Page 3 of Bought By the Mafia

I heard someone clearing their throat behind me and saw that the two men had finished moving the luggage. Funny how I hadn’t heard them all this time. “You can leave,” Gio said to them.

“Right on, boss,” the one called Mike said. As they were leaving, Giovanni poured another drink in his glass and another one, which he handed to me. I downed half of the fiery liquid like a thirsty woman in a desert.

Gio could not help himself. He looked like a self-satisfied Cheshire cat. Happy in my misery. How did he even find my mother? I was so sure the rehab I sent her to was in a remote area and far different from where most of the people I knew usually went.

“Does that mean you’re ready to play ball?”

I nodded. What other choice did I have?

He motioned to sit on one of the living room sofas. I perched myself onto one, ready to hear what was coming next. Whatever it was, it could not be good. He sat down opposite me. I took another sip of the brandy.

“Now that we’re on the same page, I thought we should lay a few ground rules. It’s something I should have done before the wedding, but I was a little busy.”

“I’m listening.”

“First; now that you’re my wife, a Morelli, you are expected to behave in a certain way. That means no more partying. Especially with those friends of yours.”

I split with “those friends” of mine a long time ago after my father cut me off and they realized they couldn’t mooch of me anymore, so that wasn’t much of an issue. But he couldn’t expect me to stay couped up in here. No matter how lovely his place was. “I am not even invited to parties anymore. I should reject all of those. No more birthday parties, bridal showers, work parties.”

“About that, second; put in your resignation.”

“Now that’s something I won’t be doing.”

“I thought you said you will play along. Your father is only one call away. I could easily tell him where your mother is.”

“But I love my job! What do you expect me to do with my life?”

“A good and dutiful wife. Third; you can’t have any boyfriends none what so ever.”

“And if I’m horny? It’s not like you’re going to satisfy me.”

His eyes flared. “Use a dildo.”

“And what about you? Will you be using a fleshlight, or does the man get to have mistresses?”

“If you want me to be faithful, I’ll stay faithful.”

The compromise came out of nowhere and cooled some of the anger that was building and made me bolder. “If I can’t get any, you can’t get any.”

“Fine by me. That’s it. Those are the only rules. Obey those and you and I will not have any issues.

“Except I haven’t agreed to the second rule. I am going to work, regardless if you like it or not.”

“You not working at that company is non-negotiable.”

“So you have an issue with me working at that place in particular? Fine. I’ll resign and look elsewhere.”

He held his head in his hands. “Why are you so determined to make this hard?”

“Why are you so eager to turn me into a housewife? Whatever fetish you have of me, I’m sorry I’m not going to cater to it.”

“Do I need to remind you that you’re not in a position to negotiate?” If I quit my job, I might as well tell my father where mom was. My job was the only way I could keep her at the rehab center. If I lose that, I lose her. Again. And there was no way I was going to ask Gio for money.

“I don’t care. I won’t quit my job.”

“Why do you love it so much? Aren’t you like a seamstress there or something?”

“I’m actually a stylist.” And if I worked hard enough, they could promote me to deputy creative director. I had a genuine career path there.

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