CHAPTER 5:POSSESSIVE NERO

~Amara.

Nero worshipped Luca and Lucia.

My intelligent children immediately knew he had to be their dad because in less than a week they had bonded so much.

Luca adored his father. It was almost amusing to watch my formerly boisterous son cuddle up to his father for approval. Lucia turned “daddy’s pet” overnight, and suddenly my own kids decided I wasn’t much fun.

I was hurt but even more surprised by the change in the Mafia God. He was a whole new person whenever he visited them in the hospital.

“Having second thoughts, are we?”

I spun to catch a glimpse of the figure at the doorway.

Fiona, Nero’s nana, walked in with a huge parcel. I squinted to discern its content. Fiona was in her late forties and had taken care of Nero as a kid.

That made up the comfortable trio Nero permitted himself to get comfortable with.

Fiona, Marco—who I’ve only heard about and not seen—and Vita, a woman he saved from a trafficking ring as a young teenager, and she had stuck to his side since.

According to Fiona, she was very protective of Nero, which explained why most of the time I’d seen her together with him and mostly behind closed doors.

I padded out of the see-through bathroom and sat in front of my dressing mirror to towel myself dry before replying to Fiona.

“Like I have a choice at having one.” I replied caustically then apologized, “Sorry... being married to the Mafia God was one of my nightmares as a kid.”

Fiona chuckled and pulled out a white dress that turned out to be my wedding gown… handfully picked by you-know-who.

“You’ll be surprised by how many women out there would want to be you right now, especially after he’d looked for you for ages.”

She winked, her melodious voice ringing out. She must have been a breathtaking woman as a young woman. Anybody listening to her now would think Nero and I were in some kind of Cinderella fairytale romance when it was actually Beauty and the Beast, and in this edition, the beast ate her up.

That’s right, today’s my wedding day to Nero, and I had no say in it because it was either that or my children. I didn’t doubt Nero could take my children from me for one sec… that man was in the business of taking lives after all.

The news of Nero’s upcoming marriage was the hottest search on the internet all over the world. Everyone wanted a glimpse of the “lucky woman” who had ensnared the heart of the most ruthless man that never kissed the same woman twice.

If only they knew Nero had no heart, I thought as I glanced at myself in the mirror.

Fiona was a godsend. She had made me look almost ethereal.

“You look like an angel, child,” Fiona complimented, with wet eyes.

I smiled warmly for the first time this morning. Internally, I was very terrified. What if due to my close proximity to Nero, he found out who I really was?

He hadn’t asked questions about the children’s hair—yet. I donned my wedding gown with Fiona’s help and veiled my face. Soon, I was ready to go to the church.

“You’re going to be okay,” Fiona reassured softly, framing my face with both hands and kissing my forehead. “It’s Nero who should be scared of you.”

Yup, Nana suddenly developed a great sense of humour.

With a deep exhale, I walked out of the room with Fiona holding on to the tail of my bridal train all the way to the lawn.

Black cars of different limited-edition models lined the expanse of Nero’s property.

The whole who-is-who all over the world landed last night for the wedding.

I sighted the car marked “bride’s car” and began walking up to it quietly, trying to catch who I judged to be the mysterious Marco standing by it.

I almost made it before he spun and I froze in my tracks.

“Always knew you’d make a stunning bride… just didn’t know how stunning.”

I inhaled sharply. No way.

“Marco!!” I breathed.

He smiled, the familiar creases of his face lighting up as he walked towards me.

“Long time no see, Amara.”

“Marco!!” I breathed again like I couldn’t believe he’d be the one. Flooded by emotions, I hiked my gown to run to him, but just when I wanted to throw my arms around him, his smiling expression suddenly ceased and a look of panic crossed his eyes. He stepped back at the last minute, and I would have fallen if he hadn’t caught me—carefully.

Fiona walked up, a look of worry in her eyes. I wondered why.

Marco cleared his throat. “Get in.”

I did, while Fiona bundled my dress into the car.

Right then, Vita made it out of the building and into a waiting car with a wedding gown similar in design to mine—just that it was in black, her expression one of disdain and anger several Lamborghinis behind.

I got my answer then. Nero was more than just a boss to her.

