Jett

10 - My brother cannot be serious?

Maria

I have sat in my room for three weeks and am not allowed to visit or have visitors. None since Avery left that night. Tony is now my personal bodyguard, and he is to guard me with his life. Should I try to leave, Tony will call my brother immediately after dragging me back to my room however he sees fit.

I’m not going to try to leave.

Where the hell would I even go?

I don’t have an apartment anymore because Draven had my personal belongings packed up and brought here – because Jett hadn’t managed to get my things before seeing his father.

Draven then rented the place out to one of his men. I mean, I know I’ve done something terrible by getting knocked up by a bad-boy biker, but is he really that ashamed of me that he’d have me locked up like this?

Locked up and away from the outside world?

He didn’t go this far with Avery. He had her shadowed, but he didn’t lock her up. She was still allowed out of the house if she wanted to go. I feel like I’m not even allowed to do that.

I hate this right now.

I’m meeting my future husband tonight at dinner. A man Draven told me would take the baby on as his own and care for us both so that no one else ever needs to know what I’ve done. I took it from that no one outside his house, meaning he, Tony, Avery, Ghost, Hammer, and Willow, knew about the baby.

Of course, the whole Snakes Henchmen motorcycle club knows about what happened between Jett and me, but I’m assuming my brothers have sworn them all to secrecy upon pain of death.

I don’t know how Draven thinks we can get away with lying to the family. I’m almost five months pregnant. I’ve already got a curve to my belly.

What are we supposed to tell the family?

That the baby was born five months early?

That this man and I had an affair before we got married?

Wouldn’t that still bring shame upon him?

I don’t think Draven has really thought this through.

I tried to tell Draven that Jett would never let another man raise his child, that he’d tell people the truth, and that he would want to know his child. My brother has no right to push Jett out like that. Draven said that Jett knows to keep his mouth shut or he’ll kill Jett’s whole family right in front of his eyes. That hurt me so much because I knew he meant it.

I tried to appeal to Draven’s softer, sweeter side. Yes, he has one when it comes to me. I wanted to make him understand how Jett must be feeling. This baby inside of me is of his blood, and he has rights. He must be so hurt by all of this. Draven didn’t care. He told me that Jett was nothing more than a filthy biker, who had no feelings, and he’d soon get over it by fuckin.g around with any slut that he comes into contact with if he isn’t already.

I then tried to tell Draven that I didn’t want this; I didn’t want to marry a man I didn’t know. I tried to tell him I wanted to be with Jett, my baby’s father, the man I think I’m falling for.

How the hell can you fall for a man you don’t really know?

I have no idea, and it’s not like I can tell my heart to stop falling for him.

However, Draven was firm in how he told me, “Get the fuc.k over it, Maria!”

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over this. Of all the evil things my brother has ever done in his life, I never expected him to treat me like this. He’s never done anything to hurt me before this. He’s always been there for me, always loved me.

I don’t doubt that Draven loves me, and I know deep down he thinks he’s doing what's right for me. But this isn’t what’s right, and I don’t know how to show him that.

Draven gave me an order to dress conservatively tonight. I must look respectable for my future husband. So, he chose, yes, Draven chose a light blue, tee-style silk dress with a lace finish. I don’t know what my brother thinks I am, but I am certainly not a damn doll! I’ll do what he asked me tonight, but I draw the line at being told what to wear! It won’t be happening again.

I tie my long dark hair in a high ponytail and hope my makeup is light enough to make me look slightly innocent. Fat chance of that happening, but I’ll do what I’m told because there’s no way out of this.

My stomach is turning over terribly, and I feel like I’m going to throw up. I’m more than just nervous; I’m terrified. Whomever this guy is, he won’t make a scene in front of my brother; he’s going to suck up to him and make him think the best of him. He’ll smile at me and tell me how beautiful I am, as all men do when they want my brother to like them.

But what if he turns out to be a monster?

What if, after the sham wedding, he turns on me?

On my baby?

There’s no point thinking about it. Once he’s my husband, there will be nothing I can do about it. I am Italian, and my family is very old-school and traditional. Once I’m married, I will have to stay married, even to a monster. Because much like the life my brother leads, once you’re in, there’s no way out.

