Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Enzo
Ican’t get the beautiful blonde out of my head. Kira Petrov. Gregor Petrov’s daughter. The Bratva.
The woman that Nikolai Volkov, head of the Bratva, wants me to marry so we can make peace.
I lean back in my office chair with a smirk. It’s funny how Nikolai and Gregor and Maksim think I’ll just cave and marry anyone they want. I shot Maksim in the back because it pissed me off that he was going to win. That he was going to make me look like a fool.
And no one makes me look like a fool.
The Italian mafia is doing very well for itself but a war would hurt us. It could make us lose money. Lose men. A marriage alliance with the Bratva would allow me and my men to not always be on our toes. We could relax.
But that would mean having to marry that little wildcard I met at my club. Kira is very sexy, I’ll give her that. Tight body. Nice skin. Bouncy blonde hair. Any man would want her based on her looks.
The problem is: she came to my club and got drunk. I don’t want that in a wife. Not one that could make me look like a fool. She’s trouble, that much is obvious. And I can be the only one in this relationship that causes trouble.
She would be a fun woman to fuck and flirt with but to marry? No. Not after she insulted me. Not after she gave me attitude.
I always expected to marry a woman who was docile. This is the mafia. Arranged marriages for political gain happen all the time. I figured it would happen for me one day. Just not today and not with a woman like Kira.
Yet, I have to think about stopping this war that’s brewing between the Italian mafia and the Bratva.
I have my younger sister, Gianna, to think about.
She lives with our aunt and uncle in Connecticut.
I didn’t want her around New York where things are dangerous.
She can live in peace while I take on the brunt force of everything.
I doubt she even knows about the war I’m entangled in.
The more innocent she is, the better her life will be.
The door to my office opens and in strolls Marco Amato. Wearing a suit that’s almost as good as mine. An attitude that shows he’s arrogant and he doesn’t care who knows it.
He doesn’t sit down in the chair across from me. Instead, he makes a point of towering over me while I’m seated. Fucker. We’ve worked together in the mafia for years but there’s always been tension between us. Just because we’re in the mafia doesn’t mean we all have the same goals.
“I heard that you’re making a marriage pact with the Bratva. Is that true?” His lips barely move as he asks it. Too much Botox in my opinion but Marco will deny it.
“I’m considering it,” I lie. After meeting Kira in person, I know she would drive me up the fucking wall. But I can’t let Marco just storm into my office and act like he can demand what I do or can’t do.
“With the Bratva? What are you bringing our organization to, Enzo? You will bring us to ruin, that’s what.”
I pick up my phone and keep my eyes on it, just to annoy Marco further. “I’m the head of the mafia here in New York. If I want to make a deal with the Bratva, it would benefit us all. You don’t get to talk down to me like this, Marco.”
“You’re just a boy.”
“I’m thirty-one. And you’re only forty, Marco. It’s not like you’re ancient.”
“That’s not the point. You should never have become the boss. It should have been me.”
“Well, thanks for sharing that with me. You can go now.” I wave my hand towards the door. Marco’s lips only turn downward more. So maybe no Botox then.
“Think about what you’re doing. You could get us all hurt if you really think you can trust the fucking Bratva.” As quickly as he stormed into my office, he storms out.
I set my phone down, considering his words. When Nikolai Volkov reached out to me to make a peace deal by marrying Kira Petrov, I considered it. I was almost killed by Nikolai a few weeks ago and yet, he spared my life. He doesn’t want a war either.
But I know I can’t marry Kira. Not when she came to my club, got drunk, and insulted me. It’s a wound that my pride won’t stand for.
However, now that Marco is against the marriage deal with the Bratva, it’s making me reconsider. I like to piss people off just for the fun of it sometimes and pissing Marco off would be funny. Maybe I should marry someone within the Bratva… just not Kira.
I call Nikolai’s number, which he gave to me as a sign of trust.
“Enzo,” he says in a tone I can’t make out. “Have you called to say you agree to our deal?”
“Give me someone else. Someone other than Kira within the Bratva.”
Nikolai is quiet for a moment. “There’s no one better though. She’s the daughter of Gregor Petrov. He’s the closest you’ll get to the top.”
Damn it. He’s right. It’s why he offered Kira to me in the first place.
It takes everything inside of me to grit my teeth but I have to say this.
“Anyone else. Find some other daughter of a high ranking Bratva man. I don’t fucking care.
Just make sure she’s docile and not annoying. ” I hang up before he can reply.
There. I’ll marry to make peace. But it won’t be with Kira.
And yet… I can’t stop thinking about her, even hours later.
Kira
I’m resting on my bed after I blacked out for just a moment when my father comes into my room. When I woke up, my father and brother were hovering over me, worry in their eyes. I haven’t seen my father that worried for me in weeks. Not after I disappointed him.
Now, my father’s face isn’t filled with worry for me. Instead, he only looks relieved. “Kira, I have some news. Nikolai just called me and told me that Enzo Bianchi wants to marry someone else to secure a peace deal. Which means that you won’t have to marry him.”
Slowly, I sit up, confused. “I don’t understand. You told me I was going to marry him.”
“I know that. But I guess he agreed to make peace by marrying another Bratva woman.”
“Who?”
“I’m not sure. Nikolai made it sound like Enzo was willing to marry anyone else… that wasn’t you.”
