Chapter 2: Chapter 2

I sucked in a sharp breath of air, another memory popping to the surface.

A long-standing tradition of the Roscotto family, hosted every three years.

The Mafia Games.

Open to women from across the country, the games offered women a chance to marry into the Roscotto family and gain power and prestige.

If rumors were correct, the games weren’t for the faint of heart.

Women chosen to participate either walked away from the games with unforgettable scars, or they walked away with the power to stand among the continent’s most powerful family.

Once every three years, women interested in participating in the games would hang a red ribbon outside their doors. This signaled their willingness to compete in the games. The unmarried men of the Roscotto family would select those they coveted to battle for a position in the family.

The women came from all walks of life: rich and poor, college educated and those without high school diplomas, high-powered CEOs and fast-food workers.

The only criteria was that the women were willing.

It was known as “The Taking,” a night that many women looked forward to.

How could I forget such a huge event?

“From the look on your face, you’ve heard a thing or two about my family.”

~A thing or two?~ I wished I knew nothing. For over a year, I’d played boyfriend and girlfriend with the fucking heir to the Roscotto family, and yet I never knew who he was. ~This is ridiculous!~

I shook my head as I tried to articulate my scattered thoughts. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He hesitated. “I had my reasons.”

I snorted. “Right. ‘Your reasons.’ Like always, I don’t get to learn anything about you.”

His jaw moved from side to side, like he was struggling with what to say. “It’s for your safety. Please understand. There are some things that I cannot speak on at the moment, but I will tell you in time.”

He almost sounded apologetic, but I couldn’t let his words get to me. I’d been down that road before, and I’d left it for a reason.

“I’m not interested,” I spat out.

If it were a year ago, I’d have accepted eagerly. But now? There was nothing between us. I’d given up. I was glad he didn’t tell me who he was then. I knew better than anyone that knowing could be much more dangerous than not knowing.

I stared across the room, searching my brain for something to say to take the focus off me. “So, you’re participating in the Mafia Games. You didn’t strike me as someone who’d be interested in such child’s play.”

Stefano’s fists clenched in his lap, and I could practically feel the tension radiating off his body.

“I didn’t originally plan on participating this year, but my father gave me an ultimatum: Find a wife and win the games or lose my position as heir. My brother and I are both participating, and many elders in the family are looking at us to continue our strong bloodline.”

“But…what does that have to do with me? I didn’t hang a ribbon on my door.”

He chuckled. “I know.”

“Then why am I here, Stefano? Why was I taken?”

“Because you’re the only person I thought of when it was clear that I would have to marry or forfeit my position as heir.”

His words brought me no solace. I still remembered the night I’d cried in his arms, begging him to open up to me, wishing I’d finally become a priority in his life instead of a secret. I also remembered how he’d never looked back, not even once, when he’d walked away from me.

His rejection had sliced through my heart like no other ever could.

“I refuse.” I looked away stubbornly. “Did you think kidnapping me was the best way to go about this? I can choose not to participate. We’re done. I want nothing to do with you.”

“It’s too late. Your name has already been registered.”

My stomach dropped at his words, and I abruptly stood and whirled around to face him, furious that he’d entered my name without my permission. That’s not how the games were supposed to work.

I swung my hand out to slap him, but he gripped my wrist and stood, towering over me. I’d always been considered a tall woman, even among men, yet Stefano’s height had always made me feel small.

I glared at him and tried to tug my arm away. “Who gave you the fucking right? I didn’t consent to this. The Mafia Games are based on volunteers. Why would I risk my life for you? You left me!”

His grip on my wrist tightened, and he pulled me into his chest. I stiffened in his arms, and the duvet I had been clutching around me fell to the floor.

My heart rate spiked as it responded to the warmth of the man who had never once left my dreams.

It was a simple hug, yet I found myself melting into him. There was a comfort in his arms, a comfort I’d not forgotten, no matter how hard I’d tried.

His lips skimmed my ear as he murmured, “I wouldn’t have chosen you if I thought you wouldn’t survive. Amorina, you know a lot about my world. You’ve held a gun before, and if threatened, you would do whatever was necessary to survive, even if that meant killing someone. Didn’t you swing a knife at me last night?”

