Arranged Mafia Marriage

TheresaUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Hello, I’m Sheena.” The woman hovers just inside the doorway.

She wears pale pink scrubs, which should really be unglamorous, but with her petite figure and straight black hair that flows to her chin and her shining eyes, she looks smart. “The door to the suite was open,” she explains, “so I walked in. I hope I am not intruding?”

“Who are you, again?”

“The physical therapist; I am in charge of Mr. Sutton’s rehabilitation.”

“Mr. Sutton?”

“Axel?” she clarifies. “That’s his surname.”

Of course, it is. He didn’t grow up with the Sovranos, so why had I assumed that he’d share their surname? I hadn’t even thought to ask him what his surname is. And this perky little thing had found out about it before me. A hot sensation stabs at my chest. She’s also going to help Axel with his exercises and get him back on his feet. And dammit, I am even more jealous when she calls him by his given name. Wonder what kind of rehabilitation she has in mind for him? No doubt, she’ll use the excuse to have her hands on him. And likely, he’ll return the favor. Wonder if he commanded her to ride his face within minutes of their first meeting, as well. Okay, so it was the second meeting when he proceeded to eat out my pussy, but perhaps, he won’t show the same restraint with this woman.

“Are you okay?” she murmurs, still standing by the doorway. “You went a little pale.”

“I’m fine,” I clear my throat, “I just haven’t had anything to eat all day. I was too busy moving in here, so,” I raise a shoulder.

“I understand. Would you like to get something to eat?”

“Um,” I hesitate, “I am not really sure.”

“Don’t be silly. There’s a lot of food that has been catered in for the team that’s helping Axel get back on his feet. There’s more than enough for everyone.”

“There’s a team helping him?”

“Don Sovrano has roped in the best in the profession for his brother,” Sheena informs me.

Why didn’t I know that? To be fair, since the entire topic of my moving into Axel’s place had come up, I’d gotten so pissed off that I’d stomped out of his hospital room and I haven’t checked in on him since. In reality, I am upset with myself for having given in to him so easily. Why does he have this influence on me? Why is it that I already find it so difficult to deny him?

I’ve decided it’s best to stay out of his way, for the time being, at least. Best to stay in my room and get on with my life. It’s time I return to my floral business anyway. It’s a good thing I have a reliable employee, but it’s time I resume my responsibilities. I’ve already been away from my shop for too long.

“That’s good,” I murmur. “He’ll be back on his feet in no time, I’m sure.”

“He’s a fighter, no doubt about it,” she agrees. “He’s been pushing himself during the physiotherapy sessions. I had to caution him to go slowly, not that he listened to me.”

“Of course, not,” I snort. “That man has a mind of his own. Does he have to go to the hospital for the physio sessions?”

“No, Don Sovrano had a room converted into a studio with all the necessary equipment,” she replies. “In addition to that, there is a team of nurses who will be taking care of him around the clock. Michael really has pulled out all the stops.”

“Has he?”

She nods, “Axel is getting the best care possible, and his condition is improving by the minute.”

“Thanks, for the update,” I scowl at her, “although I am not sure why you are telling me?”

“Aren’t you his girlfriend?”

“No,” I snap. “Who told you that?”

“No one.” She furrows her eyebrows. “It’s just that you are the only other person living in this house so, I assumed.”

“Well, don’t,” I snap, then blow out a breath. “I am sorry; I didn’t mean to be a bitch.”

“It’s okay,” she says in a soft voice, “you must be under a lot of stress because of his injury.”

“Yes. No.” I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m glad he’s on his way to getting better.” I grab my handbag from the bedstead, then head for the doorway and brush past her. I walk into the living room and she follows me.

“I’m sorry if I upset you. I just thought you’d want to know about his condition.”

“Thanks,” I mutter. Good thing I’ve already showered and dressed. I have already messaged Adrian, my designated driver for this morning, and he told me he’d pick me up at 9 am.

I walk down the steps and toward the front door.

“Aren’t you going to see him before you leave?” she calls out after me.

I hesitate, then shake my head. “No, I am already running late.”

“It won’t take but a moment. I’m sure he’d be happy to see you.”

