The Badass Mafia Boss Queen

I’ve never been good with pretense, so I nodded instead. “I’ve been worried about you. Thank God you’re fine.” Britney continued, but I didn’t say a word.

“Umm, I’m sorry for my outburst, yesterday. That was very stupid of me. Please forgive me.”

I wasn’t sure her apology was coming from a place of absolute genuineness. So I just nodded again.

“Are you free, we could go to the garden and spend some time… With Rocco of course.” She offered.

I wanted to say no, but I thought about it. What could possibly happen? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She wouldn’t dare try to upset me again. Not after the warning from Don Genovese and his wife.

“Okay, time in the garden sounds nice,” I replied.

Brittney smiled happily and looped her arm around mine.

‘Surprise.’

We ended up sitting on one of the benches in the garden. “I’m really sorry about yesterday. Not just because of what I said, but the interruption and all. We’ve never had such an episode in the Villa for a very long time. Who would have thought Uncle Carloz would dare threaten the life of a family member.” Britney continued.

That line of conversation piqued my interest immediately. “What really happened?” I asked, hoping for some tea.

Although I know Cordelia would have given me the whole details if I’d seen her. But I had no idea where she was, and I needed to know what exactly happened.

“It seems Uncle Carloz wants to overthrow Don Genovese. How pathetic of him. A total wretch, killer and bloody womanizer. He wouldn’t even be able to secure the support of any member of the family.” She told me.

“He pointed a gun at me.” I croaked, feeling dizzy as I recalled the swiftness at which he pulled his gun.

“Yeah, you bruised his little ego.” She laughed. “But it’s not just about you though. He already planned on attacking the Villa last night. The gunshot from the entrance was an attempt from his miserable crooks.”

“Where is he now?” I asked.

“Obviously at Don Genovese’s mercy. The whole family is against him, even his kids. I don’t see him coming out of this alive.” She explained. “You don’t look rattled-up though.” She added, nudging my shoulder.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I smiled and looked up at the garden. “You were so brave yesterday; that’s what I meant to say.”

She was trying to make small talk and amends. Her voice was hushed and somehow pleading. “Thank you.” I flashed a smile and she let out a relaxing breath.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a smile coming to her lips. “How have you been holding up?” Her voice was laced with deep concern that I fell for it.

“I’ve been good,” I told her.

“Sorry about my family’s threat to your life. I heard what my cousin Morello did and I want you to know that I do not support him in any way. I’m sorry for the way I came at you yesterday.”

“It’s fine. You’ve apologized so much already.” I tapped her gently on the arm.

I noticed that she kept a distant eye on the loitering guards in the garden. Rocco was at a reasonable distance too. She smiled at him, artificially. He nodded her way in acknowledgement.

“I thought Hollis was just trying to protect you, all of us thought the same, actually. We thought he felt guilty and was trying to keep you safe as a way of his redemption. We never envisioned a wedding coming into the equation.”

“Well, we’ve been friends for a while. We are in love.” I replied, not ready to create any room for doubt amongst Hollis’s family members.

That would be the only way to be sure of my safety. But I was curious to hear more of what she had to say, so I asked, “Why do you think my husband would marry me out of guilt?”

“Well, he… Nevermind.” She concluded, refusing to offer an answer. “The truth might be hard to swallow.” She added.

That got me rattled-up, really. “I don’t understand.” I insisted. “You need to…”

She interrupted me by turning her attention completely to me and leaning in very close. “I can’t tell you what I know, not here.” She whispered. “But, between us, are you really okay? Have they hurt you in any way?”

“I’m fine,” I answered awkwardly. “Has who hurt me?”

She shifted uncomfortably. “Hollis, for one.”

“Of course not,” I immediately said.

With a wield of the hand, she shushed me and glanced around erratically. When she was reassured of our seclusion, she brought her beautiful eyes back to me.

“Hollis has been nothing but an amazing husband,” I whispered, trying to find a word to describe him generally.

She paused, then said, “Hollis is handsome.” She ventured with awareness, watching my expression.

I went back to looking around the garden. Britney was terrifying me, but I didn’t want her to think I was desperate to hear whatever it was that was getting her worried. Because I felt she might want to take advantage of my desperation.

She exhaled very deeply. “Ugo, you need to be extremely careful around Hollis. He’s not a total saint when it comes to your matter.” There was a resentful edge to her voice.

“He’s working so hard to impress you and make you happy, but he’s not everything he’s painting himself to be. When he gets bored, bad things start to happen.” Britney added.

She seemed rushed. “Am I making any sense?” She asked.

I shook my head because she was really not making any sense. “He’s not like that,” I assured her confidently, even though my voice was the squeak of a mouse.

She put her hand on my shoulder, willing me to look at her. “Most of your loved ones knew about this arrangement even before it happened.” She cooed. “Don’t go raising dust yet. I’ll gather all the information and proof you need and then I’ll bring them to you.”

I shook my head, “you don’t know what you’re saying.” I remained calm, pushing her accusations away.

Wasn’t she the same person that talked down at me during dinner yesterday? She was clearly in support of her miserable uncle, who wanted me dead. So what’s my assurance that she isn’t trying to mess up my mind by creating doubts to ruin my relationship with Hollis?