Page 24 of Married to the Mafia Monster

We take the stairs fast, stepping over several bodies. I try not to look at them. When we reach the lobby, Alex turns right, kicking open a staff door.

It’s clear he knows this place like the back of his hand. He takes me down one corridor and then another until we reach a fire exit. He shoves the door open and pulls me through.

“Into the car,” he says, ushering me inside a sleek black sedan.

He jumps into the driver’s seat and we speed away from the hotel, leaving the chaos behind. The tension in the car is palpable, the air thick with unspoken words. I glance over at Alex, his jaw set, his eyes focused on the road.

My mind is racing, trying to process everything that’s happened. Alex’s grip on the steering wheel is tight. The tension between us is thick, but I feel an underlying sense of security with him beside me.

As we weave through the streets, Alex’s expression grows more serious. He pulls into a deserted parking lot, the car coming to a halt. He turns to me, his eyes intense.

“There’s no other way,” he says. “I’ve been over it and over it. We have to get married.”

My heart skips a beat. “But why?” I ask, my voice trembling. “I don’t get it.”

“My name will protect you,” he says, his gaze unwavering.

“Look, I like you but ’m not marrying you. We barely know each other.”

His eyes turn on me and all I can see in his soul is darkness. “I don’t give a shit if you want to marry me or not,” he says coldly. “It’s happening. Get used to the idea.”

Act Two

FOURTEEN

Bella

We’re driving through parts of Brooklyn I’ve never seen before. The soft hum of the engine is the only sound. The dead men at the hotel keep popping in and out of my mind. Dead because of the man sitting next to me.

I glance over at Alex, his profile sharp in the dim light from the dashboard. He’s focused but his grip is relaxed on the steering wheel, like this is a Sunday afternoon drive.

“Alex,” I finally say, breaking the heavy silence. My voice trembles slightly. “Lily’s back at the hotel. Is she in danger? Could those people come for her if they know she’s my friend?”

“Way ahead of you,” Alex replies, his tone reassuring. “I had her collected already.”

I bite my lip, trying to hold back the tears. “You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you? Why didn’t you warn me?”

“Because I took care of it.”

“What about the police? Will they be looking for us?”

“The bodies will be gone already. The cops won’t get involved in this, trust me.”

The weight of his words settles heavily on me. I lean back against the seat, the reality of our situation sinking in. The road ahead seems endless.

“Is this why you tried to stay away from me?” I ask, needing to understand his motives.

Alex sighs, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “I didn’t want to drag you into this mess.”

I nod, feeling a mix of apprehension and excitement. “I understand. But I still don’t want to marry you.”

His expression hardens slightly, a hint of frustration in his eyes. “You have no choice. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

I search his eyes, trying to find a trace of reassurance. “Why?”

He nods. “My name will protect you. It’ll only be for a couple of weeks anyway. Once I find what I’m after, we never need to see each other again. Annulment, divorce, whatever. It’s only short-term, trust me. I don’t want a marriage any more than you do.”

The admission hangs in the air, heavy and final. I shiver, not just from fear, but from the realization of what he’s capable of. And yet, I feel a strange sense of safety with him. It’s a contradiction that leaves me more confused than ever.

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