Mafia Monster's Forced Bride Read online

  Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2022 Sam Crescent

  ISBN: 978-0-3695-0665-8

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Audrey Bobak

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  MAFIA MONSTER’S

  FORCED BRIDE

  Mafia Brides, 1

  Sam Crescent

  Copyright © 2022

  Chapter One

  Alex Smith—no, that wasn’t right—Alex Greco glanced around the luxurious sitting room at the many different faces of the world she had married into. Not willingly. No, her father had come home one day, sat her down, and told her that he had big plans for her. Whenever he had big plans for her, she knew they were lies. The truth was, he had big plans for himself. Not that she hated her father. Liam Smith was a scary man. Abandoned as a child, he grew up on the streets and fought his way out, earning himself a reputation and wealth that rivaled the mafia family she was currently sipping drinks with.

  No champagne, not for her. A bad experience on her eighteenth birthday put an end to her alcohol-drinking days. Now, she kept to water or juice. Nothing alcoholic.

  Not that she had a drink of her own. That would require the waiter to come close to her, and no one ever did that.

  Her husband, Roman Greco, stood near a bunch of men, talking, probably business, or perhaps they were discussing who they were going to kill. He paid no attention to her, not that she minded.

  They were like chalk and cheese.

  Keeping her arms folded, she tried not to feel so self-conscious. In a room full of strangers, it was impossible.

  This marriage was supposed to unite the Greco mafia with her father, who was the biggest crime boss in the country. His businesses had expanded and crossed the boundaries of illegal into legal.

  Her father had never kept his life secret from her. She wasn’t a fool and knew he wasn’t a good man. He’d tried to do right by her, but her husband couldn’t stand her. Their wedding night had been a huge sham. According to tradition, he had to marry a virgin. She had refused to take the doctor examination.

  Her father had kept her shielded, but he’d also been sure to allow her to have her own mind. So her virginity had been questioned. It had nearly caused a war on the streets because Liam refused to subject his daughter to the test. Lucas Greco had insisted. Her father had told him if he wanted to make this about blood, and not trust, then so be it.

  The test hadn’t gone ahead, but the wedding had.

  On their wedding night, Roman had refused to touch her. She didn’t know if it was because she didn’t look like any of his other women or because he didn’t think she was a virgin.

  Anyway, she got a shitty night’s sleep. He cut himself and gave the whole bloodied sheets a real feel to them so he could present them the following morning. To the world, they were married, but she knew she could get it annulled.

  She was a virgin. Alex refused to put herself through such an archaic examination. How dare they ask that of her? Her wedding night was three months ago. Since then, she had rarely seen her husband, and when she had, he had nothing kind to say about her. Always critical. Then, of course, she was dragged to these kinds of functions where she stood out because she didn’t quite fit in. Unlike all the women present, she didn’t possess terrified gazes, nor did she fear being around men.

  “You are all alone once again,” her father said, surprising her.

  She turned to see him, hands in his pockets, looking as stern as ever. “Dad.” She went to him, wrapping her arms around him and breathing him in.

  Her mother died many years ago when Alex was just a toddler. She had no memories of her. It was a drive-by shooting, and Alex, well, she hadn’t gotten away unscathed either. A bullet had done a through-and-through on her leg. One rival war gang had taken his wife and injured his child. Liam had gone to war within hours, and Alex didn’t want to think of the damage he’d done.

  “What are you doing here?” Alex asked, smiling.

  He was the first friendly face she’d seen all evening, and she’d been standing here for two hours, in the same spot. She could barely walk in the heels Roman made her wear. The dress she wore was also uncomfortable, as it went around her neck and fell to the floor. It was completely unflattering, and Alex hated it. Years ago, Liam once told her to choose her battles wisely, and she used that advice in her marriage.

  If she didn’t fight Roman on the simple things like her clothing, then there was a chance for her to fight for something she did want, like freedom, or … something. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but being stuck in his country home or his apartment all day sucked. He’d given her a credit card to go shopping with, but she wasn’t one to shop.

  “Business,” Liam said.

  “Of course. It’s always business.” She had nothing to say.

  “You’re upset.”

  “I’m not.” The lie was easy to say, but he didn’t believe it.

  Liam took a deep breath. “Excuse me.”

  “Dad, don’t,” she said.

  They had already started to gain some attention. Public displays of affection were frowned upon. After she’d hugged her father, a lot of people frowned, clearly talking about her.

  She was the stupid wife of Roman Greco. The outsider. The weirdo with the strange name. She happened to love her name. Admittedly, it was because her dad wanted a boy, but Alex was a nice name. She liked it.

  “I am going to deal with him.”

  “And what, force him to come and stand with me? Why? We have nothing to talk about. I … I don’t fit in here.” She hated how pitiful she sounded.

