THREE

ANTHONIO ARMANI.

No woman dares to hit me and go scot free without her bones broken, not just a woman, no one. But there was something about her that caught my attention. She was fierce, and determined to get what she wanted and she wasn’t scared to lose her life in the process, these were the traits I needed in a wife, a woman that would become the Queen of the Turkish Mafia. I knew I had to have her, so I immediately sent a threat to her father to ensure that she becomes my wife within 24 hours. I scared him so badly that he even sent her down to Turkey without second thoughts. I pity the poor woman, her own father wasn’t even willing to fight for her.

“What you are doing is so wrong Anthonio, how can you force her to marry you knowing very well that you love someone else?” My friend, Daniel said, he was very worried about her. “You are not only ruining one woman’s life, but two, this is wrong, Anthonio.” he pressed.

“Can you keep shut?” I seethed. No one dares speak to me like that, but Daniel could speak to me however he wanted and he was aware that I would do nothing.

“Anthonio, this is wrong,” he said.

“Do you expect me to have a super model as the Queen of the mafia’s? Huh?” I asked and he said nothing. “I and Angelia have spoken about this, she is aware that it is her whom I love and not that woman whose name I don't even know.” I said. Daniel shook his head pitifully.

“What about that woman? Don’t you think there could have been someone she had wanted to marry?” he asked.

“That is none of my business, all I know is that I have done what my father required of me to do, which is marry a woman of mafia descent before I could marry whomever I wanted.” I replied.

“What if she decides to date outside your marriage? Would you like that?” Daniel questioned. I formed a very tight fist.

“Why are you so concerned about her?” I asked.

“Because it is unfair to her that you manipulated her father into this marriage.” he said, his eyes filled with rage.

“It is not my fault that her father doesn’t care about her.” I replied. I wasn’t guilty about anything, her father ruined her life and not me. “Enough about her, how many people are coming for dinner?” I asked, he glared at me before replying.

“Just five families.” he responded curtly.

“Drop that attitude Daniel.” I said while I flipped through pages of the document in my arms.

“Are you taking her to dinner?” he asked, I nodded, signaling a yes. He didn’t say much and packed his papers and was about to leave my study.

“Could you do me a favor Daniel?” I asked, he turned around, a quizzical expression on his face.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Take the dress on the table to her and make her wear it.” I commanded, he reluctantly picked up the bag with the dress and stormed out of my room. Something about him seemed fishy, I couldn’t help but think he knows her from somewhere, but that was impossible. I and Daniel grew up together and I know everyone he knows and anywhere he goes to, and never has he been to Italy without my knowledge. I decided to stop thinking too much and work on my papers, when I was done. I decided to go check on my supposed wife. I arranged my documents and headed for her room, the door went up as soon as I laid my thumbs on its keyhole. I knew she was too smart so I had to lock her up in a smart room.

As I approached the room, I heard her laughing and Daniel speaking, I was too stunned to move, I walked in further and there was an actual smile on her face as she ate. I couldn’t even speak, I just heard Daniel telling her about guns and she was responding and telling him how much she hated using a Maverick.

“Maybe when my friend decides to let you out of here, I’ll take you to our weapon room and I can show you a Bruiser.” Daniel said to her and she smiled.

“Ugh Ugh!” I decided to make my presence known by clearing my throat. She was startled, but Daniel turned around and smiled at me.

“Anthonio, you’re here!” he said, I walked toward them and stared at her. Her face immediately formed a scowl as soon as she sighted me.

“Why isn’t she dressed?” I asked, she was still wearing her manly clothes.

“She had to eat first.” Daniel replied, he stood to his feet.

“Koko, I’ll see you in the evening,” he said. Koko? Was that a nickname for her or was that her real name? I didn’t even know her name.

“Okay.” She responded to him. Daniel walked out of the room and left me and her together.

“Get dressed now.” I commanded, she dropped the plate of food and glared at me.

“What makes you think you can boss me around and make me do whatever you want?” She said, she seemed stronger.

“The husband is superior to the wife, so you better do as I say.” I said and she laughed out loud, she reached for a cup of water and sipped it.