But how will I feel when I see him? I can’t risk allowing him to use his magnetism on me again. Can’t risk agreeing to something else that he asks me to do. No, I am going to hold off on seeing him until I feel like I am able to resist him…somewhat.

“I really have to go.” I secure my bag over my shoulder, reach the front door of the house, and wrench it open. The man at the doorway nods at me as I race past him, down the steps, and toward the car waiting for me. Adrian pushes away from the back door and holds it open. I slip into the back seat. He slides into the driver’s seat, then eases the car down the driveway.

We drive in relative silence. He halts at a signal, then eyes me in the rearview mirror. “You okay?” he asks.

I turn to face him, “Yeah,” I blow out a breath, “still getting used to the idea of being chauffeured around,” I admit, “not to mention, it’s unsettling to realize I am under the protection of the Sovranos.”

“It’s safe for you,” he reminds me in a gentle voice, “and it’s only until they figure out who shot at you.”

“I wasn’t the target though, was I?” I murmur, “I just happened to be in the path of the bullet.”

“Probably,” he agrees. “Still, you could have been shot.”

“But I wasn’t,” I point out.

“But he did take the bullet for you,” he retorts.

“What a mess.” I turn to face out the window. “I wish I could get my life back, before all this happened.”

“Were you happy then?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Maybe I would have been happier if Xander had reciprocated my affections, but I was confident that I could get to him, eventually. I had…still have, my business. I love what I do. I had a social life, friends-”

“Who you can still keep in touch with.”

“Try to explain to them what you are doing under house arrest and living under the same roof as a man you barely know.”

“A man who saved your life.”

“That too.” I scowl at the shops we pass by. “Imagine telling a normal person that you were almost shot, then see how they try to comprehend your life and fail.”

“Your life was never normal,” he remarks.

“Maybe not right now,” I bite the inside of my cheek, “but it used to be.”

“You sure of that?”

“What do you mean?”

He glances at my reflection in the mirror, then once more, at the road ahead. “You were interested in Xander, who was the Don’s son. Some part of you must have realized the road you were going down?”

“You mean, realizing that, at some point, I was going to be shot at?” I say in a wry tone. “Not to mention, probably held under house arrest while having most of my freedom taken from me?”

“It’s as good or as bad as you make it.”

“Oh, I am not complaining about it. I understand why I need to be guarded at the moment. Doesn’t mean I can’t, on occasion, think of a life outside it as well?”

We continue driving in silence.

“It’s not that I am not grateful for being protected,” I finally explain. “I mean, it’s nice of you to have taken the time to drive me to work today.”

“Not like I had a choice.” He smirks.

I must look stricken because he laughs.

“Not that I mind it. I’d rather be playing chauffeur than working on anything else.”

“But surely, you must have a normal life-a family, things you’d rather be doing than be here.”

Something flickers across his features. “You’re right,” he finally admits. “But since I am not going to be making headway there at the moment-” he raises a shoulder, “I might as well be your chauffeur today.”

“Hmm,” I lean forward in my seat. “Is it an affair of the heart we are talking about? Are you interested in Cassandra?”

He doesn’t reply.

“Aww, come on. You’ve fallen for someone, haven’t you?”

“That might be too strong a word.” His grin widens. “You know we Sovranos don’t believe in love.”

“And yet, Michael married Karma. Are you telling me he’s not in love with her?”

“He did kidnap her first,” he reminds me. “As did Christian with Aurora. He held her captive until she fell in love and agreed to be his wife.”

A shiver runs down my spine. “Is that the Sovrano MO?” I ask lightly. “Take them, then hold them prisoner until they agree to do your bidding?”

“With the kind of background we have, I’d be surprised if the rest of us don’t follow a similar path.” He laughs.

“Axel wasn’t brought up with you lot,” I retort. “Not that I know much of his background. What are the chances that, in comparison, he had a more normal childhood?”

He raises his gaze to mine in the mirror.

“Yeah,” I blow out a breath, “guess he’s as screwed up as the rest of you, huh?”

“Maybe more?”

“Thanks,” I slump in my seat, “not that it matters or anything. I mean, it’s not like I am interested in in him.”

He chuckles. The smirk is back in full effect on his face. Ugh! Why do all of the brothers have this raw, feral appeal about them. It simply invites a woman to try to tame them.

I narrow my eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”