The Heiress

"You're having a party to introduce me?" Grace nearly dropped her fork as she gaped at her grandfather on the other side of the table. "Why would you do that? Wouldn't that put me in more danger?" Not sure it matters at this point, anyway.

"While our family knows about you, I want a proper introduction, and I want everyone to know exactly who you are, and that I won't tolerate anyone messing with you. We will also introduce you to your candidates for your future husband and the future boss of the Bertolottis family," Ray explained.

"I guess we're not keeping this arrangement between the people involved, then." It'll get around that I'm with the mafia now, and it's not like I have the time or the option to say no or at least delay it. But if the cops are already corrupt and filled with mafia members, does that mean no one would care, and I can continue to be a cop?

"It'll only be people in two other mafia families; the ones with someone looking for your hand."

"Did you plan all this before kidnapping me, or can you organize something like this that quickly?"

"While we are an organized crime syndicate and can get together quickly, I've been thinking about you and planning this for months. I had to find the right people for you."

"What makes you think they're right for me?" Shouldn't I get to decide that?

He set his fork down and sat straight up. "Do you doubt me?"

"To be fair, I don't know you."

"I suppose, but I have an entire mafia family that relies on me on a daily basis. I have to keep us safe, strong, thriving, and together. I know how to read people. I know how to judge people. I know who would make a good leader."

"But you don't know what I'd look for in a husband."

Ray sighed. "I've kept more of an eye on you your entire life than you know. I know what few boyfriends you've had over the years, none of which ended all that well. Some people find it hard to deal with a smart, strong woman, but I've found people who can match you."

Can't say I'm not intrigued. When was the last time I even went on a date? "But didn't you say Zain was one of the options? I understand he's your underboss, but I don't think we get along well."

"Funny, you two seem to work well together, from what I heard. You two took the shooter down before the other men even had a real chance to try."

Information goes fast around here. "We didn't really work together on that. He shot him in the leg after I disarmed him."

"Sounds like teamwork to me, and he did save you."

"That part... is true." Grace sighed. "But to be fair, I wouldn't be shot at by them if I wasn't kidnapped and brought here in the first place."

His expression darkened. "I didn't want to ever tell you this, but that's not true. You've had more people after you than you know, but I had people around to protect you. You never noticed, did you? Even while you were out on your job, I had someone following so they could protect you."

"I've been being stalked this whole time, and I never noticed?" Grace shuddered, wondering how much they'd seen of her embarrassing behaviour.

"I wouldn't call it stalked; I call it protected. They are professionals who made sure to stay out of your life unless absolutely necessary. You've even met one before, but they didn't let you know, and I took them off that task after the incident. I didn't want you to recognize them."

"So I've been saved before? By who?"

"Does it matter? It was in the past and under orders."

I don't think he likes me asking questions. I guess that makes sense, considering he's a mob boss and all. Grace sighed and stared at the half-eaten pancakes sitting in front of her.

"What's wrong, Gracy?"

"Is that a real question?"

"What do you mean?"

"You pop up out of nowhere and basically uproot my life; what do you think is wrong? I don't know you, grandpa, and worse, you're a mob boss. Why'd you resort to kidnapping instead of talking to me?"

"Are you saying you would've come here otherwise?"

"No, but we could've had a familial relationship before this, though." I wouldn't have been left alone after my other grandparents died.

"You're right; I'm sorry, but there's no going back in time. There's no changing the choices I've already made, and the time that's passed, so all I can do is look to the future, which I'm hoping you will be a large part of."

Hoping? I don't have a choice. Poor Roger. "Can I ask you for something?"

"Anything other than taking away you being my heir."

"Can you let me see Roger every day? Or at least let him out for some fresh air. I'm worried he'll rot down there."

Ray chuckled. "You care for your friend quite a bit." He nodded. "I don't know about every day, but as long as you're escorted by someone capable, like Zain, you can visit him. As for letting him go outside, that's more of a risk. I'd rather you be married and settled into the family before letting him out."

"Even if it's just for a walk around the estate?"

"Even so."

Damn. "You said you have people on the force already; will you let me go back to my job as a cop?"

"We'll see how things go. For now, you're not to leave the estate."

"And none of this seems crazy to you?"

Ray shook his head. "Things could be much worse, and this was the only path I saw working."

"In your favour, at least."

"Yes, working in my favour."

"Aren't you two too serious for a mere breakfast conversation?" an older woman asked, coming in from the adjoining kitchen.

"You're right, Mary, as usual."

Grace's eyes trailed over to Mary, who was wearing an apron with plenty of pockets and a few holes.

"Mary, this is my granddaughter, Grace," Ray introduced them. "Mary is the cook, housekeeper, and basically a chatelaine who keeps this place and the rowdy boys in line."

"Yes, yes, I've heard about you. I'm glad to have another woman in this place; there aren't enough of us around." Mary sighed and approached Grace. "Come to me if you need anything." She patted Grace on the shoulder.

"Thank you." Okay, maybe not everyone here is bad.

"I'm basically a den mother in this place." She sighed. "If anyone gives you trouble, let me know."

"I will. Thank you."

"Then again, I heard you even gave Zain a run for his money. He's a tough nut to handle, but a good egg in the long run."

"I wonder about that," Grace muttered. He saved me, but that's a part of his job.

"Mary here is also the one who filled your closet with new clothes and chose out a dress for tonight."

"I have to wear a dress?" When's the last time I wore one?

"It's a party; I want you looking your best."

"I think I look best in my uniform."

Ray shook his head and sighed. "I have no intention of letting everyone know you're a cop."

