The Heiress

"Arg," Roger groaned as he was shoved into a cement room in the basement. It had a bed and a small window up above that he knew he wouldn't fit through.

The mobster who shoved him in took off his restraints. "You'll be staying here for now," he said, smirking down at him.

"You realize I'm a cop, right?"

"We would normally avoid kidnapping a copper, but this time, it doesn't matter; we need you."

"For how long?"

He shrugged. "Until the princess has accepted her fate and taken over... or rather, married the new boss."

Roger's eyes widened. "You're going to force her to marry someone you chose?"

"Not me, but well... The boss will give her options, but whomever she marries will be the new boss. She's his blood; it's her duty."

"But she has nothing to do with him. And what if he didn't have any next of kin? Wouldn't it have to be someone else, anyway? Why didn't they act like he didn't instead of dragging her into this?"

He shrugged. "I'm just a runt; I only know so much. I guess he couldn't ignore her existence."

"He could, but he chose not to."

"I'm not going to question the boss." He turned to leave.

"Wait, when can I see Grace?"

"When the boss lets her come to see you." He left and closed the door.

"Which could be never, I guess. Grace, please be safe. I don't want to lose another partner."

I have to find Roger and get out of here. Grace paced around the bedroom, going through as many scenarios in her mind as she could think of. If I broke the door down, it'd draw too much attention, and I'd be captured again. The vent is too small to use to go around. There is no tree near this window, and I'm on the third floor. It's sad that jumping from the third floor is the best option I can think of.

"Arg!" She ruffled her hair as she growled. There has to be a way out of this. Think, Grace, think. Roger is probably in the basement, or with the size of this place, he could be in any of the dozens of bedrooms. To find him, I also have to get out of this room. She looked through the window at the balcony. I wonder if I can get over to a different balcony and exit from there. But if I'm on the third floor, that's extra stairs I might be caught at.

Grace pushed opened the balcony door and stepped out into the fresh air. The only thing she was certain about was that she had to use the balcony somehow. She looked over and saw another balcony for the room next door, but there was light coming out from the bedroom.

I guess it's being used, which means I can't just jump to the next one over.

Grace peeked over the side of the balcony and smiled. It was built with offset balconies, so they weren't all in a line. The ground might've been too far, but the balcony below wasn't.

Now, to drop down without whoever's next door noticing. She climbed onto the other side of the balcony railing and bent down. After a deep breath, she grabbed the railing spindles and swung herself slightly as she let go, and dropped down onto the balcony below.

Thud.

Yikes, I need to land lighter. At least there's no one in this room, but this is still too high up.

Grace looked over the edge again and tried to ready herself for a repeat performance. The balcony below was bigger and spanned multiple door openings.

Must be to the living room or something. I have to be careful.

The lights were off in the living room, and since it was getting late, maybe no one would be around.

Okay, Grace, one more floor, and then I'll have to be stealthy. I have to get Roger out of here.

Pulling off the same manoeuvre, Grace dropped to the balcony below.

Thud.

Things weren't the same, though. She had swung down and ran into someone, knocking them over.

"Damn it all to hell," she cursed and pushed off from them.

"Arg..." Zain groaned and opened his eyes. "You..." His eyes went wide. "What are you—"

She rolled away and took off running, checking on the doors along the way until she found an open one.

If only I wasn't worried about Roger, I could've made a break for it for real.

"No, you don't."

"Ah!" Grace yelped as her arm was yanked back. She automatically swung a fist at him, but he caught it, and crushed her hand a bit before pulling her over his shoulder. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She pounded on his solid back, ignoring the pain in her hand.

"I can't believe you actually dropped down from the balcony above." Zain laughed as he carried her away. "I guess I'll never know what to expect from you."

"Arg! Put me down, you big oaf!" She elbowed him in the back of the head as she kicked, hoping to loosen his grip.

"Ah." He stumbled a step, seeing stars for a moment. He regained his composure fast and growled at her. "Did you forget we have your partner?"

No, I was trying to get to him!

"If you don't be good, we'll have to take it out on him." Zain slapped her butt hard and kept walking.

"Ah!" she squeaked out a yelp. "What the hell was that?!"

"Me taking it easy on you, that's what. I'm generally against hitting women, but with your behaviour, you deserve to be punished. A good spanking ought to do."

"Try it and I'll make sure you're never truly with a woman ever again." Damn it all to hell! I had one shot to find Roger, and I screwed it up!

Zain stopped for a moment, ruminating on her words, and cringed. Would she actually do it? From what he'd seen of her so far, he didn't doubt she was capable of it.

"Maybe I'll stick with taking it out on your partner. Now, what shall we do with you?" Zain walked through the halls, heading for her grandfather's room. "I can't imagine he'll be too happy with you right now."

"Am I supposed to care about that?"

"Poor Roger; you don't think about him at all."

"Tch..." Can I not do anything? Geez... Every chance he gets, he's going to threaten Roger.

