Arranged Mafia Marriage

Chapter 2Kiril

2

Kiril

I stare at Felicity, taking in her delicate features. The photograph I’d seen didn’t do her justice. Her warm brown eyes sparkle with intelligence and curiosity, framed by long lashes. Freckles dust her nose and cheeks, giving her an innocent appearance that opposes the strength I sense beneath the surface.

“Mr. Pimaslov?” Felicity’s voice breaks through my reverie. “You were going to explain about Damiano?”

I clear my throat, embarrassed to be caught staring. “Yes, of course. My apologies.” I rest my elbows on my knees. “Damiano discovered your existence after your father had a stroke nine weeks ago. He found some papers in Santino’s office and realized you posed a threat to his inheritance.”

She looks startled. “My father had a stroke? And he’s still alive?”

I nod. “Yes, Santino DeLucci is very much alive, though his health is precarious. The left side of his body is paralyzed, and his mobility is limited.”

“I can’t believe it,” she whispers. “All this time, I thought... I guess I didn’t know what to think about my father. My mom never talked about him except to say he died before I was born.”

“Your mother was trying to shield you and keep you safe from the dangers of mafia life.”

Felicity shakes her head, her expression a mix of horror and fascination. “So my father is really a mafia don ? This is insane.”

“I understand it’s a lot to take in,” I say, my voice gentler than usual. “We need to focus on the immediate threat, though. Damiano sees you as competition for control of the family business. He’s made attempts on your life already, and he’ll do it again without my protection.”

Felicity pales. “The mugging last week. That wasn’t random, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t. Damiano hired those men to eliminate you. Fortunately, they were incompetent.” I tighten my hands at the idea of how close I came to losing her. Even Santino didn’t know that Damiano had discovered her existence last week. I’m chilled as I remember reading the police report for the mugging, which ended abruptly when a large group exited a restaurant, distracting the men so she could run away. I don’t know her, but the idea of losing her like that angers and worries me, and it has little to do with my truce with Santino.

“And now?” Felicity asks, her voice shaky.

I blink, bringing my gaze back to her pretty face. “Now, I’m here to bring you into the fold. It’s the only way to ensure your safety and maintain the balance of power within the family.”

Felicity stands up abruptly, pacing the room. “This is crazy. I’m a dance teacher, not some mafia princess. I can’t just leave my life behind.”

I watch her move, admiring her grace even in distress. “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. Damiano won’t stop until he’s sure you’re not a threat anymore, and your mere existence is the very threat he fears.”

She whirls around to face me. “And marrying you is supposed to solve that how, exactly?”

“Our marriage will solidify an alliance between the Sicilian mafia and my branch of the Russian bratva , who controls most of Brighton Beach and beyond. It will give you protection and legitimacy within the family. Damiano won’t be able to touch you without risking an all-out war.”

Felicity rumples her short, dark hair. “This is like something out of a movie. I keep waiting for someone to jump out and yell ‘surprise.’”

“I assure you, this is very real,” I say, standing up. “I know it’s overwhelming, but we don’t have much time. We need to leave soon.”

“Leave? Where are we going?”

“To New York. To meet your father.”

She sinks back into her chair, her face pale. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

I move closer, resisting the urge to comfort her physically. “I understand, but Santino wants to see you. He’s been trying to guard you your whole life, even from afar.”

“By arranging a marriage for me?” asks Felicity bitterly.

I sigh. “It’s complicated. The arrangement was made years ago, as a way to ensure your future safety and solidify important alliances. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make this transition as smooth as possible, but it will happen.”

Felicity studies me for a long moment. “Why do you care? This is just a business arrangement for you, isn’t it?”

Our gazes lock and hold. “It started that way, but now that I’ve met you, I want to protect you for reasons beyond duty or business. You’ll come to understand and enjoy that eventually.”

A faint blush colors Felicity’s cheeks. “Oh,” she says softly.

We stand there in silence for a moment, the air between us buzzing with possible meanings to the words I just said. Finally, she takes a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll go to New York. I’ll meet my father, but I’m not agreeing to anything else yet. I need time to process all this.”

“Before we head to New York, I propose we make a stop in Las Vegas,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.

Felicity’s eyebrows shoot up. “Las Vegas? Why?”

“For an immediate wedding. It’s the best way to ensure your protection.”

She stares at me, her mouth agape. “You can’t be serious. We just met.”

“I understand this is sudden, but it’s necessary. Once we’re married, Damiano won’t be able to touch you without risking an all-out war between our organizations.”

Felicity continues to pace the room. “This is insane. I can’t just marry a stranger.”

I watch her for a moment without speaking, trying to keep control of my temper. My instinct is to rush her onto the Lear jet awaiting us and not worry about her consent to the marriage, but if we’re going to have any semblance of a peaceful marriage, I need her to accept this. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the safest option.”

She stops pacing, turning to face me. “And if I refuse?”

“I can’t guarantee your safety. Damiano is ruthless. He won’t stop until he’s sure you’re not a threat to his inheritance.”

She hugs herself. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

I stand up, moving closer to her. “I’ll protect you, but you must agree to my terms.”

She studies me for a long moment. Finally, she sighs. “Fine. I’ll do it, but only because I don’t see any other choice.”

