Arranged Mafia Marriage

Chapter 35Kiril

35

Kiril

I stride down the hallway of the dance studio, the scent of sweat and the fading notes of classical music lingering in the air. I’m early to pick up Felicity, hoping to surprise her with dinner plans. As I approach her classroom, I hear her voice, soft and encouraging.

“That’s it, Siobhan. Beautiful extension. Remember to keep your core engaged.”

I freeze. Siobhan? That’s an Irish name, and according to Viktor’s research, O’Malley’s daughter has that moniker. It could be as common as Jane for all I know, but I’m wary as I peer through the small window in the door. Felicity stands in the center of the room, demonstrating a graceful arabesque. A slender girl with fiery red hair mimics the pose, her freckled face scrunched in concentration.

My jaw clenches. Felicity knows this girl. She’s teaching her, and she never told me. Her source suddenly makes sense, and I’m quietly convinced the girl in there is O’Malley’s daughter.

The class wraps up, and I step back as the door opens. A stream of young dancers flows out, chattering excitedly. Last to emerge is Siobhan, her green eyes bright with exertion, as my beautiful, possibly treacherous, wife follows her.

“Thanks, Ms. Morris. See you next week.”

Felicity waves goodbye, her smile warm and genuine. “Great job today, Siobhan. Keep practicing those turns at home.”

As Siobhan disappears down the hallway, I step into view. Felicity’s eyes dilate with surprise, then recognition. “Kiril. I didn’t expect you so early.” She seems nervous.

I don’t return her smile. “We need to talk.”

Her expression falters. “Is everything okay?”

“Not here,” I say, grasping firmly to my control. “Let’s go.”

I lead her out of the studio, my hand firm on her lower back. We walk in tense silence to the waiting car. Once inside, I signal the driver to take us home, and she’s vibrating with tension. So am I.

Felicity turns to me, confusion etched on her face. “Kiril, what’s wrong?”

I give her a hard look. “When were you planning to tell me about Siobhan O’Malley?” I ask like I’m already certain that’s who the girl is, because I am.

She pales slightly. “I didn’t think it was important.”

“Not important?” My voice rises. “You’re teaching the daughter of our biggest rival, and you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”

Felicity flinches. “She’s just a student, Kiril. A thirteen-year-old girl, who loves to dance. It has nothing to do with our business.”

I laugh humorlessly. “Everything has to do with our business. You know that.”

“She barely knows anything about her father’s activities,” she says sharply. “I told you the only important thing she ever shared.”

“That’s not the point,” I snap. “You kept this from me. You lied by omission.”

Felicity’s lips purse. “I didn’t lie. I just wanted to protect her and give her a safe space away from all of this.”

“That’s not your job,” I say, my voice cold. “Your loyalty should be to me, to our family.”

“My loyalty is to you, but I also have a responsibility to my students. They trust me.”

I study her without blinking. “And what if O’Malley finds out? What if he uses this connection against us?”

Felicity shakes her head. “He won’t. Siobhan doesn’t even know who I am beyond being her dance teacher.”

“You can’t be sure of that,” I argue. “This is a liability we can’t afford.”

“So what do you want me to do?” asks Felicity, her voice rising. “Kick her out of the class? Break a young girl’s heart because of who her father is?”

I pause, considering. As much as I hate to admit it, Felicity has a point. Alienating O’Malley’s daughter could backfire spectacularly.

“No,” I say finally. “But from now on, I want to know everything. No more secrets, Felicity. Not even small ones.”

She nods. “I’m sorry, Kiril. I should have told you, but I won’t betray her confidences. Just so we’re clear about that. I can be loyal to both of you.”

I reach out, cupping her cheek. “I understand why you didn’t, but we can’t afford to keep things from each other, no matter how insignificant they might seem.”

Felicity presses against my touch. “You’re right. I promise, no more secrets.”

“But you’re still going to keep her secrets?” I sigh heavily.

“Only the ones who don’t threaten our family.”

I decide I can live with that compromise as I pull her closer, my anger fading. “Good. Tell me everything you feel comfortable sharing about Siobhan. We might be able to use this to our advantage.”

As Felicity begins to speak, I listen intently, my mind already racing with possibilities. This unexpected connection could be a valuable asset, or a dangerous weakness. Either way, we’ll face it together.

A few hours later, I’m back pacing the length of my study while Felicity sits on the leather couch, following my movements with the slightest directional change of her head each time I complete a lap and circle around again.

“We need to talk to Damiano,” I say, finally stopping to face her. “This connection with Siobhan could be our ticket to ending this war before it begins.”

Felicity nods, her brow creased in thought. “Possibly, but we need to be careful. We can’t put Siobhan in danger.”

I’m past my irritation with her insistence on protecting O’Malley’s child. She wouldn’t be the woman I love if she didn’t have such a huge heart and staunch ethics that she somehow finds a way to maintain even in our world. “Of course not. She’s just a child, but her presence in your dance class gives us leverage we didn’t have before.”

