Married to Mafia Boss novel Chapter 34

Aria’s POV

Gabriel watched me brandishing the pen like a weapon, amusement flickering in his eyes.

I know you won’t hurt me, Atis, he said softly, confidently. Deep down, you still have a place for me in your heart

A wave of nausea swept through me. Is he still this delusional?

You know nothing about me, I replied coldly.

Gabriel moved forward again, and my heart clenched as his hand reached for my face.

I swiftly struck out with the pen, then grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray from Roberto’s desk. Without hesitation, I swung it with all my strength.

A sickening crack echoed through the room as the ashtray connected with his forehead, Blood immediately trickled down his fare, leaving a crimson trail on his olive skin.

But instead of anger, his expression showed an infuriating smile.

“Ah, my dear Aria,” he said, touching the blood almost curiously with his fingertips. I’ll allow you this little tantrum. When you calm down, you’ll come home with me, and we’ll never be apart again.”

“Gabriel Castro, you complete psychopath! What the hell do you want from me?”

His smile widened, blood dripping onto the collar of his expensive suit. “I like when you use my full name. It sounds like a spell on your lips.

I backed away until I hit the edge of the desk. “I will never–ever–have anything to do with you again.”

Gabriel’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with that predatory gleam I remembered. “Aria, you’ve always been my prey. As long as I don’t let go, you I never escape my control.”

He took another step toward me, swaying slightly. “You know, you’re special. Different from the others. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”

His voice dropped low. “The things I’ve done to find you again… you have no idea.”

Before I could react, he suddenly pitched forward. The blood loss and sudden excitement had been too much, and he collapsed heavily to the floor.

Seconds later, the door burst open. Two men in dark suits rushed in–members of the Red Scorpion family, judging by the small red pins on their lapels.

“Mr. Castro is injured!” one shouted, kneeling beside him. ‘Call an ambulance!”

The other man looked at me, then at the bloody ashtray still clutched in my hand. His eyes narrowed. “This crazy woman attacked the Red Scorpion heir.”

Within minutes, the office was filled with Gabriel’s people. Someone wrenched the ashtray from my hand, while another grabbed my arm firmly and took my phone.

As they led me out, I heard one say: “Take her to the police station!”

Cold and lifeless, the police station reeked of disinfectant and desperation.

They locked me in a small interrogation room with gray walls and a metal table bolted to the floor. No windows, just a buzzing fluorescent light overhead that made me squint.

What felt like hours but was probably just minutes passed as my mind raced. Will they charge me with assault? Will Marco know?

1/3

I heard police officers moving in the hallway outside. Two stopped, speaking in hushed tones.

“Mr. Castro says he doesn’t want to press charges against the woman, one officer said, barely audible, “But he wants her detained for a few days. To teach.. her a lesson.‘

The other officer nodded. “You know we can’t mess with the Red Scorpion family. Whatever they say goes.”

I suspected they were deliberately letting me hear this–Gabriel’s way of showing me I could never truly escape him. With just a word, he could have me locked up or released.

1 hugged my knees to my chest, trying to make myself smaller, warmer.

My thoughts drifted back to three years ago, to how my family became entangled with the Castros.

The Rossi family had once been wealthy–not powerful like the great families, but respected for their textile business. When business turned sour, my father, desperate to restore our family’s standing, began working with the Castro family.

We sold our ancestral home in Portano and moved to the wealthy district where the Red Scorpion family resided. Gradually, the Rossi family became their vassals.

Three years ago, I nearly became engaged to Gabriel, but I never imagined he was just using me. He didn’t care about women’s feelings, he’d even been involved in the evil business of trafficking young girls.

A sudden commotion in the hallway pulled me from my memories. Voices raised outside the door.

“Who authorized this detention?” someone demanded sharply. “What is she being charged with?”

“Sir, we were ordered to-”

“By whom? I’m Chief Carli, and I don’t remember signing off on this!”

Chief Carli’s voice grew angrier, rising in volume.

“What have you done?” Chief Carli shouted. “You detained Mr. Vittorio’s secretary without due process? Are you insane?”

More mumbling, then, “The Castro family’s orders? Why didn’t you say so?” Chief Carli’s tone immediately shifted, becoming respectful. “However, Mr. Vittorio is here now, release her immediately-”

My heart leaped. Marco came?

The door opened, and I looked up to see him standing in the doorway. He wore an impeccably tailored navy Italian suit, his broad shoulders filling the frame.

What took my breath away were his deep eyes–filled with a fury I’d never seen before, but instantly softening when they landed on me.

He strode across the room and crouched before me.

“Aria…” he said, his tone gentle despite the anger in his eyes. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

A wave of relief washed over me. Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my face against his shoulder.

His strong arms encircled me, steady and sure. “It’s okay now,” he murmured against my hair. ‘I’m taking you home.”

As he helped me to my feet, I noticed the officers hovering anxiously by the door. They looked at Marco with expressions ranging fre

As we walked out, Marco kept his arm around me, his body slightly in front of mine as if to shield me.

I couldn’t help but notice–everyone seemed to shrink back as we passed.

Everyone was afraid of this man beside me!

ous to terrified.