Cruel Prince: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance

by Piper Stone

  My God, the man was powerful in everything he did.

  “We should go back, Mrs. Benedetti,” Gio said from behind me, breaking what little joy I experienced.

  “In just a few minutes, Gio. Are you worried about the storm? If so, I will protect you.”

  My attempt at humor seemed lost on him, his jaw clenching when another rumble of thunder came from the opposite direction, the sky darkening even more.

  “I thought I’d pick some flowers. I mean if that’s allowed. Then we can go back.” I tipped my head in his direction, noting the slight smile on his face. He’d warmed up to me or maybe I had to him. Either way, I didn’t feel so strangled around him.

  “I doubt Mr. Benedetti would mind at all, but please hurry. We have a distance to go.”

  He seemed pleased with himself that he was able to give me the answer I was looking for. He was also more nervous than usual, the storm making him grouchy. Matteo had yet to share with me any aspects of his business, but I’d caught enough snippets of conversation to know the threat level had increased.

  As I crouched down, carefully selecting several colorful daisies, I was able to take a deep breath, enjoying the moment. Matteo had been out of sorts, but he’d been diligent about spending time with me. He’d even watched a movie the night before, falling asleep on the couch. That alone had delighted me more than any of the grand gestures he’d made. I’d learned a few things about the man behind the powerful shield, including his favorite foods and thoughts on everything from politics to religion.

  But the subject regarding the gazebo had never been mentioned again.

  After selecting an armful of flowers, I was able to see the first bolt of lightning flashing across the sky in the distance. The wind had already become much stronger, and the air felt like rain. Gio didn’t need to encourage me to make the trek back to the house. The sky was ready to fall within seconds.

  As I moved into the clearing, a sound came out of nowhere. I stopped short, waiting for the noise to occur again. After a few seconds, I realized I had to be imagining it. I was within two feet of Gio when I heard it again. This time, the sound was distinct.

  A bark.

  A dog? While there were dozens of horses on the property, I’d yet to see a domestic animal.

  “Did you hear that?” I asked, changing my direction and heading toward the noise.

  “Hear what?”

  “A bark. I could swear a dog or a puppy just barked.”

  He snorted. “I doubt that. We need to go.”

  “Just hold on a second.” There were several areas where hundreds of olive trees had been planted. While those in particular were well maintained, there were other locations where the natural growth had been allowed to take over. If I had to guess, I’d say they were used as a protection for the younger trees that had obviously been replanted only a few years before. When I’d ventured too close to one of them a few days before, Gio was forced to warn me about briars, poison ivy, and natural predators including wolves.

  What if there was a helpless puppy who had no protection?

  I moved closer, Gio clearing his throat seconds later. “Mrs. Benedetti. The storm is approaching quickly.”

  “Gio. I’m certain I heard something. I can’t leave a helpless animal to fend for himself.”

  “I can’t let you do that. There are dangers in the woods.”

  “If you’re trying to scare me, don’t bother. I think I can handle predators by now.”

  “Just stay right there and I’ll take a look,” he huffed. “Will that do?”

  “Yes, that will work.”

  He lumbered closer, cursing in Italian the second he heard the ring of his phone. I waited as he answered, inching closer to the edge of the forest.

  This time the yelp was full of distress and my instincts told me that whatever little creature was issuing the cry, the baby needed help. Dropping the flowers, I raced into the woods.

  Matteo

  “Just be on alert, Gio. Make certain the other soldiers are aware that Michael O’Sullivan could be in the country. I’ve emailed you a picture to send to the others. If I’m right, he will make an appearance soon.”

  “Don’t worry, boss. I’ll take care of it just as soon as I get back to the house.”

  My hackles were raised, and I was easily able to tell he was still outside. My lovely bride continued to insist that she take daily walks. It was the one thing she’d asked for. While I hated disappointing her, I also knew what O’Sullivan was capable of.

  “Get Catherine back to the house and make certain there are soldiers covering the grounds.”

  “Yes, boss. I’ll do that right now.”

  I ended the call, taking a deep breath as I stared out the office window.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance, the single flash of lightning putting me even more on edge. My sixth sense remained on heightened alert. I’d done exactly as my lovely bride had suggested, putting my brothers in charge of handling any issues with regard to our clients or other suppliers. At least I had no doubts they would be prepared to do what was necessary in order to send another wave of warnings.

  As I headed down the hallway and up the stairs to the private section of the estate, I hesitated before knocking on the closed door. My mother remained vulnerable, but she was the only person who might be able to provide answers.

  “Come in.” At least her voice held more of a lilt than in previous days.

  I opened the door slowly, surprised to see her looking through old photo albums. Perhaps this was her way of healing.

  She lifted her head, a smile on her face where I’d expected to see tears. “Come in, Matteo. I’m glad you stopped by.”

  As I inched closer, I was able to catch a glimpse of old wedding photos. I wasn’t certain if I’d ever seen them before.

  “Your father was a very handsome groom,” she said absently before flipping to another page. “Much like my gorgeous son.”