I stared at the blonde back of Marco’s hair all the way to the church. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. What was Marco doing working as Nero’s Consigliere? Marco was a very warm gentleman at heart… why would he suddenly enjoy taking lives?

He had changed somewhat, I noticed. He no longer had that ready smile anymore, and his silence now told me he was being guarded towards me, which was weird. Maybe he was still angry about the stunt I pulled years back.

“Marco—”

“Shush… not another word.”

He ordered harshly. I blinked.

He suddenly stopped the car.

He turned to the male guard beside him.

“Get out.”

The guard hesitated. “Why? The boss said I should ride with you and his wife to the church.”

Marco’s hand balled into fists.

“If I repeat myself, it’ll be to a corpse.” He stated matter-of-factly.

Appalled, I watched the guard exit the car immediately. I turned to stare back at him. What in hell had happened to Marco?

“You didn’t have—”

“You wanted to hug me back at the penthouse, it was a good thing I stepped back just in time. Nero would have had my head for hugging his wife, Amara.” He tilted the rearview mirror to look at me. He smiled. “You look different… good. Amara.”

I exhaled, mirroring his smile. “I think this whole Nero’s wife thing is being overrated.”

Marco barked a scoff. “Tell that to everyone who bore the brute of his anger each day that passed and he hadn’t found you.”

“Enough about me… What happened to you, Marco?”

“Life happened, Amara. Now’s my turn, why did you leave my house that night?”

I blinked and looked out of the window. How do I confess that I had a massive crush on him?

“The way I see it,” he went on, “you must have found out you were pregnant with Nero’s kids and you bailed out of the country.” He looked at me again. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have supported you, Amara… you know that.”

I nodded frantically. “I do… just wanted a change of scenery for my kids. You know… not being a loser and everything.”

“Hey, Amara… if there’s something you’re not, it’s being a loser. And please, keep your questions to yourself, I’ll only permit two questions for each day… the way I see it, you have a lifetime to ask me as many questions as you want without Nero cutting off my head for being all cosy with his wife.”

He winked, and we shared a laugh for the first time in two years. God, that felt good.

“Is that a contact lens?”

He arched a brow. “That’s your question? I’m hurt. Had to change it to black. Being a blonde guy with blue eyes helps you none in the underworld. People don’t take you seriously.”

I whispered the next question. “Then what are you doing here? We both know you’d be the last person to shed blood.”

I watched an alien expression I’ve never seen flicker in his eyes before they were replaced by a smile.

“Well then, here’s to me doing exactly that.”

He tipped evasively and laughed. I joined in too, uneasily. Something was up with Marco.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I almost wished I’d agreed to give up custody.

Black cars and private jets littered the entire churchyard. Camera flashes threatened to blind me. Seals of world politicians with ties to the mafia were all over. Dons of different feared Mafia outfits were in attendance. Another airplane flew overhead.

I had underestimated just how powerful Nero was because judging by this, I might as well be getting married to a member of the world power.

Reporters jostled to get a photo of me. Marco kept strict watch over me, increasing security detail to form a 10-foot barricade around me, knowing fully well of my fear for crowded places.

I held onto Marco all the way up into the church. I gasped, setting eyes on Nero where he stood beside the priest on the altar, watching me… waiting for me as Marco walked me down the aisle.

My stomach flipped at the sight of his blazing gold eyes fixed on me, his handsome angled face shone. He had tied his long curly black hair in a bun at the back of his head and was clad in a three-piece black tuxedo.

“Who would have thought you would be the reason Nero puts on a suit?”

Marco sneered rhetorically, and I fought to hold in a chuckle. I shoved him gently.

Inhaling deeply, Marco gave my hand to Nero who walked me to the altar. I avoided contact with his blazing eyes.

“Wow… how you’ve put the angels to shame with your beauty, miss.”

The priest complimented, entranced, and I blushed my thank you.

“Get to work!”

Nero snarled at the priest, who immediately opened up the Bible and in less than five minutes… I, Amara Skyes, pledged to be Amara De Santoro forever.

Amara De Santoro.

A smile curved my lips at the thought. That sounded a lot better than Amara Salvador.

I looked at faces in the church and spotted Milo giving me the “eye” and Celestina discussing in hushed tones.

