The Mafia King's Bride

Hostility And a Sort Of Date.

Pearl was roused from her restless sleep by the feeling of being picked up by someone large.

She was startled, her arms flailing around as she tried to fend off her attacker, but was quickly overpowered by strong, determined hands.

"Relax, Pearl. You are safe," a familiar voice belonging to her knight in shining armour ordered, and she immediately fell still.

Long eyelashes fluttered against red cheeks as she cautiously peeled her eyes open.

"Sorry about..." She trailed off awkwardly, resisting the urge to hide from him by burying her face into his neck.

He hummed, distractedly, his eyes on something up ahead and she shuffled in his arms to get a look too.

"Would you like to stand?"

"Uh." She really would not because being cradled in his arms was just the kind of comfort she needed at that moment. But she couldn't stay in his arms forever, so she nodded in agreement. "Sure, thank you."

Pearl swayed as she was set down on her feet, remnants of sleep still clogging her mind, and it took a few seconds to get ahold of herself.

When she felt more centered, she allowed her eyes to roam over her new surroundings.

It was a large area that stretched out for what seemed like miles, from what she could see and was surrounded by a tall fence that had armed men patrolling it.

Buildings were arranged in orderly little rows along the street and if not for the weapons and movement of crates and carts filled with things she did not allow her mind to linger on, the peace and cosiness would have tricked her into believing it was some weird little town.

"Welcome to the main compound of the Stone clan," introduced Everest with unconcealed pride in his work. "One of the many bases of our clan and my current home."

"Looks like something a cult leader would die for," she mumbled as she watched a little child being led by its mother and gasped when she realised what had come out of her mouth.

"I... I don't know what got into me. I am so sorry. I just..."

"Relax, Pearl," he brushed off with a small, strained smile that did little to make her relax. "We are not a cult and I am not some crazy... power-hungry... I am not a cult leader," he settled on with a discomforted frown. "Everyone is here of their own free will without any form of manipulation or coercion."

"Of course," she nodded, obediently, eager to move on from her blunder.

"For the most part," he added after a few seconds of consideration, and moved the discussion along before she had time to process it.

"Anyway, this is your home now and irrespective of the reception you will receive, you are welcome here."

Pearl frowned and fiddled with the large jacket, worry causing her to grow conscious of her clothes, or lack of. "What do you mean? Are people going to hate me?"

He studied her with a look in his dark eyes that was fitting for a parent staring at their child who had just discovered that Santa Klaus did not exist.

"McCarthy has hurt a lot of my people and while you are one of his victims, it will be difficult for those still healing to overlook the fact that you are his wife."

'But she had not wanted to marry him and if it wasn't for her useless dad, she would not have even been here having this conversation'. She wanted to argue but knew it would be useless.

The redheaded woman nodded in understanding and resignation and took his offered hand as he began leading her deeper into the compound.

All the excitement of being in a new place had become wariness and fear as she assumed that every glance, look or curious stare was masking a dangerous hostility towards her.

Pearl was no stranger to masks as she had worn one all her life, which is why she knew how effective they could be in hiding true intentions.

Right now, Everest was her only ally and the only person she could trust in that. She wondered what would happen when he eventually left her alone and how safe she would be in the midst of people who wanted their pound of flesh and saw her as a means to get it.

Maybe she should have stayed with Leonard and...

No.

Life with him was worse than hell and she would rather take anything the people of the Stone clan threw her way rather than go back to him.

"This is where I live," he spoke after what felt like hours of walking, "alongside, Predator and a few of my guests, and this is where you will live."

"Is that okay?" She asked, staring at the large building being painted with the last orange rays of the sun.

"Why wouldn't it be?" He whispered, his breath tickling the side of her face and she noticed for the first time how close they were standing.

"Because I am the wife of your enemy and I don't think your people will be happy to have me anywhere near you."

"Do you want to be married to Leonard?" He questioned, squeezing her softly with the arm that was wrapped around her form.

"God no."

"Then that's good enough for me," he concluded as he led her through the large courtyard surrounded by tall trees, and up the short flight of stairs that led to large oak doors.

"Evening, boss," greeted the two armed guards stationed on either side of the door, in sync, their blank eyes straying over to Pearl.

"Evening, gentleman," Everest responded easily and they opened both doors for him. "Keep up with the good work and keep your eyes to yourself."

"Yes, boss."

"Yes, boss."

He led her in with quick powerful strides and Pearl hurried to keep up with him as they entered the busy entrance hall that fell silent at their arrival.

The guards outside had disguised it well, but here the distrust and hate were palpable and she pressed deeper into Everest's side, fighting down the tears now bubbling in her eyes.

His arm tightened around her and his deep voice cut through the quiet air like a knife. "Have you all lost your manners and common sense? And are you capable of finding them yourselves or do you require assistance?"

Activity immediately restarted, many ignoring both of them while some threw less-than-impressed looks Pearl's way.

"I think reprimanding them because of me will worsen it," she whispered as he stood tall, taking in the bustle of activity with an eagle-eyed gaze.

"If you let people down on you once, they will look down on you some more for not fighting back and it becomes an endless cycle of disrespect and disregard." He lectured, with his head raised high.

She imagined a tiny Everest being given this same advice.

"If you want to make it in this world, you have to learn to claw your respect out of people's chests and paint yourself with their blood."

"And you say you're not a cult leader," she joked with a cheeky grin that widened when his lips twitched in a concealed smile.

"Let's get you settled in," he led her down the hallway, towards a turn on the right and she followed after, quickly growing used to the hostile stares.

They made their way through the maze-like structure he calls a home then finally came upon a hallway he informed her was his private wing of the house.

"This will be your bedroom from now on," he gestured at the door they were standing in front of and glanced down at his watch with an impatient tapping of his left foot.

"It has been fitted with everything you need but don't be afraid to ask for more."

"Thank you, Mr. Sto... Everest, for everything you have done." She said with a heartfelt smile and his face softened, the tapping coming to a stop.

"You're welcome. Dinner is usually at 7 but as our resident chef is... indisposed," he had an exasperated look on his face at the mention of this mystery chef, "you'll have to cook your own meal."

He glanced down at his watch again and she twiddled her thumbs, nervously before speaking.

"And what would you have for dinner if your resident chef is indisposed?"

"I usually stop by one of the families in the compounds or have the leftovers of whatever someone here cooks." He revealed with a thoughtful tilt of his head and a look in his eyes that let her know he already knew where she was going.

"Then if it is not too much of a bother, and you're free to disagree, can I cook dinner for you as a way of showing my appreciation?"

A few seconds of tense silence went by as he studied her and she found herself growing less confident.

She should not have asked, knowing the position she was in and it was stupid of her to think he would want her anywhere near what he would eventually put in his body.

"Okay," he agreed, and her already large eyes grew as wide as saucers.

"Really?" She asked with an excited grin and he nodded.

"I'll be back by 8:30 tonight and, if you're willing to, we could have dinner together."

"I would love that! Thank you." She threw her arms around him, bringing him into a hug before he had time to react and quickly pulled away with a beaming smile.

"I guess I'll see you at 8:30 with the best meal you have ever had in your life." she joked to hide her bashfulness.

"Consider it a date." He turned around and walked away, leaving a blushing and excited Pearl behind, who repeated those four words over and over again in her head.