  Chuckling, I eased down on the chair opposite hers and took a quick glance at the various photographs. “Did you want to get married?”

  Carmella Benedetti had always been considered a formidable woman by everyone she knew. She’d been born into a wealthy political family that had nurtured every one of their children to become very independent. She’d never lost her verve or her need for self-sufficiency, especially since my father had been a bear.

  “Not in the least, much like your beautiful bride.”

  Her answer made me laugh.

  “You father was handsome, even debonair, but he was very arrogant and tested my last nerve. Neither one of us cared about the arrangement that our parents had made. In fact, we didn’t even like each other in the beginning.”

  Snorting, I thought about Catherine. “But you fell in love.”

  “Eventually. That wasn’t without vicious arguments and a lot of prayers, at least on my part.” She glanced away, a faraway look in her eyes. “Somehow, I managed to bring out a softer side in him, which I suspect Catherine is doing with you.”

  “You know me best, Mother. Don’t you?”

  “I know you’re exactly like your father, which always worried me. I also know you well enough to realize when you have something you need to discuss with me. Not that I mind your company, but you’re troubled.”

  My mother had always managed to look through whatever layer of bullshit her three princes tossed out, refusing to buy our crazy stories. Maybe it was good that nothing had changed.

  I leaned over, choosing my words carefully. “Was there ever anyone else that Pops cared about?”

  She narrowed her eyes as she looked at me. “Do you mean other family or friends?”

  “No, someone special.” I studied her reaction, the darkness sliding into her eyes what I’d been fearful of.

  She reached for her tea, taking a sip before answering. To her credit, her hands were solid as a rock.

  “Neither your father nor I were strangers to caring about someone else, son. I hope
that doesn’t burst your bubble.”

  “Of course not. You weren’t living in the dark ages.”

  “No, but our parents thought we were. This is Tuscany, my dear boy.” Her eyes twinkled when she issued the words. “Your father was very much in love with a young girl from the village. He told me that the second time we met. I told him about the stable boy I’d fallen for at the same time. We chose never to have secrets in our house. That’s why we were able to get close.”

  “Did Pops ever see her again?”

  A slight tic appeared in the corner of her mouth. “Do you want the truth, Matteo? I’m not certain what the purpose would be other than to tarnish the respect you have for your father.”

  “I need to know, Mother. I think there were two reasons he was in New York. Maybe only one of them had to do with business.”

  “If you’re suggesting that he went to spend time with Ariella, you’re wrong.”

  Ariella. At least I had a name.

  “Then she was in New York?” I asked quietly, trying not to make a big deal about it.

  “She moved there less than a year after we were married. She had a scholarship opportunity, but I don’t know many of the details around it. Your father never forgot about her and don’t say it, Matteo. He was ripped away from her as I was from what I wanted to do, including going to college. But we made a good life together and had three amazing sons.”

  “Why couldn’t he have gone to see her recently?”

  As she picked up her cup for another sip, I couldn’t read the emotions on her face. “Because she died almost fifteen years ago.”

  “How?”

  “I don’t know all the details, Matteo, but it was during a storm much like this one. From what little your father told me, she drowned.”

  I was shaken by the news, but at least that made sense to what Enzo had said. When she didn’t look me in the eyes, I knew there was more. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “At that point, your father didn’t want to talk about it, but I knew he’d gone to New York to meet with her.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She slid her arm across the table, taking my hand into hers. “You never forget about the first love you have, but sometimes you need to put the memories in a safe place, allowing you to live your life.”

  Somehow, I knew she was speaking directly to me. I thought about the breadcrumbs she was leaving and sighed. “Are you trying to tell me that you suspect Pops had something to do with her death?”

  “No, I’m saying that her death was a tragedy that brought out all the memories he’d had for her over the years. He blamed himself for what happened.”

  “Why did he agree to meet with her? Didn’t he know how much that would hurt you?”

  She squeezed my hand again, another smile crossing her face. “Son, when you love someone as deeply as your father and I did, you trust them. He didn’t go there to rekindle the romance, but because she asked him to come, which was the first time she’d reached out to him. He felt an obligation. You know how your father was.”

  Sighing, I pulled my hand away, rubbing my jaw. “But he never told you what was said.”

  “No, and I didn’t ask. What are you trying to find out?”

  “As I said. His reason for going to New York other than just for business.” I found it difficult to believe that a mother with the kind of backbone and resolve she’d maintained all these years wouldn’t grill him in order to know exactly what he was doing. However, the last thing I wanted to do was place any doubt in her mind. She needed to hold onto good memories. I drummed my fingers on the table, angry with my father for keeping her in the dark.

  “I only know what he told me, Matteo. He was considering branching out a certain portion of the corporation. I had no reason to believe otherwise. Roberto did tell me he even discussed the option with you.”

  “Yes, but not in the timeframe it appears he was considering. I’m sorry I bothered you about this.”

  She patted my hand. “You didn’t bother me. I can tell you’re finding it difficult to take the reins. I think Catherine’s presence will do you some good. She’s lovely.”