"I wonder if that means we need to find more than one hostage, or should I say insurance package? Not that you seem close to anyone else. From our findings, he's the only person you see outside the station since your other grandparents passed."

"You researched me?"

"Extensively; we had to be prepared. You didn't make all of this easy on us, though. It's a good thing we're used to being organized."

Despite the late time of day, there were still people roaming the halls. They got quite a few odd looks, but no one dared to say anything to Zain about her.

The man outside of Ray's office cocked an eyebrow.

"We need to talk to the boss about her," Zain said.

"He's retired for the night. I could wake him, but..."

Zain sighed. "We both know he doesn't take well to his sleep being disturbed." He turned to Grace on his shoulder. "What am I supposed to do with you now? We can't have you running away. We need you to continue the family."

"Only because of some crappy traditions," Grace mumbled. "You guys should be leaving that in the past. If anything, as a cop, I should be telling you to stop with all the crime in the first place."

"It's not like we're only bad. We're a family, and we support each other. And we keep even worse people off the streets. We are the protectors of this area. And if you actually knew something about us, you'd know our control over the drugs keeps it safer."

"It's drug trafficking! Can you not try to glorify it?"

"Do you have any idea how many nasty drugs are laced with even worse things that would be out and about if we didn't have control? Do you know the business we bring to the locals by being here? Do you know how a big mafia family like ours protects—"

"Can you stop talking to me while I'm on your shoulder?" Geez, I don't think I've ever been this embarrassed since I became a cop.

"I don't know. You're a bit of a flight risk."

"Don't I at least deserve to have a dignified conversation with you?"

Zain rubbed his chin as he thought and looked at the guard, who averted his gaze.

"And you guys want me to be the next mafia boss wife; I don't think this would be a good way for the others to see me."

"I think she has a point," the guard finally spoke up. "Boss lady will need to be seen as strong and in charge, or no one will listen to her. You know how rowdy our bunch can be?"

"Ha... So troublesome," Zain grumbled. "If I become the next boss, nobody would see this as odd."

"What makes you think I'd choose a brute like you?" Grace asked as she wriggled around.

"Because I care the most about this family. I know you'll have other options, as we try to link to other ones to grow, but I think staying in the family is for the best."

"Why in the world would you want to link to another one? Couldn't that mess with your current family?"

"To make it stronger. And so long as a Bertolottis is in charge, we can keep it the same."

"I'm not a Bertolottis, I'm a Morris."

"I hope you're not too attached to that name, because you'll legally be a Bertolottis soon enough."

"Since I'm not signing off and agreeing to it, it's not legal." Shouldn't surprise me if they have their people in government offices and whatnot. They're probably a bigger mafia family than I ever imagined.

"In the system, it'll look like you legally changed it."

"Ugh, seriously, can you let me down? This isn't comfortable at all." His shoulder was digging into her stomach.

"Seeing as I can't leave you alone, I guess we'll have to bunk together."

"What?! No way! I'm not sharing a bedroom with you."

"Does that mean you'd prefer an underground prison bedroom?" Zain asked.

That should be where Roger is. "Yes."

"Well, too bad. I can't trust you to be alone, and I have a feeling most of the other men would have trouble dealing with you." Even he had trouble with her, and he was their best fighter. "So you're going to have to put up with me being in the same bedroom for now."

"Dammit," she cursed and slammed her fists on his back again as he headed back upstairs.

"Thanks for the massage." He laughed and adjusted her on his shoulder.

"Oof..." He's being rough on purpose! Arg...

Zain made his way to her room and tossed her onto the bed.

"Geez, what am I, a sack of potatoes?" She held onto her spinning head.

"If you want to be treated like a lady, then act like one."

Grace rolled her eyes. "Like you'd notice the difference."

He smirked. "At least you're aware of your behaviour."

"There's no way I'll be able to sleep with you in here." Or in this room at all, unless I've hit a few walls on staying awake. "So please leave."

"No." He shook his head and sighed, tired of her already.

"See? Asking nicely doesn't get me anywhere," Grace growled and threw a pillow at him. It hit him straight in the face and fell to the floor.

"I'm not your girl friends; I'm not going to have a pillow fight with you." He stepped towards her with a dark glint in his eyes. "If you're trying to play with me, though, I won't turn a beauty like you down."

"I'll pass." I'd like to give you a knuckle sandwich and knock that smile off your face.

He pressed his hands into the bed as he leaned in closer. "Let me warn you now, missy; if you keep acting out, you'll force my hand."

She leaned in, glaring. "I'm not afraid of you. In case you've forgotten, I'm only here because you brought the entire gang to capture me, and you took a hostage."

"Ha, that's nowhere near all of us. And I don't actually need them to beat you, but I was trying to get you here without hurting you, so I kinda had to go a different route. Now, I know I don't like to hit women, but do I have to prove myself here and now?"

"You still have a hostage; it wouldn't be fair." She shoved him away. It took more force than she was expecting to move him, and she ended up shoving herself back.

"I suppose you're right, but now you've gotten me riled up for a fight." He licked his lips and set his gun aside on the dresser.

