"You'll hate me because there was no love in the first place."

"Its not that I'll hate you but-I don't love. Loving you would put you in danger likewise me. I can only protect you as my wife."

"If I were your wife, would you let me go wherever I choose, do whatever I please with no questions or recriminations? Would you make no protest while I pursue my dreams? Would you let me have my freedom?"

"I'll let you, as long as it doesn't put you in a compromising situation and you give me the attention I need. You wouldn't let me force you to get that, right?" I watch her sulk.

"I suppose...we could try a sort of...friendship. There's no need for us to be at odds," she says tentatively.

"And what is that?"

"To be free of each other. I'll be able to continue my life while you continue with yours and we'll be best of friends. After all, getting a wife is also a huge burden. You'll have to protect two people at all costs, me-you. Don't you think?" She grins.

"I see you're doing everything you can to put a wall between us."

"What if I am? Is it wrong to want to protect myself from you?"

"You don't need to be protected from me." This whole discussion is getting me angry and I know just how to put an abrupt end to it.

"Just because you want it doesn't mean its right. I have to consent first. Its an arranged marriage, I should be given some time to sort out myself and figure a way for this to work out for both of us. You won't force me right? You won't force yourself on me? It will be rape if..."

I couldn't hold it anymore. My mouth descends on her warm lips down to her throat as I aim deeper. I hear her gasp and that stimulates me the more. The urge to ravenously feed on her lips triples.

My mouth wanders in a new quest along the tender surface of her neck, down to the pulsing hollow of her throat.

A faint cry escape her lips as my fingers slid into the thin fabric over her breast, stroking, teasing until her nipples aches and hardens. I rub her nipples until she's gasping for breath.

When we were both breathing fast and hard, my mouth pulls up to her ear, "tell me you don't want this."

"No!" I hear her scream as she push me backwards. "You're never doing that with me!" She quickly smoothens her dress and push open the door. That's when I realize we were home and Leo had already stepped out of the car.

When I saw him at home few minutes ago, I felt incredibly nervous and frightened. He's extremely tall and muscular.

The expensive cloth mum made me wear makes me feel like a rich prostitute. Some fancy cloth that push my breast upwards, enough to make a man drool.

And now, what just happened in the car? Was he actually going to do it in the car?

I clench my fist as he leads me into his house that looks ravishing with porcelain tiles. Everything in the room is so white and a little touch of blue. I can't believe his dark self would want to be surrounded by so much purity and innocence.

I want to throw up. The nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach from having him kiss me so deep hasn't subsided. I never felt so defeated. My life is no longer my own as I will be a slave to Lorenzo, just like my mother is a slave to my father, the mafia boss' associate.

Lorenzo bends to my level as soon as we were standing in the centre of the room to whisper something to my ear. "Your personal maid will assist you to prepare for dinner tonight..." I sight a young lady walk in with head bowed at that point. "I have a present for you at dinner. Be in your best dress." He kiss my ears and I almost shudder but I manage to control myself.

The young lady walks up to me just as Lorenzo steps away. "Evening ma'am. I'm Lily."

"Please call me Amelia. Lorenzo said you'll help me prepare for dinner tonight?" I sigh weakly.

"Yes and for your wedding dress shopping." I almost scream at her for saying that. My brain feels like its in a scrambler.

Lily shows me to my room and on the bed lay a red dinner dress that catch my attention as soon as we step into the room. "Is that..."

"Yes. It's for dinner. I'll let you change." Lily steps out and I could finally have a space to myself for the first time today. I fight back my tears as the reality of everything that is happening dawns on me. That I'll soon be the wife to the most powerful and notorious capo in Chicago, not only that, one who the FBI have been unable to nail.

I remove my shirt and drop it on the bed. The dress on the bed have a cup bra so I remove my bra. I won't be needing it.

I hear footsteps down the hall while I remove my pants. "I'm almost ready, Lily," I say concluding it is Lily. I walk over to the bed to pick the dinner dress.

I hear the door creak open and I spin around immediately, my breast bouncing with the force, only to see Lorenzo standing shirtless at the doorway. Damnit!

I quickly wrap my arms around my chest and suck in a breath. I almost forget the most sensitive part is still visible to him. I bounce into the bed and pull the dinner dress over my lap to hide my bare body.

