Married to the Mafia Boss

Dominic

I lead Sofia into Central Park, and we walk for a while before I lead her down a trail and to a park bench, where a large tree provides shade for us. “We can sit here. I’m going to make a call quick.”

Sofia sits and watches some joggers going by as I dial Facuno’s number. “Lopez residence, how can I help?” a woman answers.

“I need to speak to Don Lopez,” I say. “It’s about his daughter.”

“One moment,” she says before she hurries away.

I hear a click and nothing for a moment, and I know someone has picked up another line in the house. I frown as Facuno comes on the line. “Who is this?”

“This line is not secure. Give me your cellphone number,” I say.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Dominic?” There’s a click on the line as someone hangs up. “Who else was on the line?” he calls through the house. “Here’s my number.”

I put it on another burner phone while he reads it to me. “Get somewhere no one can eavesdrop on you. You have a traitor in your ranks.”

I hang up and give it ten minutes before I dial him again. He answers, sounding furious. “What do you mean there’s a traitor in my house?”

“Bruno,” I say calmly. “He planted a tracking chip on your daughter, we nearly got killed several times because of it, but your daughter is safe now.”

“Call me back in five minutes,” he says before hanging up. I know he’s going to have Bruno detained.

I wait and dial him again after five minutes. “Are you sure?” he asks.

“Positive. Sofia will explain when she sees you,” I say. “Also, one of her friends betrayed her. We got caught because of it. They no longer want to marry Sofia off to Jose. They want to marry her off to another guy so he can execute you and take over your family. Get more guards from my brother, don’t trust anyone.”

“Mother of Mary,” he mutters. “I’ll get it done. What about Sofia? Where is she?”

I walk over to Sofia and put the phone on speaker. “Make it quick, and don’t give away our location.”

“Papa?” she asks, her eyes brimming with tears.

Facuno sounds relieved, “Sofia, my angel. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’m very lucky, Papa. You sent a very brave man to save me.” she looks up at me, and I look away.

“Sofia, I’m going to bring you home, then we’ll decide our next course of action. Listen to Dominic and do as he says, okay?”

“Yes, Papa, I promise,” she says.

I take the phone off speaker and walk away. “I’ll be in touch soon to bring her back. Then I suggest you get yourself and her, back to Argentina as soon as possible.”

“Agreed,” he says, “I will make the arrangements. I will also deal with Bruno and anyone connected to him.”

“While you’re busy with him,” I say, “do me a favor and see if he’s aligned with someone named Carmila.”

“His Goddaughter’s name is Carmila,” Facuno says immediately. “We planted her in New York to keep an eye on Sofia. Why?”

“She betrayed Sofia. It’s how we got caught. He’s definitely the one then,” I sigh. “I’ll speak soon.”

I hang up, break up the phone, and motion to Sofia to follow me. I toss the phone in the trash as we walk.

“Listen, Princess, I got something I have to tell you, and it isn’t going to be nice or easy to hear, okay?”

Sofia looks at me and nods, so I stop walking and turn to her. “Your father knew Carmila. She was sent to New York to keep an eye on you. It’s why she befriended you.”

“But if she works for my father, why would she betray me?” she asks, her questioning eyes seeming to pierce into my soul.

I shake my head. “She was placed there by Bruno. She’s his Goddaughter. I’m really sorry, Sofia.”

Angry tears well up in her eyes, and she shakes her head. “My life is always a lie. I just want an opportunity to make my own life and decisions.”

I nudge her, so we start walking again. “Maybe one day you can break away from your family and do that, but this isn’t the time. Right now, you need their protection and mine.”

I take out another burner cell and dial Alessandro as we walk. I let Sofia walk a little ahead so that I can talk to him.

“Alessandro,” I say as soon as he answers, “the traitor is taken care of, and I figured out how Carmila fits into all this. I’m ready to take the princess back to her father.”

“Do it soon,” he says. “There’s family business I need you to attend to. Our lives are more than just one family Andres needs on his side. We have businesses to run and people to sort out. Your absence is definitely felt around here.”

“I’ll take her back tonight,” I say. “Do you want to meet me there?”

“Seven,” he says. “I’ll be there. Don’t be late.”

“Gotcha,” I say, hanging up and destroying the burner cell. I catch up to Sofia and say, “Change of plans. You’re going home tonight.”

“Tonight? Is it safe?” she asks.

“It will be. Alessandro will make it safe,” I assure her. “Come on, let’s grab lunch, then we can go back to the car and drive around until it’s time to take you home.

We leave the wooded trail and join the main section of the park. There’s a hot dog stand on the main pathway that I lead Sofia to.

“Two please, and two sodas,” I say.

He serves us, and I tip him generously. My father always said to be generous because you never know who’ll have your back when you need it most.

We sit at a free bench and eat in silence. Sofia looks deep in thought, and I don’t want to bother her.

“What will you do once I’m back with my family?” she asks.

I shrug. “Go back to mine, deal with family business. The wheels never stop turning.”

“You don’t even get a break to recover from your injuries?” she asks.

“Injuries happen,” I explain. “If I took a break every time I was injured, I’d hardly ever work.”

She stares out at some kids playing in the park. “I wish you had freedom to choose who you want to be,” she says quietly. “Or at least do something you want to do.”

I stare at my hot dog. “It’s been so long; I wouldn’t even know what I wanted to do if I had the chance.”

She frowns. “There’s nothing you want for yourself?”

I shrug. “Not that I know of. I’m paid well. My house is paid for, my cars and my clothes. I want for nothing, and therefore I want nothing.”

She smiles sadly at me. “You should think about it sometime. Think about something that you want and go for it.”

“I’d rather not be disappointed,” I admit. Dammit, why am I so honest with her? I feel so raw.

The way she looks at me annoys me. It’s as though she pities me.

“Maybe I want to be free enough to go back to work instead of babysitting.” It was meant as a joke, but I see the hurt in her eyes, and I know I went too far.