  “Sweetheart, you fit anywhere you want to be.”

  “No, I don’t. You didn’t raise me to be…” She looked toward the women who were in their own private circle. She’d never been part of the in crowd, never cared to be. This was no different. “This.”

  “Alex,” he said, and she held her hand up, stopping him.

  “Please, don’t. I don’t need my dad trying to deal with my husband.” Even saying the word husband was difficult. She had never intended to get married. Never wanted to be married. Her parents had never married. According to her father, her mother hadn’t wanted to tie the knot, didn’t feel it was necessary.

  “I didn’t want you to be put in this kind of situation.”

  “You arranged this for us, Dad. How could you not have wanted it?” Alex and Roman were two people who’d never met before their wedding.

  Liam had always kept her far away from his other business dealings. She was aware of it, and he never lied to her about what he was, but that didn’t mean he exposed her unnecessarily.

  The first time she actually met Roman was when she walked down the aisle to him. There had been other opportunities for them to meet, but they had never happened. Mainly because he was busy, like, all the time. Even when she refused to have the virgin test, he hadn’t been present for any of it. His father had.

  “Bringing our families together was necessary,” Liam said. “But that doesn’t mean I wanted you to be miserable. I can fix this.”

  “Dad there’s nothing to fix. I think we’re just strangers, you know. Trying to get used to each other and all
of that.” She forced a smile to her lips, which was again difficult.

  She’d never been a good liar. Liam had told her many times that she was terrible at it. The worst person, and he’d even advised her not to attempt it when she was older either. He probably had the nicest, easiest kid to hang out with. She had never rebelled against him. They had an amazing relationship, father and daughter.

  Liam’s nostrils flared as he looked toward Roman.

  Her husband was looking back at her, and she couldn’t exactly read the look on his face, but she could imagine he was … pissed. Maybe something more, she wasn’t sure. Either way, he wasn’t happy.

  What more could she do?

  Did he not like her talking to her father?

  “You promise not to make waves?” she asked.

  “I promise not to meddle, but if he does anything, or if in any way you’re scared, you come to me.”

  “Promise.”

  Roman didn’t scare her, not really. Okay, there were a few times he might have made her a little afraid, but at those times, he was angry with someone else, and he just told her to fuck off or to get out of his face.

  They didn’t have the best communication, and what also didn’t help was that she hated confrontation. Rather than call him out on the crap he said, she left it.

  Liam pulled her in for another hug, and she saw everyone’s disapproval. What kind of family was this?

  “Mr. Smith, I heard you’d joined us,” Lucas Greco, Roman’s father, said.

  She pulled away from her father in an attempt to create a little space. The two men shook hands, and Roman made that his cue to join them.

  Alex stayed perfectly still, not saying anything.

  Lucas glanced at her, and she saw the disapproval on his face. He hadn’t liked that she refused to be part of the virgin test. The man didn’t believe in trust. It was completely clear to see with the way he treated her.

  As far as he was concerned, she was a hussy, or whatever word he used to describe her.

  “It’s a nice gathering,” Liam said. “How could I turn down a personal invite from you. Roman?” He nodded at her husband.

  She stared at her father, who looked at the distance between them. Alex wasn’t going to step closer to the man she couldn’t stand.

  Silence descended upon the group. It was because of her.

  “I think I would like some fresh air,” she said. “Lovely party.”

  Without waiting for a word, she turned her back on them and stepped away, finding any excuse to be as far away from them as possible. She didn’t even care to step outside.

  Instead, she found the stairwell in the main corridor and lowered herself, taking a deep breath.

  She hated parties and functions like these. They sucked.

  “Not one for the crowds?”

  Alex looked up to see Antonio Testa, one of Roman’s best friends. She met him on their wedding day when he was Roman’s best man.

  “No, I’m not.” She shrugged. “You?”

  He chuckled. “I just needed a breather from all those women.” He winked and then nodded at where she sat. “Do you want some company?”

  “Sure.” She didn’t see a reason why not.

  Antonio was a large man, and she had no choice but to move a little closer to the banister for him to be able to fit on.

  “You look nice tonight.”

  “Thanks.”

  This was Roman’s best friend, not hers. She didn’t trust him, even though Antonio had never given her any reason not to trust him.

  “I know that Roman can be a little difficult, but you’ve just got to give the guy a chance. He’s under a lot of pressure.”

  She turned to him and then smiled.

  Unless it was her father, she had no intention of talking to strangers about her marriage to Roman. Especially not a best friend.

  “I don’t know if you’re needed in there…”

  “Trying to get rid of me?” He nudged her shoulder.

  Alex frowned, but rather than try to make a big deal out of what was happening, she forced a smile. “I don’t want to be held responsible for, you know, keeping you away from business. I know how important it is for you all.” Antonio had never been overly friendly with her, and she didn’t quite like that he was being so now.