My voice trembled. “That was you?”

He pulled back and gripped my shoulders. Looking into his eyes, I saw a storm brewing.

“I’m not just doing this for me. It’s to keep you safe.”

“Safe?” I echoed. ~Safe from what?~

“I know you’ve been pouring all your money into looking for your missing aunt. You hired a private investigator, didn’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Have you been keeping tabs on me?”

“It was a necessary precaution. I will help you find your aunt, but what you’ve been doing is dangerous. Your aunt was involved with some very dangerous people. If you poke that nest, there’s no telling who’ll come after you. Becoming my wife will give you the resources and power to protect yourself and your family.”

My heart leapt into my throat at his words. “Do you know where my aunt is?”

He shook his head. “No, but I’ve started looking into it. Apparently, her boyfriend was deeply involved with the Perez family. It’s not much to go off of, but it’s a start. I can help you with this, but only if you help me bring honor to my family.”

I fell silent as thoughts of my childhood flooded to the surface.

My parents had died when I was very young, almost too young to remember them. My aunt had taken in my younger sister and me after their deaths.

When she’d disappeared three years ago, I’d poured everything into finding her, but there was no trace of her. The cops had been useless. After they’d said my aunt might have intentionally run away, I’d hired a private investigator. I’d spent a large portion of my paycheck each month to pay the fees.

Between the private investigator and my sister’s college tuition, that hadn’t left me a lot of money, not on an entry-level accountant’s salary.

Could I really find my aunt if I participated in these games? Would I really have to marry Stefano for that to happen?

And why did that thought make my heart leap?

Seeing the hesitation on my face, Stefano continued. “With my help, you can enter high society and become one of the wealthiest women in this city. You will no longer have to worry about not having enough to support your sister.”

He got me. He knew my family meant everything to me. I couldn’t pretend to be uninterested.

The offer wasn’t bad. I knew how influential these games were. If I participated and did well, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. I’d be protected by the Roscotto family, and that was a privilege many hoped for.

I looked at him carefully, mulling over my thoughts and all that I knew of the games. “From what I’ve heard, each man can choose a maximum of two women. One is meant to be their potential wife, and the other is a potential recipient of the family’s generous nature with the man acting as their patron. Can’t you be my patron?”

He stiffened, an unknown expression on his face. He spoke slowly, as if to make sure his words were clear. “I can be, but that’s not what I intend to be.”

“That’s not up to you,” I clipped. It was better for me if he were my patron instead of my husband. Becoming the wife of the future head of the family would put a target on my back. No amount of money was worth my life.

“It’s not?” He took a step closer, prompting me to take one back. The tension in the air suddenly rose, and a shiver rocked my body. His eyes were smoldering, gripping my attention and bringing back memories of us.

His lips against mine.

My legs wrapped around his waist.

His thrusts, powerful and sure, reaching parts of me no one had explored before.

I blinked away the memory, only to be met with his knowing look. Something buzzed, and he took his phone from his pocket to check it.

“There’s something I need to do,” he murmured. “Is there anything else you need to know before I leave?”

I hated how he acted like this was a done deal, yet at the same time, I couldn’t refuse the offer. Deep down, I knew that this was the only way for me to learn the truth about what happened to my aunt. I couldn’t pass it up.

There were a hundred questions running through my mind, but I decided to start with the most practical. “How many games are there?” I asked.

“There are five games. They run for an entire year with a three-month downtime between each game.”

I furrowed my brow. “Three-month downtime? Then that’s four games a year. How can there be five?”

He smiled. “That’s for you to find out. I cannot tell you more than that.”

His suggestive tone made me pause. Was there a hidden meaning behind his words?

“You’re free to roam the house as you like. There are guards stationed everywhere, so don’t feel alarmed. They’re for your safety,” he said as he moved toward the door.

“You’re leaving?”

“I’ll be back. A mentor will be sent to properly explain everything to you.”

“Oh, okay…”

“And Catalina?” he called as he opened the door, his eyes fixated on me. “I’m determined to make you my wife.”