“You must be sick to have such low thinking of a woman, superio my foot.” She said, she was clearly irritated.

“You can say whatever you want to say, just make sure you get dressed or I’ll make you.” I threatened. She rolled her eyes and looked at the dress.

“Get out!” She said.

“Excuse me?” I was angry and confused.

“I want to get dressed, you imbecile.” She rudely said. I tried to control my anger.

“You have ten minutes.” I said before stepping out. I waited outside for her for ten minutes and then walked back into the room to find her dressed. She looked very beautiful, despite the fact that she had no makeup on.

“Come with me.” I said, she nodded. She was acting suspicious, I knew she was up to something. She didn’t say a thing and walked behind me, I grabbed her arm and she tried to pull it out of mine.

“You better behave yourself!” I warned.

“I didn’t ask you to make me your wife, so I shall do as I please.” She said, I immediately pinned her to the wall.

“You better stop acting smart with me, or else I’ll break every bone in your body.” I said and she laughed.

“You men think women are weak,”

She chuckled. “I’ll make you suffer and pay for making me your wife, and that’s a promise.” She stated. I heard some noises from the hallway so I unpinned her. I grabbed her arm harshly and pulled her towards the dressing room. There were maids there who would do her hair and her makeup, I couldn’t have a rough woman standing next to me.

As soon as we entered the room, the maids looked down, avoiding eye contact. "Get her ready in ten minutes, understood?" I said, and they all nodded or replied affirmatively.

“I’m not getting my makeup done.” She turned and said to me.

“You have no choice!” I said, she seemed defeated. She walked over to the chair and sat down. The maids hurriedly began their work while I stared at my wristwatch. The dinner will begin in fifteen minutes and I needed to be there before them, it was an official dinner to introduce my wife to the other mafia’s.

“Stop!” I said, ten minutes had passed. The maids all paused and I walked over to her, she looked very pretty. Almost prettier than Angelia, I took in a deep breath, trying to focus. I walked over to the shelf and picked a pair of heels, I bent on my knees and she watched me as I picked her feets and wore her heels. Her skin was so soft, and clean.

“Come!” I said and she held my arm. We both walked out of the room and headed down the hallway that led to the dinning hall. As soon as we appeared in front of the room, the entire men stood to their feet. Some stared at her in astonishment, while others stared at her in shock.

“Sit!” I said and they did as I instructed. I led her to her chair and made her sit next to me. Then I sat down and signaled for the maids to serve as all. As soon as we all served, they all began to eat but she didn’t, she kept staring at the food.

“Eat!” I said, she didn’t budge. She looked away from me and continued staring at the food weirdly.

“Good evening guys!” Daniel said as soon as he walked into the dinning room, he immediately took the seat next to my wife. Her eyes lightened up as soon as she saw him. He whispered into her ear and she chuckled. Then suddenly he signaled for a maid and some Italian food was brought and served to her, this whole situation was strange to me. I couldn't help but wonder if they knew each other before this meeting. Was there something between them that I wasn't aware of? Did she have a crush on him or something? It was all so peculiar, especially since they had just met today.

“Thank you all for coming.” I said, the other leaders smiled and muttered words. “I would love to introduce you all to my Queen, your Queen…” I said, I didn’t know her name so I tried to ask her.

“What’s your name?” I questioned.

“Kate.” She said.

"My Queen, Kate," I said, as Daniel struggled to stifle his laughter. I ignored him and proposed a toast to her, which we all honored. After exchanging pleasantries, I called it a night, and everyone departed. Daniel also excused himself, leaving Kate and me alone in the room.

"Have you known Daniel before today?" I asked, but Kate glared at me. "No," she replied, her eyes scanning the room suspiciously. "The worst thing you can do is give a criminal a spoon," she said cryptically. I didn't understand her meaning until she stabbed me in the arm with a spoon, eliciting a pained scream.

Kate hastily removed her heels and fled, while I sought medical attention instead of chasing her. I made my way to the nurse, who promptly treated my wound. As I recovered, I called the head guard. "My wife is trying to escape. Let her go, don't try to stop her," I instructed, and they acknowledged. Kate will soon realize who controls this city. Trying to flee from me is futile.