  ****

  Roman Greco hated these small little party get-togethers. His father arranged it as a way of inviting him and his new wife, as well as Liam. He’d seen the older man give her a hug, and he just knew it was a dig at him, or in some way telling him he wasn’t good enough.

  Liam had told him plenty of times that he was merely the best of the worst. He didn’t understand what the big deal was. He married his daughter, and business was going great between them. All the boxes for this union to work had been ticked, and still, Liam looked at him like he wanted to slit his throat.

  It just so happened the feeling was mutual. He didn’t like Liam Smith.

  The man wasn’t mafia, he wasn’t family, and in no way was he blood. There was no denying Liam had worked himself from the ground up, building a reputation for himself and becoming the feared crime boss that he was. His name rivaled the Greco name for fear. Men were loyal to him, and they never, even under threat of torture or being tortured, turned on him.

  Lucas Greco, Roman’s father, had been impressed and wanted to finally meet the man that no one would break from. Not even to save their own skin.

  Who instilled that kind of loyalty?

  The man in front of him was deadly. Roman saw it in the man’s eyes. There was nothing living there, and he heard the rumors that the only person who was ever safe from this man was his daughter, Alex.

  So much rumor and gossip followed this man. Roman didn’t believe it all.

  He sipped at his whiskey and stared at the man over the rim of the glass. He didn’t fear Liam.

  Roman was the only man in the history of the mafia to have killed a man at the ripe old age of ten. Serving his father and the Greco name was in his blood, as was becoming the boss, when his father would hand the reins over to him. Until that time, he still had to do what his father instructed.

  “How is married life treating you?” Liam asked.

  “Fine.” He clenched his teeth, wanting to beat the crap out of the man in front of him. There wasn’t much difference between them in age, just twenty years. Liam was fifty-five years old while he was thirty-five years old.

  Unlike the women in their world, he didn’t have to marry at a young age. Most of their daughters were often betrothed by the age of twelve and married at either eighteen or twenty-one.

  Alex was twenty-one, and she was nothing like the women of his world. She didn’t bow her head or try to be hidden. She held herself tall and proud. There was also defiance within her gaze. His father had told him of her denial to take the virginity test and how Liam refused to enforce it.

  Liam stated that his daughter was a virgin and he believed her.

  Roman didn’t. He also hadn’t fucked her either, hadn’t consummated their marriage. He expected Alex to tell her father they hadn’t had sex, but she still kept quiet.

  He didn’t know what her game was, but he intended to find out.

  No one took him for a fool. When it came to Alex, he already had people in place to find out her weaknesses. So far, she showed none. She had also not proven to be a liar either, which … baffled him.

  Liam chuckled. “Just fine.”

  “I think we should talk business,” Lucas said, interrupting. “I’ve gotten word—”

  “Business is for the morning where booze hasn’t been so freely offered,” Liam said. “Do you think I got to where I am by taking the words of drunken men?” His gaze turned back to Roman. “I have it on good authority that you’ve been with Denise.”

  Roman tensed up. He didn’t know how Liam knew of his ex-lover, or her name, and to be honest, he wasn’t happy with it either.

  He kept his personal life very private, and
his lovers were always protected.

  Since his marriage, he hadn’t enjoyed another woman, not even his wife. He’d been so focused on dealing with the fallout from taking an outsider as a wife. Alex was … so different.

  She didn’t know their customs and often just stood by herself, ignoring everyone, or being ignored, he wasn’t quite sure.

  What was with her? He couldn’t read her.

  Women like Denise, his ex-lover, were interested in power and money. They only wanted what was best for themselves. When it came to Alex, he wasn’t sure what it was. He also couldn’t find out the relevant information he needed to know more about her. Her father kept it all under wraps.

  No one knew anything, and that pissed him off.

  Whenever he had a computer guy onto something, there was always some glitch or problem that stopped him from finding out everything there was about his wife.

  “My son wouldn’t ruin his marriage vows,” Lucas said.

  That wasn’t entirely correct. His father had pulled him to one side and said that if he ever needed to, there were always mistresses who would help deal with his needs. Lucas, besides having a wife, had three mistresses.

  Roman hadn’t been interested in going to another woman. Being married wasn’t what he expected. First of all, he had to make sure Liam didn’t find out he hadn’t actually consummated the marriage.

  The only piece of information he could truly get was that Liam Smith loved his daughter. Adored her. She was treasured by him, and that made her an interesting pawn in this game.

  Liam Smith was an ally, and his father had told him to treat Alex with respect. He had no interest in hurting a woman.

  “I had dinner with Denise at her request, two weeks ago. She had a problem and needed me to fix it.”

  Her boss was getting handsy, and with his and Alex’s marriage announced in the press, people assumed the women in his life were now easy targets.