CHAPTER ONE — The Unexpected Alliance
Lyra's POV
"What the hell is going on here?!" I asked. My voice was firm, my brows were furrowed in anger.
All eyes in the room snapped towards me where I stood at the entrance of the door, my backpack clinging tightly on my shoulders.
I walked to where my Dad and Brent were bowing in front of a man dressed in a Black suit, seated regally, his posture confident and authoritative with two other men who stood, keeping bitter faces like people who were fed sh!t.
"I just asked a question, why's no one answering. And Dad? Why are you bowing in front of someone you can give birth to twice his age?" I said, pointing at the man.
"Your daughter—" the man whom my Dad and Brent were bowing to wanted to say, but I instantly cut him off,
"Oh shut the fuck up you cunt!"
My Dad and Brent gasped, and his companions glared at me like they were going to end me the moment they were ordered to.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I referred to the man, "This man is old enough to be your father. Did your mom not teach you how to respect your elders?"
I nagged, my voice raising each time I spoke.
"No she didn't" the man said in an a very thick accent I recognized was Italian, "How about you teach me, princess"
He rose from his seat, his broad and tall figure standing like a pillar.
"Oh, I gladly will" I walked to where his giant figure was standing, "bend your head" I ordered.
His brows furrowed in confusion, but he still obeyed. I balled my knuckles into a fist, raised my arm higher as I could, then landed a knock right at the middle of his head.
He grunted, rubbing his head gently.
Dad and Brent gasped once again. The man's companion lunged at me angrily, but he signalled them to stop.
I raised my hand to knock him for the second time, but my dad grabbed my wrist.
"What do you think you're doing Lyra?" He scolded me then turned to the stranger. "I apologize on her behalf. Please overlook her mistakes, she's just immature"
"Immature?" I scoffed, my anger burning wild like flames, "Dad I'm 20!"
"I can overlook her mistakes," he said in a cold voice, his gaze not leaving me," And clear your debt too, if you will let me take her as my bride"
I scoffed. Then let out a menacing laugh, "you've finally lost it mister!"
He smirked, then sat back on the chair, crossing his legs.
But he said debt? Well, that aside for now.
"Look—"
"Enough Lyra. Enough!" Dad cut me off,"Excuse us, please" he said to the man, dragging me out the living room with Brent following us behind.
"What's wrong with you?" Dad questioned almost a whisper as soon as we got out of their sights.
"I should be the one asking that." I whispered back, glaring at them," What is wrong with the both of you? Why were you both bowing to that low-budget King, or whoever he is?"
"Low-budget King you say?" Brent let out a small, bitter laugh, "The man standing out there, the one you just referred to as a "low-budget King" is the Sicilian mafia underboss"
I staggered back, blinking while I tried to process what my brother just said.
That man? A mafia Underboss?!
No damning way!
Yes, he looked dangerous. He had a few tatts on his knuckles but then….. Never ever did I expect a Mafia Underboss to be in our home!
"Tell me you're joking, Brent"
"Why the devil will I joke with something so serious?!" Brent gritted his teeth.
"You were supposed to be at school, why the hell did you have to come home? Just why?" Dad said as he paced back and forth.
I just came back home because I missed my family and I badly wanted to see them. How the heck was I supposed to know my family would have a silly, mysterious connection with a Mafia organization— the Sicilian mafia at that!
Screw me! I shouldn't have overreacted the way I fucking did!
"It might look like the underboss had given us two options to choose one but in reality, the options are three. It's either you agree to marry or we pay the money this instant or….." Brent hesitated.
"Or what, Brent? Tell me already" I urged, eager to hear what the last option was.
"Or our heads will be served to you on a golden platter, and you'll still end up getting married to him. That's how ruthless the Sicilian mafia is" Dad explained.
I shifted back, tears rolling down my face. My hands trembled, my throat became dry.
How did my Dad and Brother cross paths with these kinds of men? To the extent of lending money?
"How much is the money and what was it used for?"
They hesitated.
"C'mon both of you, there's no point hiding anything from me anymore. Just spill the beans"
"50 million dollars. It was used for your operation" Dad's calm voice said.
"What?!" My eyes bulged out in shock.
"Five years ago, when Mom had left us, you fell ill and the doctor had diagnosed valvular Heart disease and said your heart valve was severely damaged. You needed to be operated on urgently, but the doctors had requested for a deposit before the operation commenced. We had no penny, but we were so desperate for you to stay alive and that was how it resulted in this— lending money from the Sicilian organization." Brent explained.
So, it was me.
I was the Genesis of the whole thing.
My Dad and brother had to risk their lives for me. But I ended up adding fuel to the fire.
I wiped the tears that had rolled down my face, my mind made up. If marrying the Sicilian mafia underboss would guarantee the safety of my family and also clear the debt, then, so be it. I was a thousand and one ready to do it.
"I will do it, Dad," I announced. "I'll marry him"
They both raised their brows, stunned.
"Have you gone nuts? The Sicilian mafia Don is so strict and traditional. You won't last half an hour with him" Brent said, his voice laced with concern.
"It does matter"
"It does, sweetheart." dad mumbled
"Well, my mind is made up"
I stormed off to the living room where the mafia underboss was, smoking a cigar with his accomplices still standing behind him like guards.
A sly smirk played on the side of his lip as soon as he saw me.
"Hai presso in considerazione la mia alleanze, principessa? (You've taken my alliance into consideration, princess?) "
If only I knew what he meant. The word I understood in Italian was "Sí(yes).
"You won't threaten or torture my family or ask them for the money we owe after I agree to the alliance, right?" I went straight to the point.
"Sí, principessa" he nodded.
I sucked in my breath, clenching the hem of my cardigan,
"Then I agree"
He sighed, his smirk didn't waver as he rose, straightening his black well tailored Tux.
"Alright then, the engagement is next week. On Tuesday. We're getting married immediately after the engagement" he said.
All I could do was nod. It felt like there was a massive lump in my throat preventing me from talking.
"See you on Tuesday, princess"