The Man in Black_A Standalone Mafia Romance

by Soraya Naomi

  “But she found our spy. It’s not Ivo. It’s Marliya. And now that Brielle knows everything, I need to protect her, and there’s only one way I can insure that...”

  “...if she’s your wife...”

  “Can you help us?”

  “Can I hack into City Hall’s system and change your records so that you two are married effective today? Yes, I can. Easily. But I don’t know if I should.”

  “Since yesterday, by the way.”

  “Does Adriano know something’s going on between you two?”

  “Yes, and if she’s my wife, there’s no issue. Also, Fallon and Luca back us.”

  “Luca knows?”

  “Yes,” I lie.

  “Fine, but you keep me out of this,” Henry retorts.

  “Deal. Message me when it’s done.”

  “I will.” He cuts the call, and while checking the bright sunlit road regularly, I text Fallon.

  Michael: I need you to convince Luca to say that he knew about Brielle and me dating, just like you did, and that you two accept her into this Syndicate. Brielle found out about us and is pregnant, so Henry is marrying us now, before I tell Adriano. You’ll get the entire story if you come to Palermo. Remember, you owe me because I helped you and Luca.

  Fallon: You don’t have to remind me that I owe you. Luca’s at Palermo and I’ll leave now and call him on my way there. Is she okay?

  Michael: Yes.

  I toss my phone aside while Brielle stares out the window with a faraway look. Yet I keep my emotions in check until everything’s handled.

  WHEN I ARRIVE AT PALERMO with Brielle and Marliya, I receive a message from Henry.

  Henry: Brielle’s officially your wife since May tenth. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Carrion.

  “It’s done. We’re married,” I say to Brielle, whose brows hit her hairline.

  “So fast?”

  “Yes. Henry’s our hacker and can gain access to any system.”

  “The IT guy...oh,” she mumbles just when Fallon comes up behind us, and all three of us turn around.

  “Hey.” Fallon breathes loudly, brushing her mahogany side-swept bangs out of her eyes and frowning at Marliya in question.

  “Meet our spy – she’s helping us too. She’s Reymario’s daughter.”

  “No way.” Fallon smirks, fanning herself even though she’s wearing a summer dress. Clearly, she rushed over here. “Luca’s upstairs with Adriano and he’s on board. I told him we need to do it to protect me since I knew all along and because I like Brielle, so he was convinced easily.”

  “Okay, let’s go. Everyone follow my lead and don’t tense up around Adriano,” I order as I stride up the stairs with the three women trailing behind me.

  The things I do for Brielle astonish me and make me realize how much I care for this woman who barged into my life and is now my wife.

  I hear Fallon and Brielle muttering to each other, and right before we go into the office, I catch sight of Fallon squeezing Brielle’s hand in comfort, which seems to ease her, thank goodness. Just one last step and I’ll have succeeded in preventing this day from ending in disaster.

  When I open the door, Adriano looks up as he sits behind his desk, seemingly relaxed as he laughs with Luca, who’s standing next to him.

  “Hey,” he greets and then arcs a brow when Marliya, Brielle, and Fallon come in after me, and I shut the door.

  Fallon strolls to Luca and he kisses her on the lips before giving me an inconspicuous bob of his head.

  “What are all of you doing in here?” Adriano inquires.

  I point to Brielle calmly. “Short and sweet, Ivo shot the fire exit lock and forced her to go with him in his car to the outskirts of town, and then he ratted about the Syndicate.” I motion to Marliya. “She’s our spy, so, of course, she also knows about the Syndicate. We can trust both of them. Our underboss and Fallon know it too.”

  Adriano’s dark eyes widen and he leans back, peering at Luca, who nods. Then he gestures for me to keep going, disregarding Marliya and Brielle, like I anticipated.

  “I had Ivo shadowed because, as you know, he was our first suspect. But in the meantime, he was provoking me by bothering Brielle since I showed interest in her.”

  “Clearly,” he responds.

  “You noticed that?” I counter.

  “You’d have to be blind not to notice your interest in Brielle.” He winks at her before saying, “Continue.”

