The Mafia Bride (Katrina and Silas)

Katrina's POV

The betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut and Silas's words echoed in my mind over and over again.

All these while and I thought I actually meant something to Silas, but it seemed tjay was far from the case

His words replayed on and on im my head and I could barely believe it.

"Katrina is the key. If this goes south, we'll use her as leverage."

Leverage? Me? I was his wife, wasn't I? Or maybe I'd been lying to myself this whole time, thinking I mattered to him.

I mean, it was right in front of me.

Pressing my back against the cold wall, I tried to stop my hands from shaking.

I wanted to believe he didn't mean it. That he wouldn't throw me to my father like I was nothing. But deep down, I knew better. Silas always did what was best for the mafia-no matter who got hurt. And he never said he cared about me, we never had that talk.

Iwas just the one who had actually assumed shit just because we we're touching each other now.

But could you blame me?

Looking back at where Silas and his men stood, I realized one thing.

I had to get out of here before it

got

too late.

My breathing was labored as I stepped back, trying to make myself as invisible as

possible.

I couldn't let them see me. If Silas found out I'd overheard their plans, I didn't know what he would do. And let's not talk about this men.

The random realization that I hadn't seen Phillip in a while and I made a mental note to ask Silas about it later. For now I had to leave here alive. The floor creaked under my foot, loud enough to make my heart stop.

Well, fuck.

"Did

you

hear that?" one of the men asked, turning to where I stood. Luckily for me, there was a wall I front of me and it made it hard for them to see me.

I froze in place, not daring to make a single move. My breath caught in my throat as I saw Silas turn his head toward the sound as well, staring straight at me. -God please. I'd do whatever you ask of me if you let me escape from this.

I pleaded, folding my fingers. I had listened to something I wasn't supposed to, now I wasn't certain if Sila would let me go if

he saw me.

His sharp eyes scanned the room like a predator looking for prey

"Check the area," he ordered, his voice commanding.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Oh no. He would see if they searched.

I didn't wait to see what happened next. I turned and hurried back the way I came, my steps quick against the floor.

My only thought was to reach the car. If I could just make it there, maybe I could figure out what to do next. Maybe denying the whole thing would work

I barely made it a few steps before a heavy hand grabbed my arm. pulling me back.

"Got her!" the man shouted, getting the attention of others around him.

"No!" I yanked my arm, trying to free myself, but his grip was like iron. He just wouldn't ley go.

The next thing I knew, Silas was in front of me. His face was calm but the look in his eyes. They frightened me.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice dropping a few bars.

Why was he asking? Does he want to know if I heard them? Or why?

"Answer me. Katrina." Silas growled, grabbing my jaw with his fingers.

I didn't answer. I was too angry, too hurt to open my mouth. Instead stared at him, letting my eyes speak for me.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the warehouse. "You disobeyed me. Again."

When we were outside, he stopped and spun me around to face him. His grip on my wrist was tight, and his expression was unreadable.

"You were listening," he said, more a statement than a question.

I glared at him, my voice trembling with something I couldn't place.

"So what if I was? You were planning to use me against my father! How could you?" I hissed.

Silas didn't flinch. "I do what I have to. You wouldn't understand

I laughed bitterly, tears stinging my eyes. "No, I don't understand! I don't understand how you can look at me every day and act like I mean something to you, then turn around and use me like this."

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You don't get to question me, Katrina. Not when you put yourself in danger."

I couldn't help but scoff, looking away from Silas.

The only thing putting me in danger was him but he wouldn't understand that.

Our chest rose and fell rhythmically, my fiery eyes clashing with his cold ones.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing on my chest. "Put myself in danger?" I shot back, my voice shaking. "You're the one who's putting me in danger! You were going to hand me over like I'm nothing. Like I don't matter!" Unable to stop the outburst I made, I glared at him hard.

Silas's jaw tightened, his grip on my wrist tightening.

"You think this is about you? It's about power."

"Power?" I laughed bitterly, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

"You think power mears throwing your wife to the wolves? You know how my father is. He'll kill me, Silas!"

His eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker in them-regret, guilt, maybe even concern. But it was gone as quickly as it came.

He never acknowledged me as his wife.

"I wouldn't let that happen," He said.

"You're mine, Katrina. No one touches you without my permission."

I yanked my wrist free, my chest heaving with anger. "I'm not a possession, Silas! I'm a person. And I trusted you." My voice broke at the end, and I hated myself for showing weakness in front of him.

For a moment, he just stood there, staring at me. The tension between us was suffocating, and I didn't know whether I wanted to scream at him or cry.

Or maybe. I wanted to do both.

Finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking almost... frustrated. "Get in the car," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I didn't move.

"Katrina," he warned, stepping closer.

"Get in the car. Now."

His commanding tone sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to give in easily. "Why? So you can drag me somewhere else to make another deal?" My voice dripped with sarcasm.

Silas closed his eyes for a moment, as if je tried to control his temper.

He opened them a few moments later, seeming to count down for a while.

"Just get in. I'll explain everything," He said, his eyes boring into me.

I didn't trust him. Not after what I'd just heard. But what choice did I have? We were in the middle of nowhere, and I had no way to escape-not without risking my life.

Reluctantly, I turned and climbed into the car.

Silas followed behind me, slamming the door behind him.

The silence between us was loud as he started the car and drove off.

I stared out the window, my arms crossed tightly over my

chest.

I didn't want to look at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how hurt I was

But I couldn't hold back the question that filled my head.

"Why, Silas?" I asked quietly, my voice barely a whisper.

"Why would you even think about using me like that?"

He didn't answer right away. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly with his jaw was clenched.

Finally, he spoke

"At times. Sacrifices need to be made,"

I turned to look at him, my heart sinking. "Sacrifices?" I repeated "So I'm just a sacrifice to you?"

His grip on the wheel tightened, and I thought I saw his knuckles turn white. "You're not a sacrifice, Katrina. But he never admitted to me being his wife

"Then stop treating me like I'm disposable," I snapped, my voice rising with anger. "If I'm your wife, then act like it!"

Silas didn't respond. The rest of the drive was silent.

When we finally reached the mansion, I climbed out of the car without waiting for him and stormed inside.

My chest was tight, my emotions spilling all over the place-anger, fear, betrayal.

All mixed as one.

I didn't stop until I reached my room. Slamming the door shut behind me, I leaned against it, trying to catch my breath.

Very soon, the tears rushed out and I sank to the floor, burying my face in my hands. I didn't know what hurt more-Silas's betrayal or the fact that a part of me still wanted to trust him