"Really picking and choosing what information you tell the others, aren't you?"

"Naturally."

"Even though you're hoping I'll marry one of these men?"

"The ones I chose know the truth, and they're okay with it."

"Have you thought about the fact that I won't be okay marrying a criminal?"

"You won't have to get involved with the criminal activity; only your husband will be as the new boss. Don't worry, I'll show them all the ropes and make sure they know what lines we Bertolottiss don't cross."

"So, there are lines we don't cross? What is our family involved in?"

"You're not going to like it either way, with how high and mighty you seem about doing the right thing, but fine; we'll talk about it. I'll start with how we have many storefronts, but they are all legit. We deal in drugs and arms as well, but a lot of money comes from pizzo."

No surprise there; most mafia live off protection money, right?

"Our main profits are from a casino with an underground black market."

I feel like the more I know, the harder it'd be to even attempt to get away.

"You won't like the sound of it, but we do something others would see as human trafficking."

"Excuse me?" Her expression darkened.

"But we help the girls who are being trafficked already find a way out. We also train them in manners and whatnot, and offer those who want it, marriage to men who are looking for a wife. You'd be surprised how many rich folk around have trouble finding someone."

"So... You're still selling them?"

"Some of them into marriage, but only if they agree to it. Don't give me that look. We research everyone who comes looking for a wife to know if they're an abuser or not. We might be on the rough side, but we're not into abusing our spouse, or kids, or anything like that. Still, we like having a way to continue and profit." He motioned with his hands towards their surroundings.

I suppose it's not 'that' bad. Damn; I'm already looking the other way! Tainted cop in such a short time. "You're not going to force me to learn special manners or anything, are you?"

"No; you're fine the way you are. Besides, you're a mafia princess now; who's going to have the gull to complain about you?"

"Zain, I imagine, or whoever you're trying to marry me off to."

"You make it sound like I've set everything up already. I am letting you choose from the best of the bunch."

"The best? And yet they're all a part of the mafia."

"Of course they are. How else would we strengthen our family?"

"Fine, if that's the case, then why is Zain one of the options? He's already a part of this family, so shouldn't he be out of the question?"

"Zain would strengthen us within, and technically, he came from a different family."

Grace thought about it for a moment. "Are you sure he'd want to be used for this family, then? And why is he here?"

"He's already agreed to be one of the candidates."

I have a feeling there's more to this than he wants to say.

"You're such a curious woman, just like your mother." He chuckled, a small smile playing on his face.

"Did you like her? I mean, were you against those two being together?"

"I liked her. She was a smart, strong woman such as yourself. Despite what they may have thought, I was never against them marrying." He sighed, his eyes down-turned.

From the looks of it, he probably saw her as a daughter, anyway. Too much care in that expression. I suppose even mafia members aren't so cold when it comes to their real family.

He looked at the clock on the wall. "It seems I no longer have time for food, so I'll be off. I'll see you soon, Gracy." Ray left and Zain slid into his place.

"Asking about me?" He smirked and picked up Ray's fork. "Why waste food, right?"

"Shouldn't I? Potential partner... And I agree with you there." Grace slowly started to eat her pancakes again. "It's best not to waste."

His eyes didn't leave her as he ate.

"Do you have to stare so much?" Grace muttered.

"I can't help it; you're such an interesting creature."

"What did you call me?!" she snapped at him.

He laughed. "I'm joking. I was lost in thought, and you're fun to tease."

"Ugh... When can I see Roger?"

Zain's expression dropped. "Might not want to keep seeing him."

"Why's that? We're friends."

"You see him as a friend, but I'm not so sure on the other way around."

"He knows we're just friends. What does that matter, anyway?"

"You don't understand men, do you? Some of us, especially in this industry, get jealous easily, and won't take well to you running off to see some other man on a daily basis." Zain finished off the pancakes and set the fork down.

"Is this your way of trying to warn me about how you are? You didn't seem too keen on Roger being around in the first place."

"Yes, and I think the other two candidates are even worse that way."

Right... there're two people I don't know yet. "How am I supposed to choose someone? What if I don't like any of the choices? Is he still going to make me choose the next leader?"

"I can't really speak for the boss, but it's possible. He might make the choice for you."

Grace leaned forward and stared into his eyes. "And there's no way out of this?"

"The only way out of the mafia is..." Zain trailed off and dragged his thumb across his neck. "Is death."

"How nice for me." Maybe I should fake my death and move to a different country. Who am I kidding? He'd probably figure it out somehow and track me down again.

"You realize you won't have too much to do for the mafia, Miss Princess?"

"Please stop calling me that. In case you haven't noticed, I've never been, nor will I ever be, a princess."

"You're the boss' granddaughter; by default, you are."

"Ugh... So, anyway, what am I actually supposed to do here? I'm not used to sitting around doing nothing."

"Not going to spend hours getting ready for the party?"

"Hours? Why would it take so long?"

Zain shrugged. "You'd be surprised how long some people take to get ready." He hummed as he thought. "I'd love to take you to the orphanage we sponsor, but you're not allowed off the estate yet."

"Even though you have a hostage?" I guess if I'm stuck here for life, the least I could do is use their resources for something good. An orphanage sounds likes a good place for that, but how do you make things better for them all?

"Don't worry; you'll be able to leave later, it's just for a little while."

"Well, if there's nothing to do, and you won't let me see Roger, I might as well go back to my room."

"I think even I'd get bored stuck in there all day." Zain scratched his chin as he thought.

"I'm not going anywhere; I don't need a babysitter." She tried to shoo him away.

"Too bad."