I nod, relief filling me for a reason I don’t want to examine. I’m reluctantly intrigued by my future wife. In my mind, this was going to be a business transaction, but that no longer seems so appealing. There are a thousand and one things I want to do to her now that she’s here in person. She doesn’t understand how much control I must have not to pounce on her.

“You won’t regret this,” I say with a thin smile. “I’ll go make the arrangements.”

Within an hour, we’re in a limousine heading to the airport, where my private jet idles on the runway. Felicity sits across from me, staring out the window.

As we drive, I’m constantly aware of her presence. The soft scent of her perfume fills the air, and I keep sneaking glances at the graceful curve of her neck, and the way her hair falls just so around her face.

I shake my head, trying to clear these thoughts. This should be like a business arrangement, but I wonder what it would be like to take her to bed. To explore every inch of her soft skin, to hear the sounds she would make.

I shift in my seat, uncomfortable with the direction of my thoughts. Felicity turns to look at me, her expression unreadable.

“What happens after we’re married?” she asks.

“We’ll go to New York City as planned. You’ll meet your father, and we’ll figure out our next steps from there.”

She nods, biting her lower lip. “And... what about... us?”

I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Felicity blushes, looking away. “I mean, will we, you know, consummate the marriage?”

I clear my throat, meeting Felicity’s gaze directly. “Yes, we will consummate the marriage tonight in Vegas, right after the ceremony. Tradition demands we produce an heir to prove our union.”

A blush creeps up her neck. “An heir? You can’t be serious.”

“I’m entirely serious,” I say, keeping my voice level. “It’s a crucial part of solidifying our alliance.”

She looks away, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I’ve never... I mean, I’m not...”

“You’ve never been with a man,” I state, not needing her to finish the sentence.

Felicity nods, her blush deepening. “Is that a problem?”

“No,” I say, surprised by the possessive feeling that surges through me. “It’s not a problem at all. In fact, I’m not afraid to say I prefer it that way.”

She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “Okay. So, we get married, have sex, and then what? We just hope I get pregnant right away?”

“We’ll continue trying until it happens.” I shrug as though I’m not practically panting at the idea of taking her to bed. She makes me feel like a teenage boy again. “It’s important we conceive as soon as possible. It will reassure Damiano that your future lies with me, and it will prove the solidity of our union for any who resist the Sicilian-bratva truce.”

She closes her eyes so tightly the lids wrinkle, as though wishing herself anywhere but here. “This is insane. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”

Gently, I take her hand. To my surprise, she doesn’t pull away. “I understand it’s a lot to take in, but I’ll be gentle with you. I won’t hurt you.”

She looks at me with fear and curiosity. “Have you done this before?”

I arch a brow. “I’ve been around the block a few times, if that’s what you mean.”

She scoffs. “Arranged marriages, I mean. I don’t expect a man like you to wait until marriage, but I hope you don’t have a long list of past wives I have to look out for.”

I chuckle. “No. This is my first time too.” I give her a meaningful look. “This will be my last marriage as well. Yours too. This is a lifetime deal.”

She appears to mull it over for a moment before a small smile tugs at her lips. “At least we’re both new to marriage. I didn’t think I would ever get married, to be honesty. I let myself get too busy with everything else, and this is how I ended up.”

I take her hand and squeeze it. “It’s fate, my darling.”

The limo pulls up to the airport, and we exit the vehicle. As we walk toward the jet, I place my hand on the small of Felicity’s back, guiding her. She tenses at first but then relaxes into my touch.

Once we’re settled on the plane, she turns to me. “Can you tell me more about the ceremony? What should I expect?”

“It’ll be quick and simple. We’ll go to one of the wedding chapels on the Strip. I have connections that will ensure we get a private ceremony without any waiting.”

“Do I need a dress or anything?”

I shake my head, eyeing her in the leggings and oversized T-shirt. Hardly bridal, but she’s still ravishing. “We don’t have time for that. You look beautiful as you are.”

She blushes, and I enjoy the way her cheeks color. “Thank you,” she says softly.

As the plane takes off, we fall into silence. There’s tension in Felicity’s shoulders and the way she keeps fidgeting with her hands. I reach out to take one of her hands in mine again. Like in the limo, she allows it.

“Try to relax. I know this is overwhelming, but I’ll take care of everything.”

She nods, giving my hand a small squeeze. “I’m trying. It’s just a lot to think about. I feel like I should be doubting you right now, but what you’re saying to me is too detailed to be a lie. Still, I feel dumb to be going along with it so easily.”

“You’re far from dumb. This is about protecting you and securing our future. Everything else is secondary, and you can take your time exploring your new life afterward.”

Felicity stares at me. “What about love? Doesn’t that matter to you?”

I pause, considering my words carefully. “Love is a luxury in our world. What matters is loyalty, respect, and mutual benefit. Those things can lead to a strong partnership.”

“And maybe love?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

There’s a twinge in my chest at her hopeful tone. “Maybe, but don’t expect it. It’s better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed.”

She nods, looking out the window. “I understand,” she says, but she doesn’t sound terribly happy about it.

The rest of the flight passes in relative silence. I catch Felicity stealing glances at me when she thinks I’m not looking. Each time, warmth spreads through my chest that I try to ignore. As the plane climbs into the sky, I push aside thoughts of what our future might hold and text my assistant to make the Vegas arrangements.