Captivated by the deadly mafia boss

Kasia

It’s four in the morning when I arrive home. My feet throb from the insanely tight shoes I stuffed them into for the night. I’m going to have blisters for days. My eyelids are heavy, and all I want is my bed. I haven’t stayed out this late in too long of a time. I may sleep the rest of the weekend away.

My father’s driver pulls up to the front steps of the house, parking behind a black SUV. I don’t recognize the car, but I’m too tired to really care.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

A girl from school threw a graduation bash in the city at a dance club. It wasn’t my scene. I don’t go out often, rarely actually. Making friends isn’t worth the hassle anymore. But her father knows mine, so it was more of a demand that I go instead of a suggestion for some fun.

Four years of college, and I’m still being bossed around by daddy. It’s pathetic.

I carry my shoes with me up the steps to the house. The porch light’s on and two of my father’s men are standing at the door, waiting.

“Evening boys,” I wink at them as I pass them into the house. They don’t smile. To show me any kindness would probably earn them a beatdown.

I can’t blame them.

“Kasia.” Mr. Marcowski steps out of my father’s office further down the hallway. He doesn’t move toward me, but rather beckons me toward him. “Your father would like you in his office.”

“What’s going on?” I ask. I just want to go to bed.

“Your father wants you,” he repeats himself.

I’ve been out all night, doing what my father told me to do. How much trouble could I have caused him while doing exactly what he wanted from me?

“Is someone here?” I ask, noting two more men standing outside my father’s office. They aren’t his men. These two are younger, more severe looking. No, they’re obviously not in their own territory.

My heart is already beating too fast in my chest. I steel my features. It’s not much, but it’s all I have. I take a cleansing breath and wipe my palms on my hips before walking into the office.

Whatever his problem is, I’ll deal with like I always do. And then I’ll move on.

Once inside the brightly lit study, I stop. Marcowski enters behind me and closes the door. The loud thud of it shakes my insides.

My father sits behind his massive desk, drumming his fingers on the arms of his chair. He hates waiting, and apparently, I’m late for a meeting I didn’t know about.

Off to the right of my father stands a man. A familiar man.

Dominik Staszek.

My heart trips over itself when I recognize him. He’s aged, but haven’t we all. The years have made him fiercer, at least in appearance. Where he seemed serious before, he looks downright dangerous now.

His hands are stuffed into the pockets of his trousers. His hair is slicked back from his face. He scans my appearance, as though taking stock of me. How much have I changed in the six years we haven’t seen each other? The years that I’ve almost forgotten about him.

There’s no point for him anymore.

Not since the accident.

My throat dries as the tension in the room builds.

“Kasia.” My father finally breaks the silence. “I thought you’d be home earlier.” Anyone who doesn’t know Marcin Garska would think he sounds casual, but I know my father. He’s annoyed.

“I was downtown at the graduation party, like you… suggested. I didn’t realize you needed me home at a specific time.” My eyes wander from my father to the serious man still glaring at me. I avoid his pale eyes and try to assess him in the same manner he did me. He’s wearing a dark gray suit with a black button-down shirt. No tie and the top button is undone. Every bit of his clothing fits him like it was made specifically for him.

“You remember Dominik Staszek.” My father points to him but doesn’t stand up. And Dominik makes no move toward me. No extended hand or a smile. Just a simple nod of acknowledgement.

I was never formally introduced to Dominik. Other than the meeting where I posed as my sister, I have never spoken to him. A sadness showers me with the memory.

I swallow hard. Something’s out of sorts here. Diana isn’t here. She was killed along with our mother in a horrible crash long before she was forced to join hands with him. Dominik shouldn’t be here. He doesn’t need to be here.

“Yes, I remember,” I say, rolling my shoulders back and standing as tall as my spine will allow. Look determined, confident, no matter how much your insides are crumbling.

“Let’s get to the matter at hand,” my father announces. “The arrangement made with Joseph Staszek and his son Dominik stands.”

“What? Why?” I ask, focusing my attention on my father. I can feel Dominik’s stare on me, spreading warmth over my skin.

“It’s what was decided,” my father says.