“They’re ready for you.”

Jesus, hasn’t he heard of knocking?

I could’ve been doing anything in here. I could have been naked!

This house is fitted with every kind of surveillance, alarm, and digital locking system you can think of. But I know there are no cameras in my room; my brother would never allow anyone to see me in my bedroom; it’s private. At least I have that to thank him for. That’s why I always hide in here; no one can see me while I’m here. However, that means there’s no system in place in my room where I can see who’s outside my door, either.

Still, he could have knocked!

I follow Tony out of my room and down the large staircase. My heart is pounding hard and loud in both my chest and ears. I smooth down my dress, my hands sliding over my slightly swollen stomach, and I take a deep breath. I don’t look pregnant yet, which is strange to me. I’m nineteen weeks, and I’m not showing the way I thought I would, the way Avery did when she was pregnant.

“It’ll be all right, Maria.”

“How can you say that, Tony? Draven is forcing me to marry a man I don’t even know just to save face. He got past it with Avery; why am I so different?”

“Because you’re his sister, not his cousin. You must do what’s right for the family, Maria, no matter what it takes.”

“What about what’s right for my baby?”

“I know this is hurting you, but that’s not Draven’s intention.”

“Why couldn’t he have just given me to you? I could have handled this a little better if he had.”

Not that I want to marry Tony, but I know him, he loves me, he’d take care of me. He’d even allow Jett to have contact with the baby because Tony is a nice guy like that, and there would have been nothing Draven could have done about it. It would be down to my husband what he allowed me to do.

However, Draven didn’t choose Tony; he decided a damn stranger would do. A man I know nothing about!

“It doesn’t work that way, beautiful.”

“I know.” I sigh because I do know that. It’s all just so damn unfair. “Is he really going to make me do this?” I don’t want to cry, so I push the tears back.

Tony nods his head sympathetically. He opens the dining room door and motions for me to step through. I do, even though all I want to do is turn and run and keep on running. Running all the way to Jett and having him take me away from this place.

Not that we’d get far before Draven caught us, but it doesn’t stop me wishing.

“There she is.”

The big smile on my brother’s face makes me want to slap him. If I had the energy right now, I would, and I’d find so much satisfaction in it.

Draven hugs me, but I make no effort to hug him in return. He kisses my forehead and steps back, acting as if he didn’t notice how rigid I was.

“Maria, I’d like you to meet Jovanni. Jovanni, Maria.”

Jovanni?

My brother cannot be serious!

Jovanni Addario?

“We’ve met,” I say nonchalantly.

Of all the jerks in the world, my brother could have chosen to be my husband; he picks this asshole.

Jovanni Addario works for my brother, but we don’t see each other at all if I can help it. The only time we spoke, he was vile to me. He hit on me, and I told him to drop dead. He then told me I was nothing but a cheap whor.e who would one day get what was coming to her. Now, take in mind that I was fifteen at the time; he was nineteen.

I said nothing in response; I just walked away from him. I didn’t tell my brother what he’d said to me. I didn’t even tell him that we'd spoken. I should have; I wouldn’t be in this situation with him if I had, probably because Jovanni would be dead. Men have died for less, believe me.

It might sound strange that my brother thought we were strangers, but many men work for my brother whom I haven’t met before. They know me, but I don’t know them. My brother very rarely involves me in the family business.

Jovanni takes my hand in his hand, a smirk on his face, and kisses the back of my hand. I visibly cringe, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by my brother, who scrunches his brow slightly. Of course, he’s watching, observing us both to find a connection. He won’t find one. The only thing I feel for this man is disgust.

“It’s nice to see you again, Maria.”

I snatch my hand away and clasp both together. I can’t even imagine spending the rest of my life with this man. I’d rather die. I’ll give my child to its father and kill myself before I ever waste my life with this pig.

We all take a seat. Draven and Jovanni drink scotch and talk about plans for the wedding. I do the good girl thing and keep my mouth shut while they talk. It’s not like I can hear or even take in half of what they’re saying right now. Not when the only thing I can think about is Jett and how he must be feeling. It’s not like they want my input anyway.

