The Mafia Contract Series

As soon as we leave the restaurant, Flynn says with a hint of impatience in his voice. I’m so sorry. We must return home to deal with Wesley. I should arrange his transportation.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

He turns to me and says gently, “Perhaps you should head back to the hotel. I’ll take you and then return when I’ve dealt with Wesley.”

“No.”

Flynn looks surprised and I say firmly, “I want to know the whole of you, Flynn, even if that scares me to death. I want to meet your uncle and I want to see where you were brought up. I don’t care if it’s dangerous, shocking, or despicable. I desire the whole of you, Flynn, all the jagged edges and sharp corners. I want to learn the cruelty of your life and understand how you were formed.”

“No, Louisa.” Flynn appears angry and I grab his face in my hands and press my lips against his to silence him. Pulling away I whisper, “Let me in, Flynn. You’re not on your own anymore, and I need to do this. You need me to do this, and if we are to stand any chance of surviving this life, we must stick together.”

I’m surprised when he pulls me roughly against him and kisses me so deeply it takes my breath away and then he growls, “Be careful what you wish for, baby. You are about to head on a one-way ticket to hell.”

I CAN TELL Flynn is on edge. The closer we get to his home, the quieter he gets and as we pass through huge electric gates, I look out on a landscape that screams intimidation. Even though I’m used to living in a large house with all the trappings of wealth, this is like venturing into Hogwarts. It’s gloomy, threatening and frightening. It’s probably where Stephen King comes for inspiration for his horror stories, and I am already regretting my impulsive decision to come here.

Flynn has obviously been seized by the circling demons because there’s an aura of despair in the car that intensifies the closer we get to the house of horrors. Clearing my throat, I try to think of something complimentary to say, nice even but can only come up with, “It’s, well, um…” “Hell, baby. Welcome to hell.”

Flynn cuts me off and brings his Ferrari to a screeching halt outside a huge oak door and he exhales sharply. “Like I said, be careful what you wish for because you may want to change yours.”

He turns and I see an expression of resignation on his face as he sighs. “You, though, can always change your mind. Say the word and I’ll turn around and take you back to the apartment.”

“No.” I try to stop my voice from trembling. “I want to understand you, and I’m guessing this is going to tell me everything I need to know.”

“You may decide it’s too much. A lot to take on and regret your decision. What happens if you change your mind about me-us?”

For the first time since I met him, Flynn seems a little unsure. He’s always been so strong, self-assured, and confident. I suppose I’m so used to being that person myself I understand far more what he’s going through and so I grip his hand firmly and tug him sharply against me, saying fiercely, “Nothing will ever change how I feel about you. How could it when you are kind, loving, and considerate?”

He rests his head against mine and says with a sigh, “I’ll ask you that question again when we leave. Prepare for a crash course in misery, baby, because the next few hours will never leave you and I will say it again. Just tell me and I’ll turn this car around and save you from possibly the worst experience of your life.”

“And I’ll say it again. No!”

With a deep sigh, he nods toward the house. “Then let me show you what pain looks like.

Humiliation, hatred, and revulsion. Open your eyes and see what happens when your sins catch up with you and what a monster fear molds even the most reluctant man into.”

He turns away and leaves the car, rounding it to open my door and as he takes my hand, he grips it hard and whispers, “I will never let anything happen to you. This is the reality of my life, and you will understand why I have been driven to this point.”

I fall silent as we head inside and are transported into what appears to be like an ancient castle.

Dark wood paneling creates a somber welcome, and I half expect flaming torches on the wall, instead of the huge ornate chandeliers and wall sconces that are lit with a warm glow. There are no modern touches, just dusty looking antiques and ancient looking paintings residing behind gold, heavy frames.

It’s a little overwhelming because there are no women’s touches anywhere and the whole vibe is one of intimidation and secrecy.

A man appears, who nods to me and fixes Flynn with an anxious look. “He’s getting more irate by the second. I hoped he would have calmed down by now, but he has the resilience of a devil.”

“Let him shout all he likes. His ride out of here leaves in less than an hour.”

“What do you mean?” The guy looks a little wary of me and Flynn pulls me forward. “This is Louisa, my girlfriend. She knows everything, so you can relax.”

Being described as Flynn’s girlfriend causes a warm fluffy emotion to spread through me, casting light on shade. It’s so good to be with him and despite all of this, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but his side and to my surprise, the man’s face breaks out into a smile, and he nods with approval, making me feel a lot better about myself.

“Silvio, ma’am. Welcome to damnation.”

He winks and shares an amused glance with Flynn, who rolls his eyes and grips my hand a little tighter. “Well, Louisa has requested that I show her my home and the first stop should be meeting the family, don’t you agree?”

Silvio looks wary of that. “Are you sure? I mean…” “I’m sure.” My own voice rings out, determined and defiant, and Silvio laughs softly. “Then welcome, ma’am, and you have my assurance that everybody here, with one exception maybe, will protect you with their life.”

My eyes widen as I sense the power Flynn now has because he has an army of men behind him who are intent on keeping him alive. I know how it works. Uncle Pedro has the exact same loyalty and now seeing it first-hand, it reminds me what I’ve signed up for.

Gloria was right. My life is about to change and just thinking of living in this place gives me the creeps. Almost as if he can read my mind, Flynn says out loud, “When Louisa moves in, prepare for demolition. This place will be knocked down and rebuilt and there will be nothing left of the old ways.”

Silvio grins. “I’m happy about that.”

Flynn turns and stares at me long and hard, as if he’s deep in thought, which is a little unnerving, really. It’s almost as if he’s preparing himself for something and then he says in a deep, husky voice, “Are you ready to meet Satan himself?”

To be honest, I’m not, but part of me is curious about the man who has made Flynn’s life a living hell and so I nod. “As I’ll ever be.”

Silvio shakes his head and turns and as we follow him, I offer up a prayer to keep us safe and deliver us from this madness.