“But… how? I mean, the arrangement was for-” I hesitate at her name. “Diana isn’t here to keep to the arrangement.” I tense my body, willing myself not to show how much her name still affects me.

“I’m well aware of that,” my father snaps at me, and a heavy wave of guilt rushes over me. “But an agreement was made. You’ll honor it.” My father looks right into my eyes, not an ounce of empathy crossing over his features.

“It’s been years, four years past the agreement,” I say quickly. Surely that has to mean something. He broke the deal by not coming four years ago.

“You’ll have to forgive me for not coming sooner.” Dominik finally speaks, his voice low, controlled.

I glance at him, then refocus on my dad. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll go away.

“This isn’t making any sense. You told me if I stayed, if I went to college and did exactly as you instructed, I would be able to choose for myself. I’ve graduated. I’m free. You said I could move-”

“Enough!” My father’s eyes widen with his outburst. His lips curl inward, and I can make out the vein in his neck throbbing. This conversation isn’t appropriate in front of Dominik, but he’s brought this on himself. He should have told me sooner. He should have given me a chance to talk to him in private about this.

I look to Dominik. The man appears utterly bored. He could be staring at paint dry for all I can see on his expression.

“I don’t understand,” I say softer, unable to tear my gaze away from Dominik.

“What’s not to understand? You’re marrying Dominik. Simple as that.” My father taps his hands on his desk and gets to his feet. He’s made his decision.

There’s a sound behind me. I turn just as Marcowski opens the office doors. The meeting is over. I’ve been informed and now I’m to just accept it. I’m not supposed to ask questions.

But I have so many.

“Go upstairs and pack a bag. Enough for a week.” My father points at the open door. “I’ll have the rest of your things sent to you in a few days.”

This gets my attention, and I face my father. “Bag? Why?” Although the sick feeling in my stomach tells me I already know the answer.

“You’ll be staying with me until the ceremony.” Dominik answers me but doesn’t move toward me.

My head whirls. No. My entire life is spinning out of control.

“Why?”

“So many questions,” he smiles, but it’s not a kind, gentle smile. It feels like a warning. I’m asking too many questions.

“It’s for your safety, Kasia,” my father says, quieter. “Go. Pack a bag. You’ll be leaving with Dominik. He’s waited nearly all night for you. He shouldn’t need to make a second trip to pick you up.”

And that’s it.

I’ve been dismissed. Not just from the meeting, but from my home. My life.

“Do you even know this man?” I ask my father. Everything I’ve done over the past four years was to earn my freedom. I went to the school he chose, I roomed with girls he hand-picked. I did everything because after graduation, I’d be free to move out, to start a new life on my own. And he’s pulled the rug right out from beneath my feet. Not so much as a conversation, a warning. Just a simple command thrown at me like I’m nothing more than a foot soldier.

No. Less than a foot soldier.

This is my life.

My father’s eyes narrow, but I don’t care. I’ll take whatever punishment he wants to dish out; I deserve to know what’s happening to my own life.

“I know everything I need to know. Now, don’t show Mr. Staszek what a rude girl you can be, go pack your bag.” He flicks his hand toward the office doors. He’s dismissed me off hand.

Our relationship has strained over the years since the accident. It’s hard for him to look at me. I understand that, I look just like her, so much like mom, too. And my part in it, he’s never forgiven me. It has to hurt, even for a man who values his work over his family. But this is beyond what he’s done before. He’s throwing me into the arms of a stranger.

Tears threaten, but I turn away before anyone can see. I force my expression to wipe clean of the fear, the sadness.

“Kasia.” Dominik’s voice stops me at the door.

I turn slightly, waiting for him to continue.

“It was nice seeing you again.”

My jaw aches, I clench it so tightly.

I march up to my room. Anger shakes inside me, fear wraps a cold blanket around me. But I hold it in, I shove it down. Because there is no other option. This is my life; this is my duty.

Once safety inside my room, I look around. Nothing here is really mine. Everything can be taken away at a moment’s notice, most of it has been either a punishment or a test.

I grab a bag from my closet and get to work.

There are no options for me. It’s not new, but this feels different.

I’ve been released from the grasp of one monster, only to be thrown into the grips of another.