Filed to story: No Escape From The Mafia Kings Embrace
The dance floor cleared once they realized who was here. I know it surprises all of them since I have never danced with anyone at any of these events before. However, them clearing the floor shows a high respect for those who are left. “Why did they clear the floor?”, Mara asked, her voice trembled. I pulled her closer, “To show us their respect”, I whispered, softly. As the song and danced ended. I closed my lips around Mara’s, kissing her deeply. Laying my claim on her in front of everyone. Mara’s cheeks matched her dress as I pulled away.
“Luca”, Mara squeaked quietly. “You’re mine, Marabella, remeber that tonight”, I said, warningly. Mara cocked her head to the side, trying to decipher what I meant, but I only smiled softly and kissed her cheek before pulling her off the dance floor, leaving her speechless.
Luca’s POV
The Mayor approached first and foremost, a sadistic smile on his lips, as he eyed Mara. “Mayor Rynn”, I greeted, stoically. “Luca Barello, I must say, you surprised us all, showing up to an event with a woman on your arm. May I ask who the beautiful specimen is?”, he inquired maliciously. I clenched my jaw momentarily, as mine and Mara’s grips tightened on one another at the same time.
“This is my wife, Mara”, I introduced, not wanting to hear him say her whole name. “Your wife?”, he asked incredously, as he reached his hand out to take Mara’s. She tensed even further as she hesitated before placing her hand in Rynn’s to shake. Instead, he brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them. He held her hand to his lips too long for comfort. Before I could speak, Mara wrenched her hand from his grasp.
“It’s nice to meet you”, she said, politely. Though, I could tell it was forced. It satisfies a deep part of me to be able to tell that she is faking it right now. “The pleasure is all mine, Mara”, he crooned. The emphasis he put on her name made my gut twist, dangerously. “It’s Mrs. Barello, Mr. Rynn”, I gritted out, as I pulled Mara closer to my side, and wrapped my arm more protectively around her waist. This fucker is going to know that she is mine when he addresses her.
The Mayor gave me a harsh look of disdain before plastering his fakest smile on his face. “Of course, my apologies”, he bowed. My hand on Mara’s waist was firm, as I tried to calm the raging inferno in my chest. Mara must have known what I needed because her hand crossed over her waist to caress my hand gently. I could feel my anger dissipate almost immediately at her touch. Another new experience for me. Usually a woman’s touch only infuriates me more, but Mara’s calms me, or excites me. There’s no real in between.
“How about a dance, Mrs. Barello? It would be rude not to dance with your Mayor”, Mr. Rynn asked, in a sickly sweet tone. I felt Mara’s body stiffen, as a slight tremble passed through her. My grip on her became deadly, as I squished her to my side. “That won’t be acceptable, Mr. Mayor. I’m afraid it would be blatant disrespect to my husband to dance with any man of any status, whilst we are still in the honeymoon phase of our marriage”, Mara replied properly, before I even had a chance.
Fuck yeah! That’s my baby girl. A proud smirk crossed my lips. Mr. Rynn’s eyes grew wide when he realized what he, himself, had insinuated. In our world, you do not touch a brother’s wife for the first three months, at all. If you do, it is a challenge to said member. I’m really proud of my baby for knowing that. “My apologies, Mrs. Barello. I believe you are correct. Please accept my apologies, Mr. Barello”, he bowed towards us. I caressed Mara’s side, as I nodded stiffly at the mayor, then led my wife away from him before I kill him in front of all of these people.
“I’m proud of you, bambina”, I whispered in her ear, once we were a few steps away. She only nodded and kept her eyes forward. I could still feel how tense her body was. However, before I could steer her away from the crowd, a familiar face appeared in front of us. Zera.
“Hello, Luca, you look as dashing as ever”, she smiled sweetly, as she batted her eyelashes at me. “Zera”, I gritted out. Mara’s jaw was clenched as she waited for Zera to greet her. Before a single word could be exchanged between the women, another familiar face appeared in front of us, very close to Zera.
“Hello, little rabbit”, Caleb Waters said, crooning. I know he isn’t fucking talking to my wife. Mara’s body was rigid to the touch, as she quivered in my arms. I was confused and trying to process his words, when another set left his mouth. “I guess mommy finally got into so much debt that you had no choice this time, did you? She owed the big bad wolf, and now the little rabbit is caught”, he taunted.
A growl started deep in my chest, my lip snarling in response. Both silenced by Mara’s soft touch on my chest. I looked down at the same time she looked up, us both being captivated by the other’s eyes.
“You know her mother?”, Zera’s nasally voice asked in surprise. Caleb laughed heartily, “Everyone here knows Sherry. Hell, every man here has fucked her”, Caleb laughed darkly. My eyes snapped to Caleb’s in fury. “I have not. So, do not be so careless in your inclusion of ‘every man'”, I snapped. Caleb smirked, the fucker actually smirked. “Of course not. You got the Grande prize”, he said, brazenly.
“You must be a blind, ignorant, witless fool for how you are speaking to and about my wife this evening. Caleb Water, I suggest that if you like having a tongue inside of your head, that you shut the fuck up, before I rip it out and hang you upside down by your toes to let you bleed to death in front of this entire event”, I hissed, taking a protective step in front of Marabella.
Caleb and Zera both froze with fear. They know who I can truly be. That’s why I don’t understand why they keep testing me. I guess they want me to set an example out of them. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. “You both show blatant disrespect for my wife and it has me dumbfounded. Zera, you already knew that she was my wife. However, you still appear before us with no respect. How dare you not address my wife when you address me? And, Mr. Waters, you may have a hihg-standing status in this community, but not higher than mine. You may not have been fully aware that Mara is my wife, but you saw us on the dance floor, which was a clear hint. That in itself should’ve indicated to you how much respect you should show her. But, instead you had the gall to approach us and call my wife a pet name. I ought to rip your tongue out for that alone. If either one of you ever appear before me again, it had better be with the upmost respect, or I will have both of your heads hanging in the streets for the people to see”, I threatened, my voice was deep and gravelly, as I tried to control the beast within me that wanted blood for the events that have unfolded.
“Yes, sir. My apologies to both of you”, Caleb said, bowing slightly, as the blood drained from both of their faces. “I’m sorry, Luca”, Zera said in a small voice. “That’s Mr. Barello to you from now on out”, I snapped. Zera’s eyes grew wide in shock, as fear gripped at her throat. “Yes sir”, she uttered, before they both turned and hurried away.
I thought maybe, I would have scared Mara. That dark part of me had begun to take over, a part that I didn’t want her to see. But, when I turned to face her she just stared up at me calmly, waiting for whatever I was going to do next. Her eyes showed admiration, curiosity, and peace.
