Mafia Sins: The Mafia Romance Collection

by Bella King

  “And then I was free. I regrouped with the mafia and worked my way up the ranks, ultimately becoming the man I am today. I borrowed some money from the Malaugurio to pay your father for your hand in marriage so that I could take office in the US without arousing suspicion. That’s I ended up with you.”

  I gasp, my hands growing sweaty and itchy as my heart thuds quickly in my chest. “My father took a bribe?”

  “Indeed, he did. The man is as crooked as they come, but I can’t blame him too much. Eleven million dollars is a large sum,” Viktor replies.

  I’m equally flattered and disgusted that my hand in marriage was valued at eleven million. I’m not a woman who can be bought, but Viktor fought long and hard to get to me, and that must count for something.

  “And so, this is for power, not love,” I say, searching Viktor’s face for the truth.

  “It was, but now I’m not so sure,” Viktor replies, looking down.

  He’s not making eye contact with me, but I want him to. I want to see what the truth is, and the eyes are the windows to the soul. It’s the only way to know the truth.

  “Is this something important to you, Viktor? Am I important to you?” I ask.

  “Yes,” Viktor says, raising his head and meeting my eyes with such intensity that I jerk my head back in shock.

  Once I’m able to recollect myself, I give Viktor a long, hard look. “Then prove it. Stop this political bullshit. It’s a terrible scheme.”

  “I’ve been telling him this for years, but he won’t listen,” Dimitri chimes in from the front seat. “The motherfucker dragged me all the way from my home in Russia to prance around in the so-called country of freedom. I don’t feel very free right now.”

  I give Viktor a look, as though to say, “See, I told you so. Listen to us and do the right thing,” but no words actually leave my mouth.

  Viktor rubs his chin, the thick stubble making a scratchy sound as he tries to figure out what to say. I don’t think he knows what to do about me, but I doubt he wants to lose me. The choice is his, though. I won’t tolerate the lifestyle he’s living currently, and as much as I hate my father for basically selling me, I would hate it even more if Viktor carried through with his original plan.

  “You know what,” Viktor says after a few moments. “I think I’m going to have to reconsider my purpose in the United States.”

  “Good,” I begin to say, but Viktor cuts me off with a sudden interjection.

  “But,” he says, chopping his hand through the air between us. “I’m not giving up my mafia business.”

  I roll my eyes. “Ugh, can’t you do the right thing for once.”

  “Does that mean we’re going back to Russia?” Dimitri chimes in from the front again.

  Viktor shakes his head. “No. We have some unfinished business to take care of. Russia will still be there when we’re done.”

  “I don’t want to be here anymore. This place stinks,” Dimitri says.

  Viktor grits his teeth. “Then, you will be on a plane back once you deliver Cora and me to the Valivonia headquarters.”

  I squint at Viktor. “I don’t want to be a part of your mafia business.”

  “You have no choice, Cora. Like I told you before. They know you. The only way to get out of this is to pay off the debt, and the only way to do that is to expand my reach into the government.”

  The gears start turning in my head. “So, if you were to marry me, hypothetically, of course,” I add, not wanting to get ahead of myself. “Then, you would be able to pay off the Malaugurio here and go legit.”

  “I don’t know about going legitimate. I’ve never done that before,” Viktor says.

  “Do you want to marry me or not?” I ask, reclaiming some of my power over him.

  “Yes,” Viktor says, taking my hand in his. “Yes, I do want to marry you, Cora. You have shown me a different way of living that I didn’t think was possible.”

  “Why should I believe you?” I ask, but I can already see the truth in his eyes.

  Viktor smiles. “I will prove it to you, but first, to Valivonia.” He jabs a finger in the air, a smile spreading across his handsome face. There is a new light in his eyes, a gentle sparkle of a man that has just figured out his purpose.

  This won’t be easy, but it can be done. Viktor and I can have a new life together, if only he’s able to get it together and become a law-abiding man.

