In the Arms of the Cruel Don

Chapter 01 — You'll Have to Marry!

Klaus.

I wake up with one hell of a hangover, take a long cold shower, throw on something casual, and head downstairs. The moment I walk into the living room, I spot Hector, one of the mafia's council members.

"Hector, what a surprise seeing you this early."

I say, greeting him.

"It's already noon, Klaus, but it's good to see you."

"Please, have a seat."

I say, and we settle onto the sofa.

"I won't even bother asking what brought you here — I already know."

I say, and he raises an eyebrow.

"Excellent! That saves me some time. Klaus, you can't keep acting like a teenager for the rest of your life. You're one of the Dons of Manchestary — the only one among your brothers who still hasn't married. That affects how the councils of the other mafias see you. And these little parties of yours every weekend have to stop!"

I give a smile so faint it's almost invisible. These old men are wearing out my patience.

"The council sent you here just to ruin my Monday? If so, mission accomplished."

I say, rising to my feet. He stands as well, refusing to give up.

"Klaus, today at 4:00 p.m. the council is convening, and you have to be there. The main item on the agenda will be your marriage. Either you marry, or your title of Don is finished."

I fix him with a stare like I'm about to devour his soul.

"How dare the council threaten my position in this mafia? Don't forget — I'm the one who gave you that title. And if you ever try to remove me from my own organization, I will personally kill everyone you love, in the worst way imaginable. And you know better than anyone what I'm capable of."

Hector swallows hard and lowers his head.

"Forgive me, sir."

"Now get out of my sight!"

He practically runs, and I head to the kitchen. Nona is my housekeeper — practically a second mother to me.

"Is this really the time to be rolling out of bed?"

She asks, one hand on her hip.

"Nona, don't start. My head feels like it's about to explode."

I say, pressing my hand to it as I drop into a chair.

"I'll get you something for that, son."

She says, heading out. The table was already set, and the food looks incredible as always — but the pain is so bad I don't even feel hungry.

"Here, son."

She says, handing me the medicine.

"Thank you, Nona."

I put the painkiller in my mouth and wash it down with a little water.

"Good morning, boss!"

"Just hearing your voice makes me want to slit your throat."

I say, looking at Felipe — my right-hand man, the only one I trust completely, aside from Angelo, my consigliere, and my brothers, of course.

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you couldn't get it up and left Laura hanging last night."

He says with a grin, sitting down to eat.

"Don't talk nonsense. By the way, do you know where she is?"

I ask, watching him eat like he hasn't seen food in days.

"I took her to her apartment. She was furious with you — left breathing fire."

"She wants me to commit to her, as if I'm stupid enough for that. I made it clear from the beginning that she was just a bit of fun, and she agreed to it."

I say and he nods.

"Oh! Changing the subject — I saw old Hector leaving here with his tail between his legs. What did he want?"

"The usual."

I say with a sigh.

"Brother, I think you'd better face this once and for all. The council has been pushing this for months, and you know they have a point. You're the firstborn of the Cassanos and the only one who hasn't married. Whether you like it or not, that reflects on your image with the other mafias."

I go quiet. I know everyone's right, but ever since what that damned woman did to me, I can't trust anyone. They're all the same.

"Nona, you've got magic hands — this food is better than pussy."

Felipe says, devouring everything in sight.

"Lord have mercy, boy!"

Nona flicks his ear and walks out.

.....

I spent the afternoon at the company headquarters, seriously debating whether to show up to the meeting or not. I glanced at the clock — 4:30 p.m.

"Shit!"

I grab my jacket and rush out of my office.

"Where are you going?"

Felipe asks, walking behind me.

"To the meeting."

We went to the company garage, got in our cars, and drove to Manchestary headquarters.

....

In the conference room, the atmosphere is tense. None of these cowards have the nerve to bring up the marriage themselves — I can tell they're nervous. So Hector passed the message along to all of them. How lovely.

"K-Klaus..."

Luis stammers, and I look at him.

"You already know why we called you here. Well, without further delay — we want you to get married!"

The silence that falls over the room is deafening. Everyone stares at me, waiting for a reaction. But it's Sergio who steals the floor.

"Ahem."

He clears his throat.

"Since you'll be marrying, it's obviously got to be someone from a mafia family — a woman who knows how to carry herself as the wife of a mafia man. With that in mind, I offer you my daughters, Ana and Raquelle. They are the finest options available to you."

He says, pouring all his venom into it. Of course he'd propose that — pushing his whore daughters onto me guarantees him enormous power and influence in the underworld.

"I believe all of our daughters are the finest options for him, not just yours, Sergio."

Hector says, and everyone agrees. Felipe watches me, waiting for any kind of reaction, while the council members grumble about Sergio's remarks. Sergio just smiles, convinced that my gaze is an acceptance of his offer — but the truth is, I'm picturing the sound of his skull cracking while his warm blood splatters across me.

"Enough!"

I slam the table and all the murmuring stops.

"I will get married — but I will choose my own wife. I will not accept any of you meddling in that choice."

I say, cold and steady. Sergio looks at me, confused.

"Don't forget she must be a daughter of Manchestary, as I mentioned before. My daughters—"

"I couldn't care less about your daughters, Sergio."

I say, cutting him off.

"I'll do what you want, but it will be done my way. I'll choose who I want, and that is not up for discussion."

I finish, and stand.

"This meeting is adjourned."

I walk out of the room and Felipe follows.

"Where are we going, boss?"