Arranged Mafia Marriage

Chapter 10Kiril

10

Kiril

H ours later, adrenaline from the successful operation still pumps through my veins as I rush back to the vehicle to find Felicity with Viktor. She’s still visibly on edge but seems to be finding her strength, and a surge of pride at how well she handled herself goes through me.

“You did well,” I say as I settle into the backseat beside her. “Staying put and observing was exactly what I needed you to do.”

Felicity’s lips curve into a small smile. “Thank you. I’m glad I could help, even if it was just from the sidelines.”

I nod, studying her face. There’s new confidence in her demeanor and a hint of the strength I was sure she had lurking beneath the surface. It’s time to introduce the next challenge. “There’s something we need to discuss.” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “Your father wants to meet you.”

She inhales sharply. “My father? Santino?”

“Yes. He’s expressed a desire to see you in person.”

She looks down at her hands, which fidget in her lap. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

I understand her hesitation. The revelation of her true heritage is still fresh, and meeting the man responsible for the upheaval in her life is a daunting prospect. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but after his stroke, his health is uncertain.”

Felicity’s head snaps up to look at me. “What do you mean?”

I sigh. “The doctors aren’t sure about his prognosis. There might not be much time left for you to meet him.”

She bites her lip, conflict etched across her features. She seems to be weighing the pros and cons of this decision. After a long moment, she nods. “Okay. I’ll meet him.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, wanting to give her an out if she needs it, though I’m sick to death of Santino harassing me. I’ll continue to act as a buffer between them if she needs more time though.

Felicity takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “Yes. I need to do this. For myself, and for him, I suppose.”

I nod, impressed by her fortitude. Leaning forward, I address our driver. “Take us to the location I sent to your phone a while ago.”

As the SUV pulls away from the curb, I turn back to Felicity. She stares out the window without speaking for a long moment before she asks, “What should I expect?”

I consider her question carefully. “Santino is a complex man. He’s led a life filled with difficult choices and heavy burdens, but he’s also a father who’s been separated from his daughter for far too long.”

Felicity nods slowly, absorbing my words. “Will you stay with me?”

The vulnerability in her voice tugs at something deep within me. “Of course. I’ll be right by your side the entire time.”

She reaches out to squeeze my hand. The warmth of her touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to resist the urge to pull her closer.

“Thank you, Kiril.” She seems sincere, and I feel terrible, like I’m forcing her into this, but the reality is, Santino might not recover. Or he could surprise us all and pull through. He’s a tough old man, and I won’t discount that possibility.

I gently squeeze her hand, offering what comfort I can. “You’re welcome, Felicity.”

As we drive through the city streets, I’m lost in thought. My wife has shown remarkable strength and adaptability in the face of extraordinary circumstances, but I wonder how this meeting with Santino will change her.

The car turns onto a quiet, tree-lined street, and we’re approaching our destination. It’s a rehabilitation home but a discreet one. It’s the kind of place where a movie star might recover from plastic surgery to look after her image, a senator might go after getting a pacemaker that he doesn’t want the world to know about, or where a mafioso goes to recover from a stroke. Felicity’s grip on my hand tightens, and I give her a reassuring nod.

“We’re almost there,” I say softly. “Are you ready?”

She takes a deep breath, gaze fixed on the approaching building. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The car slows to a stop in front of a nondescript penthouse. I step out first, scanning the area before helping her from the vehicle. She stands close to me, swaying slightly.

“This is it,” I murmur, guiding her toward the entrance. “I’ll be right here with you.”

“Right.” She straightens her shoulders as we approach the door.

I raise my hand to knock, the sound echoing in the quiet street. As we wait for a response, I glance down at Felicity. She looks at me, her expression reflecting a touch of fear and curiosity.

The door swings open, revealing a security guard wearing the facility’s uniform. It’s time for Felicity to meet her father, and I hope that this reunion brings more healing than harm.

Once we check in, including being scanned for guns that are catalogued but not taken, the guard gives us his room number. I keep a hand on her back as we walk down the corridors to find it. Once there, I open the door, revealing a gaunt man in a wheelchair. Santino DeLucci’s once-imposing frame is now diminished, but his gaze still holds sharp intelligence as it settles on her.

“Felicity. Come in, please.” His voice is hoarse, and I don’t know if it’s from emotion or his stroke. He didn’t sound so choked up the last time we spoke, so I assume he’s feeling overwhelmed at the moment.

I guide Felicity into the room, keeping my hand on the small of her back. She takes a hesitant step forward, never looking away from Santino.