  I lean back into my seat, uncrossing my arms and letting a smile flicker over my mouth. For all that Viktor has done so far, I still like him. He’s a man with ambition, passion, and even though he would like to have me think that he has a heart made of coal, I know how to light his flame and make him mine.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cora

  The Valivonia mafia hangs out in an impressive castle that dates back hundreds of years. It’s a grand place, but it’s a bit frightening at the same time. I feel as though this is where a vampire would live. I stick close to Viktor as Dimitri drops us at the entrance and rides off into the sunset.

  “I’ll miss him,” Viktor says, watching the stolen car as it disappears around a bend in the road.

  “He was strange, but he was also right about a lot of things,” I reply.

  “That’s why he was my right-hand man. Maybe I can convince him to return at a later date, but I’ll let him go home and enjoy a liter of vodka with his friends before I bother him again. He hates the alcohol here.”

  I laugh. “Even the whiskey?”

  Viktor nods. “Especially that. Dimitri likes the sting of flavorless alcohol. The stronger, the better.”

  I wrinkle my nose at the thought of going back to vodka. I was under the impression that only reckless youth drank that sort of stuff during parties, and I’m long past those days. I never even quite got into it in the first place because of my sheltered home life.

  “You should stay close to me. The Valivonia are suspicious people, and if they think you’re not with me, they’ll shoot first and ask questions later,” Viktor explains, tugging my hand so that I’m walking nearly shoulder to shoulder with him.

  “Yessir,” I reply, only half-way mockingly. Truthfully, I feel like I can trust Viktor more now that I’ve heard the truth. It’s a lot to take in, but it feels better than being uninformed. The mystery is gone, and I’m left with decisions to make.

  Viktor walks up to the door guard and nods his head. “I’m here to see Mr. Peterson.”

  The guard looks back and forth between Viktor and me. “Why aren’t you wearing proper clothes?”

  “We ran into a bit of trouble with the Malaugurio a few hours ago. We seek shelter from them,” Viktor explains.

  “The Malaugurio? I wasn’t aware they were in the area,” the guard replies.

  “They are, and they have quite a few men with them. I need to speak with Mr. Peterson,” Viktor says, driving in his initial request.

  “I’m sorry,” the guard answers, tightening his grip on the rifle strapped to his chest. “He’s on in right now.”

  “Viktor Kazakov, you sly bastard,” a deep voice rings out from behind the guard. “I thought they would have killed you by now.”

  A man emerges from the castle, followed by two heavily armed men. It’s obvious at first glance that this is Mr. Peterson. Viktor’s eyes light up upon seeing him, and the guard that was denying his presence falls silent.

  “Jacob Peterson,” Viktor says, a smile spreading across his face. “What makes you think that anyone would kill me? I’m practically immortal at this point.”

  “Immortal?” Jacob replies with a laugh, coming to a stop in front of Viktor and me. “Not with a half-million-dollar bounty on your head, you’re not.”

  “Motherfuckers,” Viktor exclaims. “They really want their money back, don’t they?”

  Jacob smiles calmly. “It would seem to be so. I admit I was a bit worried about you when I heard the news, but it seems you’re fairing alright. You’ve even brought a beautiful woman with you.�
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  “My fiancé,” Viktor says proudly.

  I cling to Viktor’s arm as Jacob looks me up and down. This is the first time I’ve heard Viktor say the word fiancé, but I like the way it sounds.

  Jacob smiles at me. “You must be brave, marrying a troublemaker like Viktor.”

  I shrug. “I keep him in line.”

  Jacob lets out a deep laugh and looks back at Viktor. “I like her. Please, come in and put some proper clothes on. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m starving,” I blurt out as Jacob begins to turn.

  “Good,” he replies. “You two will join me for lunch. Then, we can talk.”

  I cling tightly to Viktor’s large bicep as Jacob strides through the castle with the utmost confidence. He appears to be a man who has everything figured out, and actually makes Viktor seem a tad bit meager, but I would never want a man like that. Jacob appears pompous, which I detest. He’s not unlike my father.

