The Badass Mafia Boss Queen

I looked at the ring continuously. The words I wanted to say all got stuck somewhere in my throat.

“I’ll definitely kill you.” I whispered more to myself but his sharp sense of hearing picked up my words.

“Perhaps you might consider getting married to me, get the papers signed before you hope for my death, baby. At least then you’d be entitled to everything I owe. It’s worth a thought right?” He asked making such an annoying sarcastic sound with his voice.

“I don’t want anything from you,” I hissed, wrapping my arms around myself tightly.

“An inexpensive wife to be. How unexpected,” he said, lying down on the big sized bed, making sure to maintain his side. “Good night, baby.” He turned off his bedside lamp.

“I’m never having sex with you, Hollis.”

“Never say never.” He replied with such a calm voice that I wondered if he understood what I said.

“You’ll give me my space and privacy. Don’t meddle. I don’t want to be uncomfortable here.” I waited for a reply but I got none. When it was obvious he wouldn’t say a word to me, I turned to the my side of the bed. At least I’m certain he heard me.

With my bedside lamp being the only source of light in the room, I stared at the sparkly rock on my finger. A mix of anger, disappointment, a bit of happiness and guilt. This was the first time I was sleeping on this bed and the first time Hollis was sleeping on the same bed with me.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“We’ll visit my parents by weekend.” He made another disclosure that rocked my senses in a nauseous way.

I wanted to tell him I that I won’t be going to see his parents even if he forced me, but I know I couldn’t because he would drag me to his parents if he needed to.

“Goodnight.” I finally whispered. My eyes remained glued to the diamond on my finger until I pretty much dozed off.

******

The early morning sunlight filtered through the iron wrought windows of a room that had several training facilities set up like a Dojo.

The sun cast its warm glow over the polished wooden floor. I stood in the center of the room, wearing a pair of dark pants and tank top with a few padding below my belly, elbow joint and knee. My tinted hair was pulled back in a tight bun.

“Show me what you’ve got, U.” Maxine’s voice echoed in the room.

He watched as I kicked through a pad of weight, my movements fluid and precise, a testament to my years of rigorous practice.

I saw Maxine observing my performance with arms crossed over his chest. As I finished up with a powerful kick, Maxine’s expression softened, and a proud smile graced his lips.

“Excellent, U,” He praised.

On other days, I would have been so thrilled and excited. But this morning, I was too pissed and angry at almost everybody, myself included. Just yesterday morning, I was a mere visitor here, something about being Hollis’s woman or whatever stupid name he called it. Barely twenty-four hours later, I’m wearing his goddamn engagement ring as his fiancee.

Can life get less complicated than that! Maxine’s deep voice brought me back to reality. “Your form is impeccable, but there is always room for improvement. You’ve covered the basics well enough. So, you need to move on to some more advanced drills. Are you up for it?”

“God knows I am.” I swore under my breath.

“Someone is definitely upset this morning. Mind telling me what’s bugging you?”

I wonder what he wanted to know. Between everything that transpired with me and his brother last night, or the fact that I woke up curled up on his brother’s body like he was some form of big teddy bear, giving him the joy of making jest of me or the fact that I’m being forced into an entanglement I don’t think I want. That’s the word, I don’t think I want it. period!

“Your brother is driving me nuts.” I finally chose a gentler summary of the situation I’ve found myself in.

“That’s not such a bad thing.” Maxine smiled. “If it’s any consolation, I think you’re driving him nuts too.”