Her Mafia Daddy (Book 1) novel Chapter 14

Valentina POV

There were three different pasta dishes, fried artichokes, steak with butter sauce, pork chops, bruschetta with ham and tomatoes, and fish soup. When we were alone, I gestured to the food. “Do they think we can seriously eat all this?”

“No. They want to impress us.” We started sampling dishes, and I could not believe how delicious every bite was. I moaned as I swallowed another bite of fettuccine with beef ragout. “This is the best thing I’ve ever had.”

Dimitri leaned in, like he was sharing a secret. “Zia’s is better.”

“Impossible.” He grinned and cut me a piece of his pork chop, putting it on my plate. “Try this. I think you’ll love it.”

“Wait, is this a Ravazzani pig?” I saw some yesterday on the estate and they were so adorable and sweet. While I wasn’t a vegetarian, I felt bad for those little piglets. “Tina , you had no problem eating the steak or the beef ragout.”

“Cows aren’t as cute as piglets.” He shook his head, probably thinking I was ridiculous, and reached to take the piece off my plate. I stabbed his hand with my fork. “I didn’t say you could have it, stronzo.”

This caused him to throw his head back and laugh. “I see you are picking up more Italian.”

“Only the helpful words.” I ate a bite of cooked pork and it was delicious, damn it. We split a tartufo for dessert and drank cappuccino. As much as I didn’t want to be in Italy, I had to admit this had been a perfect meal. And I didn’t hate my time with Dimitri . What did that say about me? Was I giving in already?

The thought depressed me, but even more depressing was the thought of returning to the castle. My prison. I wasn’t ready to face Ravazzani and his unforgiving eyes and lush, stern mouth. No doubt he would gloat over his victory of getting Dimitri and I to go out together, never mind that he’d blackmailed me to do it. Stronzo, indeed. An idea occurred. “Where do you go for fun in Siderno?”

Dimitri pursed his lips before taking a sip of espresso. “What are you thinking, Tina ?”

“I am thinking I don’t want to go back yet. Sitting in the castle is lame. Let’s go have some fun.”

“I’m supposed to bring you straight home.”

“Orders from your father, no doubt.” I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Dimitri . I’m sure there is some safe place where you can take me so we can live a little.”

“Oh, sure. Figurati! Defy my father. You make it sound so easy.”

“He won’t mind if we are spending time together. That’s all he wants anyway.”

“True.” He exhaled and checked his watch. “I’ll take you to one of our nightclubs. No one will bother us there.” I put down my spoon. “I’m ready.”

We pulled up to the club’s front entrance. Marco, our driver for the evening, had been none too pleased about this stop, but we promised to only stay an hour. No doubt he’d already texted the capo to tattle on us, but I didn’t care. The bass thumped in my chest as soon as I stepped out of the car. Yes, I needed this distraction.

Ignoring the long line out front, Dimitri shook hands with the man at the door and then we were inside. The sound in here was louder, with bright lights flashing above a wide dance floor. Bodies were everywhere, young and beautiful Italians who weren’t being forced into a marriage they didn’t want. I longed to lose myself in them, even if it was only for one hour.

“Would you like a drink?” Dimitri asked over the loud music. “No, I’d rather dance.”

“Come on, then.” Taking my hand, he led me to the dance floor. I’d only been to one other club, a secret outing with a girlfriend from school. Except I’d spent the entire night looking over my shoulder, fearing my father’s men would appear at any moment. I hadn’t been able to relax and ended up leaving sooner than planned.

Tonight, I’d make the most of this outing. Dimitri would have to carry me out of here kicking and screaming. On the floor, we began jumping and writhing with the rest of the crowd, pressed in with strangers while staying close to each other. He didn’t try to grind on me, which I was grateful for. Most guys tried to cop a feel while dancing, thinking the close proximity gave them access to a woman’s body.

He’ll have access to my body soon enough. Letting my eyes close, I swayed and tried to forget where I was and why I’d been brought here. For someone who hated tight spaces, I should have been miserable on the cramped dance floor. But there was something about the music and the anonymity that put me at ease. It felt like freedom.

The songs blurred together, one after another. Dimitri could really move, and the people around us, men and women, took notice. I didn’t feel jealous, though, not even when a woman ran her hands all over his back.

He looked at me, probably to gauge my reaction, so I gave him two thumbs up. “Yes, Dimitri ,” I shouted. “Get it!”

He shook his head, though his lips twitched. “We are supposed to be engaged, no?” I held up my left hand. “I don't see a ring.”

Laughing, he drew in closer. “There’s an associate in the VIP area who I need to speak with. Would you like to come or stay here?”

“Definitely stay here.” I had no desire to get pulled into ’ndrina business any sooner than I needed to. Hopefully never. “Don’t move. I’ll return in a few minutes.”