"I thought you left," I mutter as I slightly bend my head to avoid eye contact with him.

"I think I should give you the present now," he scoffs. "What are you even doing? Hiding my property from me?"

"It's not your property," I mutter. I manage to look at him. I stare lightly at those tattoo marks on his chest down to his arms and unintentionally notice a bulge in his tight pants.

I wrap my arms closer around my chest still feeling exposed. I close my eyes. "Please go," I say weakly.

When I open my eyes again, I see him before me, barely few inches away from me. I flinch with a gasp. He pulls out a black velvet box and opens it before my face to reveal a large diamond ring.

"You are my fiancée and my fiancée needs a ring."

"I won't take it," my voice comes out unpleasantly harsh. I notice his eyes narrow and I realize he's boiling up. "I mean-this is too kind," I try to calm him as I can't even imagine what would happen if I stir his anger.

"I am not kind, Amelia and this isn't. This ring is to prove worth that I am rich and powerful and-to mark you as taken. Do not mistake me for a good man." He grabs my left hand and shoves the ring on my finger. "Now, quick, get ready for dinner. Leo will be by the door to lead you downstairs and to the restaurant." Before I could protest, he shut the door and I am alone again.

I quickly slip into the red dress before Lorenzo changes his mind and steps back into the room. I put my wavy blonde hair back into a ponytail to reveal the low neckline of the dress which shows enough cleavage to make any man drool. I step out of the room, behind Leo who leads me down the hall to the car.

***

The car halts before one of the most scenic restaurants in Chicago. Leo leads me in, straight to a table. Lorenzo is already sitting at the table with another lady I can't remember seeing from anywhere around Lorenzo's house. She's laughing and I wonder if it was something Lorenzo said-Lorenzo doesn't strike me as the joke type. Not in the least.

"Oh, hi Amelia," the lady says as soon as she sees me. And she even knows my name.

"You've hooked yourself the most powerful capo. I must say am jealous of you. I'm Mirabel," Mirabel says as she pulls the other vacant seat next to Lorenzo for me. I slip into the seat while Leo takes his, next to Mirabel.

"Unfortunately, yes. You already know my name."

"You look, hot." Lorenzo winks at me and I feel my stomach clench in disgust.

"You have eyes for good things, don't you?" Mirabel smirks.

"Amelia, Mirabel is my confidant and best friend," Lorenzo further introduces as the waiter pours us each a glass of wine.

"Mmm," I nod.

"Lorenzo," Mirabel suddenly calls. I lift my eyes to look each of them in the face. "That guy is staring over there at..."

I don't need further explanations to know she meant staring at me. Staring at me I know, is more than enough to cause a scene.

"No one will mess with her unless they have a death wish," Lorenzo says matter-of-factly.

"Please, don't cause a scene," I try to beg Lorenzo to ignore the man but he stands instead, eyeing the male who still couldn't move his eyes from me. Look away, I almost scream.

Lorenzo walks over and sits down at the gentleman's table. He looks calm and collect with his hands politely folded on the table in front of him. The man smirks and jerks his chin in my direction.

Lorenzo's jaws ticks as he pulls out a knife from God-knows-where and stabs the man directly on his forehead, the space between his eyes, killing him instantly. The man's eyes roll back in his head and blood pours out.

God! I'm never going to get the sound of his skull cracking and the squishing sounds of his brain being penetrated out of my mind.

The man's body topples and Lorenzo stands. He grabs one of the napkins and wipes his hand of the man's blood. He throws the napkin down onto the man's food and nonchalantly walks back to our table.

What did the man do to make Lorenzo kill him? That he was just staring? Is it a crime to stare?

Mirabel simply looks amused as if she enjoys Lorenzo's savagery while-I am frightened.

"Staring and insulting what is mine is what I won't tolerate in my restaurant. I do not take kindly to other men disrespecting my property."

His restaurant?

I feel a lump in my throat as I fight back the urge to cry. I'm being called his 'property' again. He sees me as an asset he has to protect.

I turn back to the body whose head is now in a pool of thick red liquid and I shudder. I know for a fact that I'll be traumatized for having to witness such ruthless murder.