I exhaled in how this must have been a shocker for them. Being Nero’s wife meant I would never have to pander to their whims anymore.

I slid Marco a glance, and he winked. I smiled. I knew that he knew that I had seen them.

He must have invited them himself just to rub my power marriage in their faces.

It was soothing to know that we hadn’t yet lost the ability to read each other’s mind even after two years. It was also scary.

Did that mean I haven’t gotten over him?

The doors of the church suddenly swung open and Nico Salvador walked in.

I felt Nero’s mood change immediately and heard him bark a low command.

Discreetly, I watched as the guards armed themselves and went into formation. Nero himself unholstered an automatic I never knew he had concealed under his jacket.

One by one, I watched suited men in the crowd slyly unholster their guns.

Normal people wouldn’t have noticed what was happening, but for people attuned to the mafia, they knew that if not handled properly, a bloodbath was about to ensue.

“What are you doing here, Nico?”

Nero growled lowly, the sound of it causing the hair at the back of my neck to rise. I was really nervous. I have grown to hate Mafia violence since my parents—

“My consigliere’s youngest daughter is getting married today… of course he invited me.”

Of course, why hadn’t I thought of that? The Skyes would waste no opportunity to ruin any good thing for me.

“Get her in the car, Marco.” He grated his teeth, and I could see from his blazing gold eyes just how angry he was. He turned to me. “I’ll join you shortly.”

I nodded, and soon I was herded to the car with security details fit for the president.

I was accosted by the Skyes. Marco tried to scare them away, but I gave him the sign to let them. They squeezed their way past the guards and stood before me.

“If it isn’t Amara De Santoro,” Silvano chirped sarcastically.

I sighed.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“To see you get married, of course. Didn’t think we’d let you get married without us, right? I must say I’m shocked because what’s Nero doing with a lowlife like you?”

“He probably left you at the altar,” Celestina cooed, glancing at Nero who was in a heated debate with Nico. She turned back. “It’s a good thing because for now… I am Nero’s mother-in-law.”

“For now?” I echoed, and Silvana twirled her hair dramatically.

“Yes… I’ve decided to give Nero a try. See if I can get him to throw you out and make me his wife.”

I laughed to their consternation. “Be my guest.”

I said and walked off.

Milo popped in front of me. I stared at him, unblinking.

“Move.”

His lips tightened. “That’s no way to talk to your father.”

I spat at him. “Bastardo. My father is dead.”

His hand came up then to strike me, and I reflexively closed my eyes, waiting for the sound and the sting of his palm connecting to my face.

It never came.

“Are you okay?”

I opened my eyes to see Marco’s eyes boring into mine as he held Milo’s hand at an odd angle and applied pressure.

I could only nod.

“Think twice before doing that next time.”

Marco bit out, and the snapping sound of bone breaking split the air as Marco twisted his fingers.

The media were having a field day. The sound must have attracted Nero because in the blink of an eye he was beside me, his eyes searching me. He cocked a gun at the groaning man’s head.

I laid a hand on his arm to stop him.

“How dare you lift a hand against my wife?”

He thundered, and the Skyes lifted their hands in surrender.

“We were just having family conversation.”

“A conversation?” Nero let out. “Without my permission? What makes you think you’re fit to talk to my woman?”

Okay… I was certainly blushing.

Silvana smiled patronisingly. “You must have misunderstood. We’re her siblings.”

Nero levelled the gun and fired an inch from her ear. Marco covered my ears just in time before the gun resounded and screams lit the air.

“Count yourself lucky for being under the protection of the Salvadors but if this repeats itself, I’ll spill your blood in her name.”

Without another word, Nero’s hand settled on the small of my back as he turned and led me out of the church.

His gang members followed close behind.

“Are you fighting my battles now, Nero?”

I asked as soon as we got into the car. He quirked at the question.

“So was I supposed to watch while he laid his hand on you?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Nero wasn’t done.

“You don’t get it, do you? Any man who touches you, risks gambling with what he can’t afford—his life.”

His eyes slid in degrees from my face to my lips and then to my cleavage. The way he licked his lips had my feminine juices bubbling.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I whispered breathlessly, and he caressed my lips, a seductive glint in his eyes.

“If you knew what I think each time I look at you, Amara… you’d run… and I’ll catch you.”