He disappeared and I continued to dance my ass off. I was wearing three-inch heels and my feet already hurt, but I didn’t care. If we could only stay an hour, then I intended to make the most of it. I spun and twirled, let the music carry me off to a place where nothing mattered. Where I was free.

Many songs later, Dimitri hadn’t returned. My feet were throbbing and my throat was dry. I decided to take a break and see if I could find him in the VIP section. At least then I could sit and drink some water. The man guarding the stairs to the VIP section barely gave me a passing glance, instantly dismissing me. “Ciao!” I said loudly, waving my hand in front of his face. “I’m with Dimitri Ravazzani. I believe he went upstairs.”

The man didn’t move a muscle. “Nice try.”

“No, I really am with Dimitri .” Then I forced the hateful words out. “He’s my fiancé. I’m Valentina Mancini.”

The man blinked as he transferred wide brown eyes to my face. “You are Signorina Mancini?”

“Sí.”

“Mi dispiace,” he said and lifted the rope for me. “I didn’t know, signorina.” I guess word had gotten around about Dimitri ’s engagement. I didn’t know whether to be horrified or grateful.

“Grazie,” I said and went up the stairs. Toes screaming with pain, I reached the landing and glanced around. No Dimitri . That was odd. He said he’d be up here. Had I missed him downstairs?

Looking over the railing into the crowd below, I didn’t see him there either. Hmm. When I turned, I noticed a darker section that looked like it wrapped around the side of a small room. An office maybe? I hope Dimitri wasn’t beating some guy up back there. Or worse, I hope he wasn’t being beaten up.

I decided to take a peek. The dark narrow hallway was empty, but I saw something even better. A dimly lit exit sign. I held my breath, my heart pounding harder than it had on the dance floor. No one was around. I could slip out that door and disappear into Siderno, away from the Ravazzanis.

Did I dare? My feet were moving before I could stop myself. In my bones, I knew this was my best chance at escape. I slipped along the edge of the wall and very carefully pushed on the heavy metal bar that would operate the door. It cracked open silently, the cool night air washing over my bare legs. I edged into the darkness, muscles poised to flee and came to an abrupt halt.

Dimitri and another man were locked in an embrace on the fire escape, kissing each other like the world was about to end. Both of their dicks were out and rubbing together, their hips grinding and churning.

Holy...shit. Dimitri Liked Men.

“Everyone cares, Tina . Literally everyone I work with and live with would care. The last gay member of the ’ndrina had his dick cut off and shoved in his mouth before they dumped him in the ocean. Alive.”

Holy shit. “I don’t want that to happen to you.”

“Enough to lie about it? Enough to marry me, knowing I’ll be sleeping with men behind your back? Eventually you’ll grow resentful and want to punish me.”

“I won’t,” I promised. “But Dimitri , I don’t want this. I don’t want to marry you and live here as a mafia wife. I’ll never stop looking for a way to escape.”

“Including blackmailing me into helping you, I suppose.” My jaw fell open. I actually hadn’t considered that. “You could just as easily kill me.”

We stared at one another, each trapped and wondering who would lash out first. Or, would we become allies in this nightmare? He slipped his hands into his trouser pockets. “My father will be very angry if you leave. He’ll never stop hunting you down.”

“Is that your way of telling me you plan to kill me?”

“I’m not going to kill you, Tina .” He gave a grim laugh and rubbed his eyes. “I probably should. Cazzo! I hate this. I have prayed countless times to prefer women, to be like all the others.”

“So you aren’t bisexual?”

“No, I am one hundred percent gay.”

“See, I like the D, too. We have that in common.” That got a small laugh out of him. “Strangely, it is a relief to tell someone even if it is the woman I’m going to marry.”

We weren’t going to marry, but I didn’t bother correcting him. “You’ve lived with this secret a long time.”

“Since I was nine. The hardest part has been lying to my father. All he cares about are future generations of Ravazzanis to carry on the family legacy.”

“He cares about you, too. Otherwise, why come all the way to Toronto and kidnap me?”

“Because of your mother. He thinks you and I will make beautiful Ravazzani babies together.” I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling my dinner unsettle.

“The man you were with? Does he know who you are?” Dimitri nodded. “He’s a low-level foot soldier. We’ve been together for a year or so. I….” He clenched his jaw, his eyes darting away.

I sensed his need to confess, though I had no idea what he might say. “You can tell me, G.”

“I love him,” he blurted, the lines of his face deepening. He looked ravaged by guilt and secrecy. “We talk about running away all the time,

going to America and leaving the ’ndrina behind.”

But he couldn’t. He was the Ravazzani heir, the only male child. His father would never allow it. There were no words to make this any less painful, so I stepped forward and gave him a hug.