  She keeps her cool and smiles shyly, yet I see her fingers trembling before she clenches her fist, so I try to wrap it up, “Brielle and I discovered that Marliya’s the spy yesterday.”

  “How?” he asks.

  “I saw she has a gun in her purse,” Brielle answers quietly and Marliya seems astonished but disguises it quickly, thank god.

  “I was already going to interrogate Marliya before I let my crusade against Ivo go, but then he took Brielle this morning after he shot the lock, which Corrado discovered and I told him to inform you.”

  Adriano nods and grabs his pack of cigs to light one, still not upset at all, luckily.

  “He took Brielle because he was irate when he found out we were following him. And then when he realized I’d tracked them, he got scared and tried to attack Brielle – I had to shoot him.”

  Adriano opens his mouth, but I carry on, anticipating what he’s about to say, “In the middle of nowhere. The area’s already being cleaned and the body disposed of. I checked Ivo’s burner phones and was able to verify he wasn’t the spy. But when he kidnapped Brielle, he told her about the organization. Then I took her with me to pay a visit to Marliya and complete my assignment as I had planned. Marliya was immediately forthcoming and told me that she’s Reymario’s daughter and was simply sent here to help make sure that our deal goes off without a hitch.”

  He takes a long drag and studies Marliya who stands her ground. Obviously, she’s used to authoritative men.

  “I’ve simply executed my own assignment, like your member, John. I was sent to ensure we can trust the Syndicate because it’s the largest deal we’ve ever done as well. I haven’t interfered in anything, have I?” Marliya says what I instructed her and then takes her phones from her pockets and gives them to Adriano.

  Adriano checks one as Luca reads the data on the other before they fling them back onto the desk.

  “So you like us?” Adriano smirks, impressed. “I truly didn’t suspect you, and I’m surprised your father sent his daughter, but it does please me to be able to verify that, at this point, we both seem to trust each other. Since your people knew about John and let him be, that shows me that you work like we do.”

  “Yes, we do. Which is why I like your guys’ MO. I told my father we’re a go, as you can see. But I’d like to make a request.”

  “A condition?”

  “No, a favor, one that needs to stay between us if you decide not to assist me. I’ve been very helpful to the Syndicate and want to stay in Chicago. I don’t want to return to Mexico.”

  “Why not?” Adriano stubs out his smoke in the metallic ashtray.

  “Because my life’s better here. A woman will never be a high ranking member in Mexico. It’s still ruled by men and that won’t change anytime soon. I’m surrounded by brothers and a father who refuse to let me be. I can’t even go out by myself there. I’m not young or naïve, though my father doesn’t see it. I just want freedom and I enjoy living here in the Loop.”

  “So you want to be part of our team?” Luca speaks up.

  “If that’s needed for me to be allowed to stay here, then yes.”

  “And you think your father would agree to that?” Adriano comments.

  She smiles. “If it comes from you, he will. I’m going to disclose something to you to show that you can genuinely trust me. Rumor has it that you have connections reaching up to the White House. Mexicans won’t defy a powerhouse and ruin their own position; we’re not dumb. No one in Mexico dares to defy the Chicago Syndicate. Also, it’ll fortify your
bond with my father. He’ll never betray you as long as I’m a member of your organization. You’ll have me as leverage, so I know what I’m proposing. And remember that I have a stake in this being a flourishing partnership. It’s my fortune and my legacy as well. I’m putting myself in a risky position by asking for your help – you could tell my father and then I’d be screwed.”

  “You would be.” Adriano and Luca exchange a glance. “Let me think about if and how I can assist you and I’ll let you know. I need to discuss it with my men first. But did I just lose a waitress?” he adds, amused.

  She chuckles. “I don’t want to be a member who’s a waitress, no.”

  Smirking, he motions for her to go. “I’ll call you tomorrow, but finish your shift this week so that neither Gianni nor anyone else finds it weird that you’ve suddenly stopped.”

  Marliya nods before she turns away, and then she exits without looking at me as we agreed.

  As soon as the door shuts, Adriano commends, “This is a load off my shoulders. I’ve been anxious about this deal.” He assesses Brielle, evidently pleased that she discovered the spy.

