Their Fragile Little Kitty

ISABELLA

“I need to tell you something, Father. But promise me you're not gonna freak out. Promise me you'll stay calm and hear me out. I beg you.”

Father and I were the only ones in the living room. I'd asked everyone to excuse us, because I didn't want anyone eavesdropping. What I was about to say was a bit too sensitive and would sting the ears. It would also stir up mad gossip and I didn't want that.

“Actually, honey. I'm the one who needs to tell you something very crucial.” Father said, giving me a very tender gaze that spoke more of anxiety than love.

It aroused a bit of anxiety in me too.

“What….what is it, Father?”

“I wish there was a more gentle way to say this, honey. But there isn't. So I'm just gonna go ahead and say it, okay?”

“Sure, Father. What is it? You can tell me.”

“You're getting married,”

Damn right, I plan on! That's why I'm here. That's what I'm trying to discuss with him.

“To Aaron.”

“Aaron?!”

“Yes, honey.”

“No, wait. I think you meant Victor.”

Victor was my boyfriend. We've been lovers for roughly a year now. But for fear of clashing with both families, we kept our relationship a secret.

Growing up as the only daughter of the fierce and dominating Don Frederick has been a very tiring but adventurous journey. While I'm not allowed the pleasures of making my own decisions, wandering the streets alone, going on dates, and even shopping, I was guaranteed the pleasure of having over thousands of men ready to do my bidding.

I've never really complained about my life, even though it's been subtly suffocating. However, everything changed when I fell in love with Victor Romano, the son of Don Romano, Father's best friend.

Don Romano owns the biggest Mafia family, and we come second after him. Falling for his son was something I couldn't control.

He's sweet, exceptionally passionate. Down to earth. Thoughtful. A real-life depiction of those exceptionally perfect fictional characters.

We've kept our relationship clandestine for so long because we were scared of the possible chaos it might cause. But we had a talk a few days ago and decided it was finally time to come clean.

And that's why I'm here! To tell Father that I'm gonna get married to Victor. So why's he saying something so ridiculously painful?

Why is he saying that I'm gonna be marrying Victor's cold-blooded brother instead?

Aaron Romano is a walking disaster. Arrogant and exceptionally vicious. He lacks a heart and whatever beats inside him only pumps into his head terrible, unholy ideas of dominating this dark world. He's obsessed with power.

I'd never get married to such a man. Never.

“Not Victor, honey. I meant Aaron.” Father reiterated, meeting my gaze. He wasn't kidding.

Hot sweat broke out on my skin. He can't be serious. Aaron Romano isn't husband material. He's essential when you wanna claim a whole territory and force them to do your bidding. Or when you wanna kill a whole country. But definitely if you want a long-lasting and love-filled life.

Father must be out of his mind, I'm sure.

“There's no way in hell that I'll be marrying Aaron Romano,” I said firmly. Even the idea of it is horrible.

“It's not for you to decide, honey. The arrangement has already been sealed. You're getting married to him in a week.”

“Father, you gotta be kidding me!” I flared up, standing. “What do you take me for? A toy you can market off whenever you please and I'll just silently go with it?”

“Calm down, Honey. It's not that awful…”

“You don't say!” My rage was doubled. “Tell me one nice thing about getting married to that…monster!”

“He's not a monster.”

“No, he's worse. Tell me one good thing, Father.” I fumed, hands firmly placed on my hips.

“Well, for one, he's gonna protect you from our enemies. I've protected you all my life and I'm gradually losing the ability to. If there's anyone else who can protect you more than I ever did, it's him.”

“Protect me?! Father, the only person I need protection from is the monster you're trying to marry me off to!”

Father sprang to his feet. “He's not a monster. And you're gonna refrain from using such a tone with him!” Father barked, causing me to flinch.

Realization hit him a few seconds later and he melted instantly.

“I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to yell at you,” he tried touching me but I evaded his touch.

I took deep breaths, forcing myself to stay calm. I shouldn't be yelling either.

“You say you're marrying me off to him for my good, and that makes you sound so saintly. But that's not the truth, Father and you know it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This is another business transaction for you. Marrying me off to Aaron Romano, the underboss of the biggest mafia family would elevate your status in your dark little world. And when Aaron's father retires, he automatically becomes Don, and I'm gonna be his wife and you are gonna have the honour of being related to the most fierce Don.”

“It's not like that, Honey.” But even his denial was weak. It was exactly like that.

I know Father loves me but this thing of always using me in his business deals has been infuriating and heartbreaking.

I've always tried to understand. I've always told myself that it was the little prices I need to pay for being part of this family.

But this is the last straw. Marrying me off to a nightmarish man was something I'd never thought he'd do to me.

“I promise you, honey, this is the best for everyone.”

Tears filled my eyes as I took retrieving steps.

“I'm never gonna forgive you for this, Father. And I'm never gonna marry Aaron Romano.”

I stormed off, ignoring his calls. The valet was on the front porch when I stormed outside. I snatched my keys from him and got into my car.

It was midnight, and I've never been outside by this time alone, but tonight, I didn't give a fuck.

I needed to speak to him. I raced the busy streets until I wound up at the Romano villa, except this one specifically belonged to him. Aaron Romano.

The guards at the gate let me in and I drove into the exquisite compound. I alighted from my car and stormed to the front door.

There were men every inch of the compound but they didn't stop me. Either because of the relationship Father shares with Aaron's father. Or because they must have heard about my supposed marriage to him.

It definitely wasn't because of my rage. They were ruthless, like their direct boss. A rage from a slender girl like me wouldn't faze them one bit.

I pushed the front door open and barged inside.

The wide space that should traditionally be a living room was instead a leisure spot.

Games, a little bar, music and a mild display of erotic shit.

The man I was looking for was at the farther end of the room, throwing a dart. His remarkable, tall, broad physique, his signature armani attire and his dark curls that fell richly to his nape made him always stand out in a room.

He oozes way more aura than he deserves and I've always found that irritating. For a man as dangerously arrogant as he is, you'd think he'd have a more hideous aura.

But he doesn't. His features gave him a more enchanting facade for his terrifying personality.

His friends…or whatever they are, were all staring, even ogling, at me, pausing whatever they were doing. I sucked in a breath, bottling up the fear spiralling in my stomach.

I waited for him to notice the awkward silence. And he eventually did. He glanced back at first and then spun around, staring now with what seemed like disbelief.

“What…are you doing here?” His blood-curdling baritone sent chills down my spine.

But I forced myself to stay braced up.

“We need to talk.”