“Hello Mr. DeLucci,” she says, sounding uncertain.

Santino wheels himself back, creating space for us to enter. The room is sparsely furnished, with a large desk dominating one side and a seating area on the other. There’s a hospital bed and various equipment in the far corner. It’s impossible to hide that it’s basically a hospital room, no matter how opulent the decorations.

I lead Felicity to a plush armchair, taking a position slightly behind her, offering silent support as I keep a hand on her shoulder.

“You look so much like your mother,” says Santino, clearly scrutinizing every detail of Felicity’s face. “Except for the eyes. Those are mine.”

Felicity nods, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “I can see that.”

An uncomfortable silence stretches between them, laden with years of unspoken words and separation.

Santino clears his throat. “I owe you an explanation, Felicity, and an apology.”

“You do,” she says, her voice quiet but firm.

Santino wheels himself closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “I met your mother in Miami. She was a ray of sunshine in my dark world. Our time together was brief but intense. When she told me she was pregnant, I was overjoyed.” He pauses. “But I was also terrified. My enemies were closing in, and they would use you and your mother against me if they found out.”

Felicity shifts forward slightly. “So you sent us away?”

Santino shakes his head. “No, your mother made that choice. She knew the dangers of my world and decided to shelter you by disappearing.”

Her brow wrinkles. “But you knew where we were. You could have contacted us.”

“I had my men watch over you from afar, ensuring you and your mother were protected.”

She grits her teeth. “Protected? We moved constantly. Mom never felt safe. How is that protection?”

His expression crumples with guilt. “I made many mistakes, Felicity. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but I see now how much pain I caused.”

“You abandoned us,” says Felicity, her voice cracking. “Do you have any idea what that did to Mom? To me?”

I step closer, ready to intervene if needed, but Santino holds up a hand.

“There’s no excuse for that. I can only ask for your forgiveness, and the chance to make amends.”

Felicity stares at him, tears glistening in her eyes. “How? How can you possibly make up for a lifetime of absence?”

He reaches out, his hand trembling slightly. “I can’t change the past, but I want to be part of your future, if you’ll let me. I want to know you and be the father I should have been all along.”

Felicity hesitates, her gaze flickering between Santino’s outstretched hand and his face. I hold my breath, watching the internal struggle play out across her features.

Finally, she takes a deep breath. “I can’t forgive you. Not yet, but... I’m willing to try to get to know you.”

Relief makes him seem more approachable. “That’s more than I deserve. Thank you, Felicity.”

She nods, then asks, “Why now? Why reach out after all this time?”

Santino’s expression grows somber. “My health is failing, as you can see, and your half-brother, Damiano... he’s become a threat. I needed to ensure your safety and bring you into the fold.”

“By marrying me off to Kiril?” asks Felicity, a hint of bitterness in her tone.

I tense, ready for Santino’s reaction, but he surprises me with his candor.

“It wasn’t my first choice, but Kiril is a good man, and I trust him to keep you safe. The alliance between our families will keep you safe from Damiano’s ambitions.”

Felicity turns to look at me, her expression unreadable. I meet her gaze steadily, hoping she can see my sincerity.

“And what about what I want?” asks Felicity, turning back to Santino. “Did you ever consider that?”

Santino looks pained. “It’s not ideal, but in our world, we sometimes have to make difficult choices for the greater good.”

“Your world,” she corrects. “Not mine.”

“It’s your world now,” says Santino gently. “Whether you want it to be or not, but I’ll do everything in my power to make it easier for you.”

Felicity is quiet for a moment, processing his words. Then she asks, “Tell me about my mother. How did you meet?”

His weathered face reflects joy and sorrow. “Ah, Susan. She was working as a cocktail waitress at a high-end club in Miami. I was there on business, and the moment I saw her, I was captivated.” He launches into the story of their whirlwind romance, painting a picture of stolen moments and passionate encounters. As he speaks, her face softens.

“She was fearless,” says Santino, his voice filled with admiration. “She stood up to me like no one else ever had.” The tension in the room is thick as he frowns, looking undecided about something before he speaks again. “There’s something I need to clarify. The story I just told you is not the whole truth.”

She arches a brow. “What do you mean?”

Santino slumps in his chair. “I didn’t just let your mother go. I chased after you both for twelve years.”

The shock on Felicity’s face is immediate. “What?”

“I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. I sent men to find you, to bring you back, but your mother was clever. She always managed to stay one step ahead.”

Felicity’s hands clench into fists. “So all those times we moved, all the fear, was because of you?”

