The Badass Mafia Boss Queen

I tried to find the words to explain to her that Hollis wasn’t evil as she was trying so hard to paint him, but she wasn’t done.

“From what I’ve gathered so far, Hollis has wanted you in his bed from the moment he ventured into Fairview and I think it’s not for genuine reasons. You indirectly have in hand in the death of a Genovese. This marriage might be his own way of getting back at you. Maybe with time, he’ll start dishing out the punishments.”

“Stop making crazy assumptions, Britney. My husband…”

“You’re like a new to this type of life, you’re like a new toy to him but this won’t last. I’ll help you get out if you’re in. But I’ll have to get all the evidence you need to get you on the same page. Then you tell me if you want to leave or not.”

I shook my head. “Hollis would never hurt me. His family have been nothing too kind and accommodating. They all love me.” I found myself sounding so weak and defensive, even though I could tell that I was beginning to believe the possibility of what she was saying.

“Don’t be fooled by the display. A cow is well-fed before it gets slaughtered.” She paused and watched me.

Maybe she wanted to know if her last words sank in because they actually did. I felt them in the core of my heart.

“While I’m gathering evidence, I’ll find a safe place for you and your family. Somewhere they can’t find you. You need to keep Hollis happy until I can come get you out.”

“Britney, really, I’m fine, I don’t need saving. I’m not a hostage.” I insisted. “Everyone has been nothing but nice to me.”

“There’s nothing nice about these people.” Britney interrupted.

“Britney!” A stern voice sounded from behind us.

We simultaneously turned around. Castello was standing by the garden doorway, glaring.

“Don’t say a word of this to anyone,” Britney told me while flashing a terrified smile at Castello.

She got up and strolled toward Castello. “Hello, cousin.” She called.

But Castello’s mood did not improve. “It was very nice to meet you, Ugo. And I’m really sorry.” Britney said and disappeared into the house, closely followed by Castello, who didn’t as much as spare me a glance.

‘She’s wrong…’ I murmured.

She’s only assuming things and trying to rattle me. Everybody knows how amazing Hollis is. Even Cordelia said it. So, why would I pay attention to Britney, who detests me?

By the time I made it back to the house, Britney was rushing out of the veranda with a paper bag in her hand.

“See you around, Ugo.” She whispered intently as she passed by and sped away.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Castello, who still hadn’t said a word to me nor spared a look my way, followed her out, maybe to make sure she didn’t stop and turn back to speak to me again.

At the exit, he turned and nodded to me before disappearing from the veranda. I stood on a spot, staring down, speechless and confused. I turned back and saw Rocco still standing guard behind, at a reasonable distance.

“Where’s Hollis?” I asked him.

“He’s in a meeting with the Don.” He replied.

I walked back into Hollis’s room and slumped on the bed, letting the thoughts of all the events from the very first day I stepped foot in the garden to this moment occlude my thoughts.

‘What the hell is Britney getting at? Am I really in danger? Did my loved ones really betray me? Is all of this a plan of some sort?’

“No,” I said out loud. “Britney is wrong,” I added.

……..

We were on our way back to the Garden later in the day. Rocco was driving, while I sat at the back with Hollis.

“Something is bugging you.” He said to me, caressing my arm.

Isn’t it really obvious that something should be bugging me, though? After what happened during dinner yesterday, I should be bothered a hundred per cent.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked him.

He took a breath and sat up. “Carloz is… he’s trying to overthrow my father.” He said plainly.

“Your father or you?” I asked. “Because from what I see, you are the one in charge, not your father.”

He looked at me closely before replying. “My father is still the head of the Genovese family. While he’s still alive, it’s his responsibility to ensure that the family remains in order. In other words, he calls the shots. And Carloz wanted that power.”

“He’s your father’s brother, right?”

Hollis nodded. “They are four brothers. He’s the third.”

“Well, even if your father dies, he wouldn’t take up the mantle of leadership. There are other people to put into consideration.” I said.

“He can, if he takes it by force.” Hollis shrugged. “That’s a story for another day.” He added when I arched my brow in question.

“So he wanted to shoot me, because…”

“His plans flopped,” Hollis said. “The attack started earlier than planned. The guards discovered his plan early enough. So, I think he knows his time is up. So he just wanted to… You know…” He trailed off.

“Get back to me for talking back at him?”

“Yes.” He replied, but there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

“So where is he now?” I asked again.

“Who?”

“Your uncle,” I replied.

There was a pause, I knew what that could mean but I wanted him to say it. Yet he didn’t.

“Is he dead?” I finally said the word.

He tapped my arm gently and brought my fingers to his lips. Then, he kissed them. “The less you know, the better.”

“You don’t trust me to answer my question?” I queried.

Hollis faced me squarely and I noted the sadness in his eyes. “Baby, you seeing me in this way and knowing this other side of my life makes me feel sick.”

He took both my hands in his. “I trust you, and you can ask me anything you want. But please don’t ask me that.” He said.

A moment of wordlessness passed between us. I looked at him, and I realized that I already knew the answer, and that I wished I didn’t.