Why would they involve me in my own wedding?

Dinner is a simple panzanella with the usual tomatoes, Tuscan bread, and black olives.

God, do they think I need to lose weight?

I’m pregnant, for God’s sake; I want greasy food, burgers and fries, pizza, and chocolate! I don't usually eat that kind of thing, but I want it right now, and I don’t eat to please anyone but myself. If I want to eat junk food, then I will.

They keep talking, and I keep my mouth shut.

That stupid asshole is so smug. He must think the Don believes him to be invaluable right now.

How many men can brag that the Don came to them personally and asked them to take on a task such as marrying his sister and taking on a child that isn’t theirs?

How much is my brother paying him for this?

And what rank will he move this idio.t up to?

Because no doubt my husband will be high-ranking within the Famiglia thanks to his commitment.

I’d rather see this pig in the sewer with the rest of the rats where he belongs.

“I’m thinking the end of the week. I mean, why wait?”

“Indeed.” My brother carefully places his wine glass next to his plate on his grand dining table made of oak.

I used to be scared to even sit at this table because of how beautiful and expensive it is. My brother does have a lovely home. He’d make someone a good husband one day. Although he says, he’ll never go there again after the last time.

Yeah, my brother was married once. Elena was nice enough, tall, with dark hair, really pretty. Their marriage didn’t last long. My uncle arranged it; he said it was needed for the family. My brother did his duty, and then when he took over the family business, he divorced her. I’ve never seen her since. I’m glad because she didn't like the fact my brother was raising me. She didn’t want to help with that. I was his number one; she learned that very quickly.

“I mean, it’s not like she can really wait much longer. I mean no disrespect, of course, Don Vidal, but she’ll be showing soon. I’m surprised she isn't already, to be honest, and we don’t want people talking out of turn.”

“Yet that’s exactly what you're doing, disrespecting both my sister and me.”

My brother is so cool and calm, yet he means business. Never underestimate my brother. He may be sitting back in his seat looking relaxed, but he’ll pop a cap in your skull quicker than you can blink. Quick fingers, fast hands, that’s my brother.

“I apologize, Don Vidal.” Jovanni bows his apology slightly.

I snigger inwardly.

Coward.

“I will be handing my sister over to a man who respects her completely, or he’ll lose his head! And I do mean literally.”

I bite my lower lip to stifle the chuckle trying to escape me. If I laugh, that will be disrespectful also, and Jovanni won’t be the only one in trouble.

“I understand, Don Vidal. Please forgive my insolence. Maria, I apologize for speaking out of turn.”

I nod without looking at him. I don’t want to look at him. I will never look at him.

I can sense his thoughts. He wants me to look at him, to look him in the eye. He wants to own me before we’re even married. He will never own me. I will never obey him. He will never have my body or mind. I am my own person, and I will remain so.

They keep talking, and my head is spinning. I wish I were brave enough to go against my brother; just tell him I’ll never marry this man. He can’t force me to say, “I do,” but he can cut me off, and that means anything could happen to my baby and me. I’ll have no protection, and people could kidnap me because of who my brother is; they’ll kill me just to get to him.

But then, I’d be with Jett, and he would protect the baby and me. He wouldn't let anything happen to us. I’d be with Sam, the brother who hates me. The brother I know would drag me back to Draven, and then they’d both force me into this marriage, or worse, an abortion and Jett would be killed to teach me a lesson. Then, I would have nothing at all.

So, do I really have any way out?

“Maria?” I look at my brother. I hadn’t realized I was staring at my food, which I’ve hardly touched. I don’t have much of an appetite lately. “Is there anything you’d like to say?”

I shake my head. There’s nothing I want to say right now. Other than, go fuc.k yourself, I’m not marrying this pig, and I don’t care what you do. However, I don’t say anything like that.

“If I’m no longer needed, could I go outside for some air? I’m feeling a little hot.”

“Are you alright?” Draven eyebrows knit together slightly.

“Fine. Just need some air.”

“Go.”

I thank him and leave the room without a word to Jovanni. I need to get out of here for a few minutes. I need to try and clear my head.