  Thank god, it’s all going as planned so far. Now for the last bomb for me to drop.

  “There’s something else.” I step closer to the desk and stand opposite Adriano with Luca and Fallon flanking me. “I married Brielle because she’s pregnant.”

  Adriano freezes and his stare darts from Fallon, to me, and to Luca, who urges, “I knew. Hear him out.”

  So Adriano looks at me.

  Leaning forward, I lower my voice so that Brielle can’t hear, “I married her last night when we found out she was pregnant. I had to tie her to me because it was just a matter of time before she found out about the Syndicate. But then Ivo mentioned it to her, so I had to eliminate him to prevent any issues. Then she discovered our spy and has cooperated because she loves me and I’m her husband – it’s a good thing I married her.” It needs to appear that I had everything in control so Adriano doesn’t see any problems and can only accept us.

  His brows crease, and I can tell he’s giving it serious thought. “But do you trust her?”

  “Yes,” I answer honestly.

  He addresses Luca, “And you?”

  “Yes. Fallon does, so I do too. Michael told Fallon and me about their relationship and we were going to update you this morning, but Ivo messed up our plans,” he responds, backing Fallon and me like he promised his wife.

  “Divorce isn’t an option for us. Does Brielle know that? Does she know that there’s no way out anymore?” Adriano asks.

  “She’s mine; she doesn’t want a way out.” I straighten. “You told us to handle small issues and not bother you with every little thing. I handled it with care, but this is the end result now. I’m married.”

  He keeps staring at me, and dread rises up in my chest since I can’t read him, but then he says, “Well, I don’t want to be bothered with everything anyway and you informed Luca, so if he says it’s okay, I’m fine with it.”

  Relief washes over me.

  “But,” Adriano adds, and I notice that Fallon tenses up while I try to remain calm, “are you okay with marrying her? Did you want to marry her? Or else this will never work.”

  I let the question sink in before responding, “Everything’s going fast, but yes, I wanted to marry her. I didn’t hesitate. La amo.” I love her.

  He arcs a brow. “How can you be sure though? You’ve only known each other for a few months.”

  “Because I haven’t been able to stay away from Brielle since the day I met her. Because I never protected Rachel the way I protect Brielle. Regardless, I fixed everything. Ivo was collateral damage, but we have our spy who isn’t a threat at all. This is the best outcome we could’ve hoped for. I did my job and our deal isn’t in jeopardy.” I downplay everything so he won’t foresee any issues and will focus on the main thing: our drug deal.

  “Yes, you did. So I guess I have to congratulate you.” Adriano stands up.

  I turn to Brielle and beckon her over. As she approaches us, she walks with a stoic posture. But when I hold out my hand and she takes it, hers is clammy from anxiety.

  “You guys, congratulations!” Fallon rubs Brielle’s back and grins widely, making me less nervous.

  “Thanks,” we both say, overwhelmed but acting composed, so to get us out of there, I conclude, “We have to visit the doctor now.”

  “Of course,” Adriano remarks and waves his hand to dismiss us, going about his business, thank god. “Call me later, Michael. We still have to drive to the docks to scope out the area before May twentieth. We’ll do it this week. And, Brielle, you can take a few days off if you want to let everything sink in.”

  “Yes, I’d like a few days off.” Her voice is faint.

  “Okay, I’ll inform Gianni,” he tells her and she dips her chin in gratitude, her lip quivering after Adriano rounds his desk.

  “I’ll walk Fallon out,” Luca comments as he and Fallon trail us.

  We leave the office and go down the hallway. Brielle and Fallon expel a deep sigh as I tangle my fingers with Brielle’s. She executed her part perfectly, which settles the mafia man inside me and shows me that she can learn to be a clever mafia wife.

  “You owe me now,” Luca reminds me as we hurry down the stairs to the dining room, going straight to the entrance.

  “I know,” I say.

  In reality, I’m the only one who manipulated the situation to such an extreme extent. I even manipulated the boss. For her. If he ever learned the truth, I would be eliminated. But it’s a risk I’m apparently willing to take.