He nods, looking regretful. “Yes. I thought I was doing the right thing, trying to bring my family back together, but I finally realized how selfish that was.”

I step closer to Felicity, ready to intervene if needed. Her body is tense, coiled like a spring ready to snap.

“Why did you stop?” she asks quietly.

“I saw what it was doing to you both. The constant running, the fear... it was ruining your lives. I couldn’t bear to be the cause of that anymore.”

She stands abruptly, pacing the room. “So you just decided to back off? After years of terrorizing us?”

Santino wheels himself closer to her. “I wasn’t trying to terrorize you, but I understand why you’d use that word. So, yes, I made a deal with your mother. I promised to leave you alone, to provide financial support from afar. In exchange, she agreed to give you a stable home and...”

He trails off, and she whirls to face him. “And what?”

He looks at me briefly before returning his attention to Felicity. “And she agreed to your arranged marriage when you turned twenty-five.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Her expression goes through a rapid series of emotions. Shock, anger, and betrayal.

“Mom agreed to that?” she asks finally, her voice trembling.

Santino nods. “She saw it as a way to secure your future, to keep you safe. The alliance between our families would shield you from the dangers of our world.”

Felicity turns to me, anger radiating from her. “Did you know about this?”

I meet her gaze steadily. “I knew about the arrangement, yes, but I didn’t know the full history until now.”

She turns back to him. “My entire life has been a lie? Every move, every decision, it was all part of some grand plan?”

“Not everything,” he says softly. “Your mother loved you fiercely. She wanted you to have a normal life, as much as possible. That’s why she kept you in the dark about all of this.”

She sinks back into her chair, her anger seeming to deflate. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

I move to stand beside her, offering silent support. She doesn’t push me away, which I take as a good sign.

He leans forward toward her. “I know this is a lot to take in. I’ve made many mistakes, and I can never fully make up for them, but I hope that by being honest with you now, we can start to build something real.”

Felicity is quiet for a long moment as she stares at the floor. When she finally looks up, her expression is cool. “I need time to process all of this. I can’t just forgive and forget.”

He nods, his expression reflecting understanding and disappointment. “Of course. Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk again.”

She stands turns to me, looking like she’s barely holding it together. “Can we go?”

I nod, placing a hand on the small of her back. “Of course.”

As we head toward the door, Santino calls out, “Felicity?”

She pauses, turning slightly.

“I love you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve loved you since the moment I knew you existed. I hope one day you can believe that.”

Felicity doesn’t respond, but her shoulders stiffen. Without another word, we leave the room. As we step outside, I guide Felicity to the waiting car. She’s silent, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. I open the door for her, and she slides in without a word. Once I’m seated beside her, I signal Viktor to go.

We drive in silence for several minutes before Felicity speaks. “Did you really not know about all of this?”

I turn to face her. “I knew about the arrangement for our marriage, but I didn’t know the full history of your family’s situation. Santino kept many details private from me.”

She nods slowly, processing this information. “And if you had known? Would it have changed anything?”

I consider her question carefully. “It wouldn’t have changed my decision to marry you, but I might have approached things differently. Given you more time to adjust, perhaps.”

Felicity laughs bitterly. “More time? As if a lifetime would be enough to prepare for this.”

I hesitate before placing my hand over hers. To my surprise, she doesn’t pull away. “I know this is overwhelming. Your entire world has been turned upside down, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

She looks at me as though gauging my sincerity. “Why? Why do you care? This is just a business arrangement, isn’t it?”

Her words make my chest constrict. “It started that way, yes, but you’re not just a business transaction to me. You’re my wife now, and I take my responsibilities seriously.”

“‘Responsibilities,’” she repeats, her voice flat. “Is that all I am to you? A responsibility?”

I shake my head, struggling to find the right words. “No, that’s not what I mean. I care about you more than I expected to. I want to help you navigate this new world, even if it’s not what you wanted.”

She’s quiet as she watches the city passing by outside the window. “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”

I squeeze her hand gently. “You are stronger than you know. I’ve seen it in you already, and you’re not alone in this.”

Felicity turns back to me with unshed tears. “What if I can’t forgive him? What if I can’t forgive any of this?”

“Then we’ll deal with that,” I say firmly. “You don’t have to forgive anyone right now, or ever if you don’t want to. Your feelings are valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

She nods. “Thank you for being honest with me, at least.”

Warmth spreads through my chest. “I promise I will always be honest with you. Even when the truth is difficult.”

As we continue our drive back to the penthouse, I hope that this moment of vulnerability between us is the start of something deeper, beyond the arranged marriage and political alliances. Something real.