  “Viktor, I believe we can cut a deal later, but it will have to be between you and I. Your fiancé won’t be able to join the meeting,” Jacob says as we walk down the cold stone corridor that leads deep into the castle.

  “Certainly,” Viktor replies. “I’d like to get these Malaugurio fuckers off my back.”

  Jacob laughs again. He seems to find everything amusing. “Good, good. Then we shall eat our lunch, and then we will have the meeting. Your woman can explore the garden or something.”

  I don’t want to leave Viktor’s side, but I also don’t want to be involved in their mafia deals, especially if they don’t want me there. A nice walk in the garden might be just the thing I need to clear my head and think about what I’m going to do about Viktor.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Viktor

  Jacob Peterson is a man I know unfortunately well. While I have good relations with him, he’s always made it a point to show me up every chance he can get. I’ve never quite wanted to kill the man, but our relationship has been tense since the beginning.

  Now that I’ve amassed a great mafia force in Russia, he’s interested in what I have to say. Sure, I might be trouble, but he knows as well as I do that I’ve gained significant power over the past five years. I’m a formidable force in the mafia game.

  “You’re on the run from the Malaugurio,” Jacob says as he pours a glass of syrupy crimson wine into a diamond-encrusted glass. He’s flexing his wealth to me, but that’s what all the mafia bosses do when we encounter each other.

  “Only until I give their money back.”

  “Six million is a lot to repay,” Jacob notes, lifting the glass of wine to his lips.

  “It’s nothing to me,” I say, obviously boasting.

  “Well, in that case, there’s no need to make any deals, since you can pay it all back yourself,” Jacob replies playfully.

  I purse my lips. “Perhaps it would be better to make the deal, depending on your terms.”

  Jacob smiles, lowering his glass back down onto the stone table between us, the stain of wine on his upper lip. “I’d be willing to pay them the entire sum, and make sure they never speak to you again.”

  I’m surprised by his offer, but I know there will be a hefty price to pay. I bite my lip. “What’s the catch?”

  “There’s no catch, Viktor. There are only deals to be made here. You must obviously offer something in return for my generosity.”

  I chuckle. “Yes, I figured as much.”

  “Your connection in Russia are valuable. The mafia is strong there, but they’ve never tasted the wrath of an Italian before,” Jacob says, a smirk overtaking his thin lips.

  “What are you saying?” I ask, leaning in and narrowing my eyes.

  “I’m saying that you seem preoccupied with other things. Perhaps someone else should run your business in Russia for you.”

  I laugh. I can’t believe the words that are coming from his mouth. Jacob wants to buy my entire mafia organization for six million dollars? It’s taken me years to build it up that large. It’s worth ten times that amount, at least!

  “There’s nothing funny about what I said,” Jacob says, his face turning gravely serious. “I want to buy your mafia in Russia and expand my power there.”

  “I don’t think they’ll take too kindly to you doing that. I have some pretty tough enemies there as well,” I warn him.

  “I can handle it,” Jacob insists. “You just have to hand over the title, and I’ll make sure all of your problems disappear.”

  “Six million isn’t nearly enough though,” I say, testing him.

  “I’ll double it. You take home six million, and I give the Valivonia mafia six million. You’ll have enough to buy a nice little cottage for you and your lovely fiancé.”

  I don’t want to accept his offer yet because it’s too low, but it’s starting to sound appealing. Technically, I could start over again if I had to, but what’s to stop me from going straight for the first time in my life? Why not? Cora would like it. That’s for sure.

  “Twenty million,” I say, standing up from the plush emerald couch. “And you have the keys to unlock all of Russia.”

  Jacob shakes his head. “Ten million.”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Ten.”

  “Well, now you’ve talked yourself back up to twenty,” I say, crossing my arms.

  Jacob rolls his eyes. “You always were terrible at negotiations. Take fifteen and leave my fucking castle before I turn you over to the Malaugurio mafia so that they can hang you from the treetops by your intestines.”