  I squeeze Brielle’s perspiring hands and inform Fallon and Luca, “Brielle and I are going to Northwestern.”

  “Let me know if everything’s okay,” Fallon requests as we cross the threshold, the noon sunlight blinding me as we step out into the soft breeze.

  “I will.”

  “I’ll come by tomorrow and we can talk. After she’s processed it.” Fallon cuts her eyes to Brielle who has completely retreated into herself.

  Nodding, I tug Brielle with me to my BMW and have to guide to her sit down before buckling the seat belt.

  “We have to make sure you and the baby are okay, so we’re going to the hospital.”

  “I don’t even have a doctor here,” she says, almost crying, as if it’s the biggest problem in the world.

  “The Syndicate has a doctor on its payroll who’s at our beck and call. Dr. Calderone will be your doctor from now on too. You don’t have to worry about anything, okay?”

  She looks at me with doubt, yet I have to make sure she’s not hurt. Jumping into the car, I pull onto the street toward Northwestern Hospital in the Loop.

  AT THE HOSPITAL, DR. Marc Calderone, a well-respected fifty-five-year-old doctor who’s been a dedicated mafia member for many years, opens his office door and gestures for us to go inside. It’s already two p.m. and Brielle had blood drawn and got a sonogram as soon as we arrived.

  I guide her into his immaculate white office that reeks of disinfectant, and Marc holds out his hand to her, which she accepts.

  “Hello, Brielle. I hear that you’re my new patient.”

  She nods as we stand opposite each other and Marc explains, “Congratulations, you’re nine weeks pregnant and your baby’s perfectly fine.”

  I let out a deep sigh just as Brielle reaches for my hand. Then I realize we conceived the baby the first time we had sex.

  “So nothing’s wrong,” she says.

  “No. Your baby is almost three inches and weighs about an ounce. You have a few bruises on your abdomen and knees, but they’ll heal in a day or two. We do need to get you on prenatal vitamins, though, so I’ll write you a prescription and you can pick them up. Also, I want you to add foods to your diet that are rich sources of iron, like beans, dried fruits, egg yolks, and lean meat.”

  “I eat a lot of seafood. Can I still eat oysters?” she asks, which makes me grin since she often thinks abou
t food.

  Brielle frowns at me.

  “Yes, you can but only cooked oysters.”

  “What’s my due date?” Brielle inquires before I get a chance to.

  “November twenty-second.” He walks to his desk and writes something on his prescription pad and tears off a page, handing it to Brielle. “Get your vitamins and come back in two weeks so that we can make sure everything’s still fine, and after that, you can just start your regular check-ups.”

  “Okay.” Brielle touches her stomach. “I haven’t gained any weight and I don’t feel the baby. Is that normal?”

  “Yes, it’s very normal. You’ll start to gain weight soon. And you’ll most likely feel your baby moving between sixteen and twenty-five weeks.” Then Marc addresses me, “Any questions? If not, I have to go. I did Brielle’s tests in between my other appointments.”

  “No,” I answer, wanting to be alone with her anyway. “Thanks, Marc,” I say as he walks us out.

  “Sure, I’ll see you in two weeks.” He waves and turns the other way as we go to the garage and then drive to the Blackhall after picking up her vitamins.

  ONCE WE’RE INSIDE MY apartment, Brielle stands there, staring at the leather couch in the center of the room on top of the grey rug where we made our child.

  I scrub my hand down my face, yet when she turns around, her lips are quivering and her green eyes are pooling with moisture. I immediately close the distance between us and embrace her as she sniffs.

  “I’m so sorry about everything, Brielle. I really tried to protect you.”

  Her head shoots up as she clings to me, and I revel in it. “But you did. I simply don’t know how to feel now. I’m shocked and happy and feel guilty...”

  “Guilty for defending yourself? It was either you or him. He was the asshole who started this. If Ivo had just waited instead of panicking about being followed by the Syndicate, then I would’ve discovered he wasn’t the spy and left him alone. He brought this on himself.”

  “I guess that’s true.”

  “Your shock is normal though. A lot of information has been dumped on you, but we can’t allow Ivo to ruin our happiness.”