Maybe I should just knock him out and go for Roger. He seems to be the biggest problem, so if he's out of the picture, I'll be able to get both of us out.

Grace stood on the bed. "I guess we should just settle this."

He combed his hand through his dark hair and chuckled. "Ready when you are, babe."

"Babe?" Grace's eye twitched. "You're going down." She lunged at him.

He was ready for her. His reach was longer than hers, so he caught her mid-air and threw her back.

"Ah..." She bounced as she hit the bed and rolled off the side, cursing as she knocked a vase over off the nightstand. Staying low as he rounded the bed, she hooked his ankle with her foot and tripped him.

The bed caught him, and she tried to run for his gun. He grabbed her arm to yank her away from it, and she twisted around, flipping him over her shoulder.

Despite landing hard, he latched onto her arm and pulled her down into a crushing bear hug from behind.

"Frig..."

"I'll admit you're good, but maybe you should fight someone in your own weight class."

"Don't you dare look down on me," Grace growled and lifted her arms away from herself as much as she could. She twisted around, breaking his grip, and immediately went for a knee bar.

"Ah!" Zain yelped in pain.

The bedroom door slammed open.

"What is going on in here?!" Ray yelled, having been woken up after people kept hearing noise from her room. He had gotten their head butler to unlock the door for him. His eyes went to Grace and Zain on the floor as she held him in a knee bar.

Zain tapped on her arm twice, trying to signal to let go, and she tightened her hold. "Arg..."

"Do I have to repeat myself?"

Grace's shoulders jumped, and she accidentally let go. Zain pulled away and got to his feet. "Sorry for the noise, Boss."

"I didn't ask for an apology; I asked what was going on!" A vein popped out of his head.

Zain knew Ray would catch any lie he spewed, so he had only one option. To tell the truth. "I caught her when she tried to escape out the balcony. You had gone to bed, so I brought her back here and stayed to keep guard. She attacked me, and we fought... and ended up like how you saw us."

"Escaped out the balcony? We're on the third floor." Ray's eyes went over to Grace, who was standing off to the side with her arms crossed as she stared at the nightstand to distract herself. "You're just like your father." He sighed. "Troublesome boy who liked to run off and hide from his duties. He also liked to run away to date your mother. She was a beauty like you, and strong. I can see so much of them in you."

"Hey, Ray?" Grace wasn't sure what to call him, but he nodded. "If you wanted your blood to be the next boss, why didn't you end up bringing your son back here?"

"I had two children, once upon a time. My second son was willing to take over after he left, but he wasn't ready and got in over his head. He ended up dead. I thought your father would be safer away from us, but he was killed as well."

"Doesn't that mean I'm not safe either way? I think you should rethink this whole mafia heir thing."

"I have thought about it extensively, and came to the conclusion that I want you here."

There's no talking him down from this.

"You're a cop; aren't you used to danger?" Zain asked.

Grace glared at him. "I feel safer as a cop than with the mafia."

Ray waved the other people with him away and stepped closer. "I planned to talk to you more later, but I suppose I can't delay it. In my recent years, I've come to realize that I should've kept my blood family closer to protect them. You're the only blood relation I have left and—"

"That still wouldn't mean I'd be a mafia princess or whatever. You two do understand I'm a cop, right? And I'm not a corrupt one. I uphold the law, many of which you've broken, and I can arrest you for."

"My sweet granddaughter, you may be clean, but not all cops are. We have people in higher positions than you, who could also take your job away in an instant."

"Is that a threat?"

"I've already decided you will choose the next leader and take them as your husband, and I'll do what I have to do to make sure it ends up that way."

Maybe he's just a cranky old man set in his ways.

"I've let you roam around on your own long enough. Your place has always been here with me, with the Bertolottis family."

"Shouldn't I have a choice in this matter?" Don't know about being a cop anymore under these circumstances.

"No; I've already named you as my heir. There's no going back now."

"Just say you changed—"

"No," he growled and cleared his throat when she flinched back. "I know you don't understand this way of life, but I can't go back on my decision now. Everything is set in place. You will meet your other suitors tomorrow."

Grace froze as she stared at him. She blinked a few times, and her eyebrow cocked up. "What?"

"You have three options to choose from between another boss' son, a current boss – though he's young still – and our underboss here."

"You have to be kidding me." Grace glanced at Zain, and he winked at her. "Seriously, just give him the position and leave me alone."

Ray leaned in close to her. "You seem to be as stubborn as me. While I do admire it, I don't like people talking back to me like that. I suppose someone like you would have to see our good side to be talked into it, but who knows how long that could take? I guess we'll have to use the hostage."

Roger...

"Fine," Grace huffed and sat down on the bed. "I won't run away, but I do have a request, grandpa."

The corner of his mouth quirked up. "What is it?"

"Let me see Roger. I need to know he's alive and well."

"You'll meet the candidates tomorrow without a fuss if we let you see him?"

Grace gritted her teeth. "Yes."