  “Yes, she is.” As I stood, she grasped my hand once again.

  “Matteo, take my advice. Let go of the past and enjoy the woman you decided to marry. From what I can tell, she’s exactly the kind of woman you need in your life. She will be your backbone and your strength even when you’re unable to trust anyone. I love you, but you’re very hardheaded. If you don’t break free from the anger and guilt you have, you’ll never be happy.”

  Leaning down, I pressed my lips against her cheek. “As usual, you give sage advice.”

  “Then take it for once.”

  I shook my head as I backed away, but not before the hair on the back of my neck stood up. My beautiful, unbreakable mother knew more than she had wanted to share. If she and my father truly had never kept secrets, then why was she keeping this one from the rest of her family?

  “Just one more question. What was her last name?”

  “Does that matter now?”

  “It might.”

  “Ariella LaBouf.”

  “Thank you.”

  After closing her door behind me, I stood in the hallway for a few seconds, unable to keep a smile off my face. Maybe it was time to finally admit to myself that I’d fallen in love with Catherine. And perhaps my mother was right after all.

  It was time to let go of the past.

  When my phone rang, I was still smiling.

  Until I heard the sound of Gio’s voice.

  “Boss, Mrs. Benedetti has disappeared.”

  Chapter 13

  Matteo

  Flashes of lightning seemed to be coming from every direction, wind swirling through the trees. Limbs bent at the force, their leaves whistling as rain began to pour. While it was still light outside, seeing anything but a few inches in front of me was next to impossible.

  Yet nothing was going to keep me from finding Catherine.

  I was livid, enough so I found it difficult to catch my breath. While my fury was directed entirely at Gio, a small portion of my rational mind knew that there was no way she could have been captured, the security still in position.

  But a gnawing in my stomach told me otherwise.

  Still, the fact he’d let her out of his sight for even a minute was unacceptable. She had a mind of her own, still unaccepting of the danger I’d placed her life in. While I couldn’t keep her in a cage for the rest of her life, she would be forced to come to terms with the limits I’d placed for her security.

  “Go that way!” I barked over the rumbles of thunder, directing the group of soldiers to fan out.

  “I just turned my back to take your phone call, boss. I swear to God.”

  “Shut up, Gio. Just shut the fuck up. I don’t need to hear it, but you and I will talk later. And we will find her one way or the other,” I growled and swung the flashlight beam in a complete arc.

  “Absolutely, boss. She couldn’t have gone far.”

  “How the fuck could you have done this, Catherine?” I yelled into the denseness of the forest. I took long strides toward the direction of where Gio had last seen her, fighting with the automatic weapon I’d grabbed before leaving the house.

  I had to be prepared for any scenario, including the fact our estate had been compromised.

  When I noticed a bunch of flowers on the ground, I bent down, brushing the tip of my finger over them. After a night of passion, she’d told me how much she hated roses and that they reminded her of death instead of romance. Her favorite flower? A perfect daisy. I fisted several of them, crushing them between my fingers then taking several ragged breaths.

  “She said she heard something,” Gio yelled from behind me.

  “A goddamn wolf is likely what she heard.”

  “I don’t think so. She said the sound was a bark. Maybe like a dog.”

  “What? Not possible.” But she certainly c
ould have heard the howl of a wolf or a lynx. The wolves had been growing in numbers, including roaming the mountains just outside the estate. If she’d heard one of them and it was injured, the beast would be that much more dangerous.

  Then again, she could have been lured by an entirely human sound.

  My blood pressure spiked as I ignored the weather conditions, more determined than ever to find her.

  I continued moving forward, looking for any sign she’d gone in this direction. I should have had the woods cut down years ago, but my father had convinced me they would an excellent natural protection for the olive trees.

  But what about the people who lived here?

  The rage was suffocating, my heart racing at the thought of losing her. Even the pelting rain didn’t faze me as I combed the woods. “Catherine!” I belted out again, praying that she’d answer me.

  There was nothing but the howling wind, the hard slapping of tree limbs. The air was electrified, and I could smell the stench of danger. It was all around me, ugly memories suddenly washing up from the depths of hell. Claws raked at my neck and chest, trying to break through, visions of the same kind of storm occurring on that damning fateful night hitting my psyche like a sledgehammer.

  I jerked back from the force of the visions, almost stumbling over a fallen log.

  “Boss. Are you okay?” Gio called.

  Hissing, I threw out my arm, instantly dropping the freaking flashlight. My chest was tight, my heart thudding rapidly. The visions only intensified, rushing through my periphery of vision over and over again, picking up in speed until there was nothing but a blur of colors and shadowy forms.

  “God, boss.”

  Gio’s voice echoed. I tossed my head back and forth, doing everything I could to shake off the memory. “Let it go.” Just let it go. As I hunkered down, still unable to catch my breath as I gasped for air, the light from the beam shimmered as something scuttled in front of it. I blinked several times, yanking the flashlight into my hand, shifting it toward where I thought the creature had gone.