I'm Yours, Mafia Lord

Chapter One

Bella Jaun

“Are you defiling your father again, Jaun?”

I sat at the end of the long mahogany table,my hands clenched tightly in my lap at my mother's statement.

Again? That statement alone was something I never wanted.

“Again? Mother? Are you saying I shouldn't have chosen my ambition as an artist too?” I blared, my eyes red in anger.

The air in the room was thick with tension, suffocating, as my father leaned back in his leather chair, his expression cold and unreadable as ever.

“It was the only way of saving you from the DiMaggio family but now you've only caused an attraction to them.” My father's rough voice filled the air, making me raise a brow at him.

“What is so hard in a statement like this? ‘Dimaggio, my daughter is in no time for marriage or DiMaggio, my daughter is already in love with someone.” I flared and in an Instance, a hard slap landed across my face, sending pains to my whole body as I winced out.

“You will not talk to me in a condescending manner. I won't tolerate that. Now listen, Bella, you'll marry Dylan Dynamo DiMaggio next week and it is final.”

The words hit me like a slap to my face and for a moment, his words made me speechless. I stood abruptly, the legs of my chair making scratchy sounds on the tiled floor.

“Absolutely not,” I snapped, my voice trembling in fury and disbelief. “You cannot just hand me over like... like some business deal!”

His sharp gaze met mine and I quickly averted it, not bothering to look at him.

“This isn’t about you, Jaun. It’s about the family.”

“The family?” I spat the word as though it burned my tongue. “What about me, Father? Don’t I have a say in my own life? I have a fiance and you know that”

My father’s jaw tightened. For a moment, he said nothing, his silence more charming than any words. And I could see across my mother's face, she was nervous.

“You’ve lived a life of privilege and safety,” my father finally said, his tone low and measured. “You don’t understand the kind of threats we face every day. This marriage is the only way to ensure that both Juan and DiMaggio survive what’s coming. I can't decline an offer when it is benefitting me. I can't lose because of your fiance. Dylan's father and I have worked too long and sacrificed too much to let it all fall apart now.”

My fists tightened at my sides at his statement. He really was saying this now?

What was I supposed to say to Matthew? We are engaged to be married for fuck sake! They are putting me in a tighter spot and not considering me at all. “Sacrificed too much? You’re asking me to sacrifice my life, my freedom, for the sake of your empire! How is that fair? What am I supposed to tell Matthew? That you are making a sacrifice that would benefit me? After obviously having hands in our marriage.”

My father stood, his broad frame covering my face. “I will return every dime to him, Jaun. Life isn't fair, Juan. And in this family, you don't get to run from responsibility. You'll do as you're told.”

I felt like tearing up. I needed space to breathe. To think at 27 I wouldn't have right over my life was a disaster.

I was helpless and frustrated. “And what about Dylan?” I demanded, my arm crossed. “Does he even want this, or is he just as much a pawn in your game as I am?”

But he only made an irritated look at me . “Dylan understands what’s at stake. He’s a man who knows his duty.”

I turned to my mother, the tears I was holding trickling down my face, as I silently pleaded for her support. But she simply averted her eyes away, her hands trembling as she sips her tea.

“And you too? I am done here.” I said and headed up the stairs but instead of them shouting my name to come down, they didn't. It was unusual and I knew there was no turning back this time, like I did 7 years ago.

~~~

“What? Dylan? Like Dylan Dynamo DiMaggio? Does he know your family? Are you getting married to him? Betrothal?” My best friend, Bethel, bombarded me with a series of questions and I was pretty sure her face had widened in shock.

I sighed tiredly. I needed someone. Someone to at least calm me down but she wasn't even here or near San Francisco. She was out of the USA, making something for her life.

“Okay okay. I am sorry for being this way but it can't escape the exaggeration. You know how this Mafia's can be. Gwad.” She cursed inwardly between the connections.

The night air was cool against my skin as I stood onto the balcony of my bedroom. I could see our estate perfectly stretched out in order.

“Are we mute now? Bella.” Bethel said over the phone. I gripped the Iron railing tightly, my knuckles turning white as tears started to stream down my face.

The thought of marrying Dylan "Dynamo" DiMaggio,a man I barely knew but had heard enough about to hate, made my stomach twist in disgust. He was everything I loathed about this life, cold,ruthless, and completely void of love , feelings and compassion.

He didn't and never valved people's lives.

“What am I supposed to do with Matthew?” I asked and I heard a louder gasp like she had forgotten about my fiance.

Mere staring at the diamond ring he gave me, in my finger sent shivers down my spine.

“I…..

A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts and I turned to see my younger brother, Nico, peeking through the door with a reluctant look.

“Bethel, I will get back later.” I said and ended the call.

“Juan,” he said softly, stepping inside. “I heard... Father told you about the arrangement.”

My shoulders wavered as I nodded. “If by ‘told ‘ you mean ordered me to ruin my life, then yes, he told me. And also told me about all he had invested in me. Meanwhile, he did nothing when I was in my painting school.”

I turned towards him and he frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you want.”

“What I want doesn’t matter,” I muttered bitterly, cleaning up my tears as he approached me in a cautious way, his hands in his pockets.”

“Dylan DiMaggio… he might not be as bad as people say.”

I turned to him sharply at his statement. “Not as bad? Nico, he’s a killer. A cold, calculating criminal who only cares about power. The families he killed are in my record book. No one dares to question him. Not even the detectives. How could you even defend him?”

“I’m not defending him,” Nico quickly said. “I’m just saying... Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think. You’re strong, Jaun. Stronger than Father gives you credit for. If anyone can hold their own against someone like Dylan, it’s you.”

His words were supposed to let me feel better, powerful, capable and in hold of the situation but it only made me worse with my thoughts and feelings of trappiness.

“Father said he would be coming over tomorrow to make preparations.” Nico said and I turned towards him in shock.

“What?”