I blink, contemplating my father’s words, before I scoff. “So he’s ok with a marriage deal just not with me? What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing, Kira. But this is a good thing. I never wanted you married to that madman anyway. This way we’ll get peace and I won’t have to lose my daughter in the process.”
I scramble to my feet. “But he doesn’t want to marry me? Why? Am I not desirable or something?”
Gregor frowns. “I thought you would be happy about this. I mean… you fainted only a few hours ago now. This is good news.”
“Of course,” I say tightly. And it is. It means I won’t have to marry a total stranger who’s clearly dangerous and clearly an asshole.
But… I’ve never had a man not want me before. Whenever I’ve gone out to parties or clubs, men would always approach me. I would turn them down but it was obvious they were interested in me. So why isn’t Enzo?
It’s a blow to my self-esteem, not going to lie. And it pisses me off, frankly.
“Good. Now, get some rest. I’m just glad I won’t have to marry you off to a man like Enzo.
” He gives a kiss on my forehead. It’s the first one since he found out I snuck off to a party at Enzo’s house weeks ago without even knowing it was Enzo’s house.
I really need to find out which properties Enzo owns so I can avoid ending up at his summer house or something.
After my father leaves, I don’t feel relieved. I feel… antsy. I seriously want to know what’s wrong with me and why Enzo refuses to marry me.
So, after hours pass and it’s in the middle of the night, I grab my dad’s car keys off the side table and sneak off to the garage. Jason is still out front, patrolling our house, but he won’t be able to stop me driving away in a car. I don’t care if my father is upset with me. I need answers.
I speed down the driveway before Jason can stop me.
He runs after the car but eventually gives up.
I’ll be long gone by the time he alerts my father of what’s happening.
Jason will probably be fired from doing a terrible job at his own job but that’s not my problem.
Right now, I need to know why Enzo doesn’t want me.
I show back up at his club, even though it’s not as packed since it’s four in the morning now. Though, there are still people mingling around.
Enzo approached me last time. Now it’s my turn.
I ask the bartender where the boss’s office is and he points down a hallway. Without hesitating, I storm down it. There’s a guard stationed out front of one of the doors.
“I need to see Enzo Bianchi,” I demand.
The guard looks me up and down. “Why would I let you in to see him? Run along, little girl.”
“Tell him Kira Petrov is here to see him. Now.”
With a sigh, the guard grabs the walkie-talkie pinned to his shirt and informs Enzo of what’s happening. After a moment, the guard nods and opens the door for me.
I walk inside the office with my head held high. Enzo looks me over with a smirk that makes me want to blush but I keep my composure. I’m not afraid of a man like him.
“Why won’t you marry me?” I ask.
“Getting right to it.”
“You knew who I was when I was here earlier. You taunted me. And then I return home, only to be told that I’ll be married to you and then in just a couple hours later, I’m told that you don’t want to marry me. What is going on?”
“What is going on is that I don’t want to marry you.”
“But why?”
He frowns. “Why?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Why does it bother you that I don’t want to marry you? I assumed you’d be happy. A girl like you… not having to be tied down to any man.”
I cross my arms with a huff. “A girl like me? You make me sound like a whore, or something.”
“Well, you did come out to my club and got wasted. I don’t know what else you get up to.”
“I am not a whore. I just like to drink and dance.”
“See, that’s the problem.” He stands up and walks over to me. I force myself to hold my ground. He’s a lot taller than I remember… probably because I had a drink in me at that point. “I don’t want a wife who will embarrass me and your actions embarrassed me tonight.”
“You’re an asshole, you know that.”
“I’m an asshole?”
“You run a club where people come to drink and dance, which is exactly what I did, and yet you’re judging me for it. How is that ok?”
“It just life. It doesn’t have to make sense. Now I suggest you leave.” He looks me over once more in a way that makes me feel naked. “Unless you want to stay.”
“And show you that I’m a whore that you think I am? No. I am not a slut. I am a good catch. And I’m glad I won’t have to marry you. I would hate to be tied down to an oppressive judgy asshole like you.” I storm out of his office.
When I make it back to the main part of the club, a man approaches me. He’s clearly drunk from the way he’s swaying and reeks of alcohol.
“Hi, pretty girl,” he slurs, reaching out to me. I step back but he surges forward faster than I’m expecting and wraps his hand around my arm. “Come dance with me.”
“No.” I try wrenching my arm away but he’s a lot stronger than he looks. “Let me go. Now.”
“I want to dance with you.” He presses his body against mine and I gag, trying to back away but he’s not letting me.
“Let me go. Now.” I hate how my voice wavers. Normally, I’m tough but that doesn’t mean I never feel fear and right now, I’m here at Enzo’s club (which I shouldn’t be) and getting accosted by a drunk asshole who’s not taking no for an answer. I’m on my own.
“Come on baby,” he slurs.
“No,” I say, trying to push him away but he’s not moving. “Let me go. Stop it. Stop it!”
And suddenly, someone is tugging the man away. It’s Enzo. He pushes the man back and the drunk man stumbles to the ground.
Enzo turns to me with an unreadable expression.
I wonder what my expression says because right now, all I feel is fear. My vulnerability must be written on my face.
With a gasp, I run from the club and Enzo, fortunately, doesn’t stop me.