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MEETING ZARA
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MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL ZARA'S ADVICE
“I don’t know much about being a wife to a husband in the brotherhood,” I blurt out clumsily.Her gaze rests on the small diamond pendant around my neck, and she frowns ever so slightly. “Is that a gift from your husband?”My hand rests on it, and I nod.“Is it real?” she asks.I nod again. “I’m pretty sure all the jewelry he has given me is real.”“Foolish girl.” She smiles thinly. “All your jewelry should be appraised and then duplicated. Youneverwear the originals. I will give you the name of a shop. Very discreet. They will pay for them, and your husband will never know. Never let your husband pick your jewelry.”My eyes widen as if she’s talking crazy. “Then how do I ask for it?”She tsks like I’m a child. “You admire a piece or find a picture of something you like in an auction catalog. Place the page on his desk. He will buy it for you. Don’t let him give you anything you can’t sell.”A chill descends my spine at her words. She’s not telling me how to be a wife.She’s telling m
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL NATHAN DEATH
I remember what he said when Regina was first brought here.“A brotherhood wife sleeps with him unless he decides otherwise.”“I didn’t plan to … I fell asleep.” I stand and navigate my body carefully around his. “I’m going upstairs to pack.”I don’t dare look at him as I hurry out the door, past the guard.My foot lands on the step, and I immediately run the rest of the way to our bedroom. I know he won’t let me leave, and I must be crazy to think otherwise, but I’ll try anyway. I don’t have my own luggage, so I search in his closet. That’s not all I find. Behind a heavy wool dress coat, there’s a gun cabinet. I stare at them in rows shiny black and terrifyingly cold.I cover them up with the coat again.I drag the first empty suitcase out and toss it onto the bed when Alfredo enters the room. He walks slowly to the bed and watches me as I throw an armful of dresses into the case.Where am I going to wear these things?Evening gowns made of silk and satin are too fancy for me to hide i
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL THE PARTY
“Maybe this friendship with Zara is not a bad thing,” Sean replies. “There is an advantage to your wife learning how to be a prop wife. Which means you can start treating her like one. You’ve allowed her too much freedom.”I chuckle as I pour another. “I kept her locked in a bedroom.”“A bedroom for a queen with endless luxuries and wealth,” replies Sean . “You’ve spoiled her. And she knows she can use sex to manipulate you. There’s a part of you that is holding onto her too tight. If you hold onto a butterfly’s wing, it will tear when it tries to fly away. Only when you let go will it want to return.” Sean continues with a smirk on his lips. “Make Charlene think she’s crazy for wanting to leave you. You must be like mu father”“Never.”“You have little choice,Alfredo.” Sean looks at his glass before taking a sip. “You need to turn Charlene into a Brotherhood wife. Your mom hated your father, but she wanted for nothing.”“Except love,” I reply flatly.“You loved your mother, Alfredo.
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL THE NEW CHARLENE
Stefan frowns, and a nagging feeling descends like a chill down my ribs, letting me know that something might be wrong.“Excuse me.” I leave them and search for Alfredo.I don’t like the look on Stefan’s face, and if he’s up to something, I want it stopped now. All I want is a joyful night without drama and violence, and I’m not about to see it ruined by teenage hormones.“Charlene, good to see you.” A large hand grips my upper arm, and Ivo greets me with a hearty hug. “May we speak?”Distracted by his greeting, I nod as he leads me into the ballroom and almost outside through the French doors. “This is an impressive showing. You’ve done well for your first full event as Andrei’s wife. Any news?”My lips form a thin line. “I don’t know anything about Sonya Gregory. As far as I know, she’s gone underground.”“Of course.” He strokes his bushy beard with his overgrown fingernails. “But there was something else. An unfortunate shooting?”“I believe my husband. I wouldn’t be here talking t
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL I AM SORRY, Regina
Just like Alfredo, these people will praise me for my brutality toward my family.Could Alfredo ever escape what was fated to happen?Could I?I don’t wait for the morning or for Regina to say come in.I unlock the door and enter her room. The couture dress is balled up and thrown on the floor while Regina lies on her bed in her old clothes that she took from Dad’s house. Her earbuds are in, and she ignores me as I pace alongside her bed. Her eyes stay trained on the laptop screen as if there’s actually something absorbing on streaming. I sit down on the bed near her and close the screen.“What do you want?” she asks crossly.I sit up straight. “I want to tell you that I’m sorry for slapping you.”“Is that it?” Regina asks, sitting up and crossing her legs.I watch my tone. “Yes, I’m sorry I slapped you, but we couldn’t risk it last night.”She rolls her eyes and replies, “Of course,My dear sister Charlene couldn’t risk something .”I look away and can’t think of what to say.“They do
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL MEETING SARA
Charlene smiles shyly and then focuses on her salad, spearing a piece of avocado with her fork. Her gaze falls on the lone brass key in the box, and I know she’s dying to ask questions.“Technically, we don’t own it yet,” I reply. “We’re negotiating the price, and then there’s closing. The couple that owns it are excited to retire early. None of their children are interested in running the place. It’s a good location.”“What about security?” she asks, eyeing the few diners seated at random tables.“The river protects one side, and security can stay in the inn. You don’t have to open it to the public. You’ll be safe here as long as you don’t forget who you are.”Charlene puts down her fork and looks around the charming antique interior with exposed beams and wood plank floors. A large stone fireplace crackles and fills the room with warmth. The walls are a mix of wood paneling and stone accents. In the corner is a bar stocked with local craft beers. Old, framed prints and maps of the a
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL Take my wife name out of it
“I prefer it,” I reply curtly. “Who shot the cop,Sara? Was it you or Lance?”“How do you know it wasn’t your sister?” A smirk tugs at her lips.I shake my head. “Sonya wouldn’t.” But as soon as the words leave my lips, I realize just how little I truly know my own sister.“An eye for an eye.” The sly smile widens across Sara’s lips. “One family for another. You know as well as I do that Sonya was never raised in the rules of the Bratva like you and I.”The private room is filled with an uncomfortable silence, and the waiter’s footsteps echo as he enters. He looks nervously at us and realizes no one has even picked up a menu. He hesitantly asks if we’re ready to place our orders. No one wants to eat, so I order a bottle of vodka.“No one will want to associate with someone wanted by the law,” I break the silence. “Not for this. And if you goaded Sonya into doing this—”“I didn’t.” She stops me before I can finish my accusation. “That’s why I want to talk about a truce.”The waiter ente
MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL Walk away
Despite my fear, I can’t bring myself to go too far. Tears are streaming down my face as I scream uncontrollably. But no one can hear me with the hallway door shut.I keep crawling, and in the dark, my hand touches something in Alfredo's jacket … his gun.And it’s enough for me to make a split-second decision. One that I hope will ultimately save our lives. I grab the gun and pull the trigger. An ear-splitting bang alerts the whole household. Suddenly, all the lights come on in every room of the house, and I hear footsteps running up the stairs. I scream again, and Vanya appears at the door, fully dressed though his brown hair is slightly ruffled.“Charlene, where is Alfredo?” he asks, wide-eyed.But before I can respond, another gunshot resounds through the bedroom, making me shriek in terror. Maya hurries toward the bedroom door and yanks his gun from his belt. His face contorts in fury as he disappears into the room. I turn back to follow him, but I’m swept up from behind by strong
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- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL Walk away
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL Take my wife name out of it
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL MEETING SARA
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL I AM SORRY, Regina
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL THE NEW CHARLENE
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL THE PARTY
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL NATHAN DEATH
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL ZARA'S ADVICE
- MAFIA’s COLLATERAL’S GIRL MEETING ZARA