  I nod as Jacob stands up and holds his hand out toward me. I shake it.

  The deal has been made, and I’m no longer a mafia boss. I wonder how Cora will feel about all of this when I tell her. She’s quickly become the only thing that’s truly important to me anymore, and I’m not the shrewd criminal that I once was. She’s softened me up, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I’ll probably live a lot longer this way.

  “It will take me a moment to collect the cash,” Jacob says as he steps back from me. “We will meet again in a week, and then go to Russia together to finalize the deal.”

  “I’m getting married in a week,” I reply.

  “Then it will be after the marriage. No rush. I’ll pay your bounty immediately, however, since I would prefer you not get yourself killed before we can finish our business together.”

  “You’re a saint,” I reply.

  “Only to those who I respect, Viktor. Love is a more noble conquest than simple crime. Unfortunately, I am still a simple man.”

  “I was too, until recently,” I say, appreciating his kind words.

  “Protect your love with everything you have, Viktor. You’re doing the right thing. Believe me. Power is a never-ending battle. Love, however, is a never-ending beauty.”

  A few weeks ago, I would have laughed at his words, but now I believe them with every ounce of my being. Love tastes sweeter than any other victory I’ve had. For me, Cora is my ultimate victory, and I would like to keep it that way.

  I thank Jacob, and we shake hands again. It’s time for me to leave and have an honest heart-to-heart with Cora. I can only hope that she sees that I’m not all that bad.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Cora

  The sun dances across a patch of golden flowers, reminding me of the lazy summers I once spent in the comfort of my father’s estate. Those days are over, but only if I truly want them to be.

  I squat down in front of the flowers, running my hand over their delicate petals. They’re innocent like I once was before I was picked by the devilishly handsome Viktor Kazakov and whisked away to a new life filled with danger and romance.

  There’s a seductive appeal to that kind of lifestyle. It’s certainly more interesting than anything I’ve done in the past twenty-two years that I’ve been on this planet. Viktor has opened my eyes to so many things, and he has opened my legs to so many others.

  I smile to myself at the thought of making love to Viktor
again. If he does truly want to marry me for reasons of love, then I will do it, but only for love. I won’t fall into a trap meant to give Viktor more power. He must repent from his life of sin and start anew with me. It’s the only way things will ever work out between us.

  Sadly, with whatever deal he’s making with that snake, Jacob Peterson, I doubt he will be willing to give up on his twisted pursuit of power. I wish he would understand that love is much greater, but maybe he’s not the right man for me. Maybe love isn’t his journey, and maybe it isn’t even mine.

  I stand up straight, cupping my hand over my eyes to shield them from the lemon rays of the sun. I gaze across the yard to a willow tree, slumped over in the heat. It reminds me of the ones that are at the estate I grew up on. They’re so beautiful, but they hold so much sorrow in their leaves. There aren’t many trees that are so expressive as the willow tree.

  I ponder whether I should wander that far away from the castle without Viktor. He told me to stick close to him, but then promptly abandoned me to walk in the gardens while he did business with Jacob.

  A breeze sweeps through the flowers, bringing up a fine dust of pollen. I sneeze.

  “Bless you,” Viktor says from behind me, his voice deep and gentle.

  I spin around. “Viktor. I thought you were still in the castle.” My heart beats fast as he steps into the cluster of flowers with me.

  “I’m finished with Jacob. It’s time for us to leave.”

  “Where are we going to go? The Malaugurio mafia is still after us,” I reply.

  Viktor shakes his head. “No,” he says, taking both my hands in his and looking me in the eyes. “I’ve made a deal.”

  My heart skips a beat. “What deal?”

  A bittersweet smile spreads across Viktor’s face, and I’m worried he has done something terrible. I wanted all of this to work out, but if he forces me into more dangerous situations, I’ll have to go back to my father. I can’t marry a man who will put me in danger.