Her lips tighten at that word. “Not that kind of leverage.”

I grunt and pick up my phone to dial Damiano’s number.

He answers on the second ring. “Kiril.”

“We need to meet. Now, at the penthouse. It’s about O’Malley.”

There’s a pause on the other end. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I end the call and turn back to Felicity. “He’s on his way. We need to strategize before he gets here.”

She stands, smoothing her yoga pants. “What’s our angle?”

I walk over to the bar and pour myself a glass of vodka. “We use Siobhan as a bargaining chip.” Seeing her forming objection, I raise a hand. “Not directly, of course, but the fact that she’s in your class gives us an in with O’Malley that we didn’t have before. It might compel him to meet with me more seriously this time.”

“And how do we present this to Damiano?” asks Felicity, her voice laced with concern.

I take a sip of my drink, savoring the burn. “We present it as an opportunity. A chance to negotiate with O’Malley from a position of strength.”

Felicity nods slowly. “And what about Siobhan? How do we safeguard her? She’s not leverage.”

“We don’t mention her by name,” I say firmly. “As far as Damiano is concerned, she’s just another student in your class. We keep her identity out of it as much as possible.”

The doorbell rings, interrupting our conversation. I set down my glass and head to the door, Felicity close behind me. Elena is striding toward it, but I wave her away. “I’ve got it. You can go to bed.”

The housekeeper nods, too well trained to protest, and wishes us good night before I open the door.

Damiano strides in. “What’s this about O’Malley?”

I gesture for him to take a seat after we lead him into the living room. “We have a potential in with his organization. One that could give us the upper hand in negotiations.”

Damiano’s eyebrows raise slightly. “I’m listening.”

I glance at Felicity, who nods encouragingly, though she maintains a hint of suspicion. I try not to be offended. “Felicity’s dance studio. She has a student who’s connected to O’Malley’s organization.”

Damiano lifts his brows. “How connected?”

“Close enough to matter,” I say carefully. “We’re not using the kid, but having this connection gives us leverage.”

Felicity chimes in. “It’s a way to approach O’Malley that doesn’t immediately put him on the defensive. We can use it to open a dialogue.”

Damiano sits back, considering our words. “And you’re sure this connection is solid?”

I nod firmly. “Absolutely. We’ve verified it.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then a slow smile spreads across his face. “This could work. We could use this to get O’Malley to the table.”

“Exactly,” I say. “We approach him under the guise of discussing the dance studio. Once we have him talking, we can steer the conversation toward a more... mutually beneficial arrangement.”

Felicity rests her elbows on her knees to support her chin with her hands. “We need to be careful though. We can’t put any of the children at risk.”

Damiano waves a hand dismissively. “Of course not. We’re not animals. This is about business, not hurting kids.”

I pour Damiano a drink and hand it to him. “So, we’re agreed? We use this connection to broker a meeting with O’Malley?”

Damiano takes a sip and nods. “Agreed, but we need to plan this carefully. O’Malley’s no fool. He’ll be suspicious of any overture from us.”

“That’s where Felicity comes in,” I say, glancing at my wife. “She’ll be our point of contact. As the dance instructor, she has a legitimate reason to reach out.”

Felicity nods, though I can see her concern. “I can do that, but what exactly am I supposed to say?”

I sit down next to her, taking her hand. “You’ll invite him to some event. Nothing suspicious about that. Once he’s there, we can feel him out and see if he’s open to a larger discussion. He was too closeminded last time I met with him, but maybe a change of venue will relax him.” And maybe I’ll have to subtly reveal I’m aware his daughter dances there, but I’m going to avoid it if I can. I don’t want my wife to be angry with me for the rest of my life.

Damiano swirls his drink. “It’s risky, but it could pay off big. If we can get O’Malley to agree to revert to the old boundaries, we can all breathe easier.” His expression clouds. “Isabella and Tony can finally live with me.”

I nod in agreement. “Exactly.”

Felicity squeezes my hand. “And if things don’t go well?”

I flash her a steady smile, trying to convey confidence. “Then we’re no worse off than we are now, but we have to try. The alternative is all-out war, and none of us want that.”

Damiano stands, downing the last of his drink. “All right, let’s do this. Felicity, you make the call to O’Malley. Kiril and I will work on the details of what we want to propose once we get him to the table.”

As Damiano leaves, I turn back to Felicity. She looks pale but determined. “Are you okay with this?” I ask softly.

She takes a deep breath. “I don’t like involving Siobhan, even indirectly, but if this can prevent a war, then yes, I’m okay with it.”

I pull her into my arms, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll keep her safe, and with any luck, this will lead to peace for all families.”

Felicity nods against my chest. “I really hope you’re right, because I don’t want to do anything to betray anyone’s trust.”

It clearly bothers her, so I don’t try to offer platitudes. I just hold her, letting her slowly reach the conclusion that sometimes, our choices are terrible, and we pick, or become, the lesser evil.