The Mafia's Good Girl
The Mafia’s Good Girl – Chapter 85

~ Violet ~

When Violet opened her eyes next, all she could see were blurry images and colors. Her head was spinning and her body was too weak to move.

“…I don’t know what happened, she just blacked out!”

Although she couldn’t make out what she was seeing, she could hear people talking. That was Celina’s voice.

“Where the hell is the fúcking doctor?!”

That was Damon’s voice, unmistakably. He sounded wildly irritated and angry. Violet wanted to keep her eyes open, but they were too heavy. Her eyes fluttered shut and then there was darkness again.

“Sweet girl… wake up…”

Violet didn’t know how long she was out for, but when she opened her eyes next, she saw that she was in her room and the window outside was dark. Slowly, her vision was getting clearer and her head felt a little lighter.

“Hey,” Damon’s soft voice was heard and he appeared in her periphery. He had been staying up all night, waiting by her bedside. “You’re up,”

“Damon…” she croaked. Her voice was little and weak. “What happened?”

“You passed out. Dr. Lee says you’ve been too exhausted. Or maybe too stressed out because of the wedding,”

Violet was struggling to lift her head up and Damon quickly gave her some support. He adjusted her pillows and pulled up her blanket. He was so doting of her, and the creases on his forehead showed how worried he was.

“How long was I out for?” she asked.

“About half a day. But that’s okay. You need to rest anyway,”

Half a day?!

“Oh, no! I’m supposed to supervise the decorators—“

“No, stop,” Damon held her in place, not allowing her to move an inch. “I told you, you don’t have to do everything on your own. Let Elena or someone else take over,”

“But it’s fine, I want to do those things,” she g*****d. She wanted everything to be perfect, so she had to be there to make sure.

“Not at the expense of your health,” Damon shook his head firmly.

Violet was pouting in protest, but Damon wouldn’t budge. His eyes were dead serious and his gaze was sharp. Violet noted how messy his hair was and how there were bags under his eyes. He probably didn’t even shower. He never left her side for twelve hours.

“Were you that worried about me?” she asked cautiously.

“Is that even a question?” he asked back.

Violet felt it deep in her heart. Despite anything she heard, the video she saw, or the insecurities screaming in her head, she knew that he cares so much for her. It was so obvious, even a blind person could feel it too.

A small smile curved up her lips as she took his hand in hers. In an attempt to calm him down, she said, “Hey, I feel a lot better now, I’ll be fine—“

“No,” he insisted, shaking his head from side to side. “You can’t go anywhere,”

“Why?”

“You’re on mandatory bed rest,”

“Did Dr. Lee say that?”

“No, but I did,”

“Damon—“

“I’m not arguing with you, Violet,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“But what about the centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner—“

“Screw the damn centerpieces!” he cut her off, sounding rather irritated. And before she could protest some more, he went to the bedside drawer and pulled out the leather cuffs. Within seconds, Violet’s hand was cuffed to the bedpost, rendering her immobile.

“Seriously, Damon?” she gaped at him. “You’re being so ridiculous right now!”

“I don’t care,” he said as he grabbed another pair of leather cuffs. Sitting right next to her, he cuffed his own hand with Violet’s free hand. “You’re staying here. And I’m staying here too,”

“But—“

“Sleep,” he ordered, pulling her head down to his shoulder. “You need to rest,”

“Dam—“

“Stop fighting me,” he cut her off again, and this time, she didn’t fight back.

Violet glanced at the cuffs holding her hand and Damon’s hand together. He was so worried for her, he cuffed both their hands together just so she would never leave his side. Violet’s heart was oozing with warmth and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Hey, Damon,”

“Hmm?”

“The wedding is in two days,” she said. “Are you sure you want to marry me?”

Damon turned his head sharply at her and narrowed his eyes.

“What kind of question is that?” he asked back.

“It’s just… I just wanna make sure… you wanna marry me… for me… you know?” she stammered, struggling to find the right words to say. “…And not for any other reason,”

Damon was staring at her with a look she couldn’t decipher. She couldn’t tell if he was mad or offended by the question, or maybe both.

“I think you hit your head when you fell because you’re talking nonsense right now,” he said after a while of silence.

Violet opened her mouth like she was about to speak, but Damon put his index finger to her lips, shutting her up.

“I don’t know what kind of thoughts are running through your head or why you keep asking me these stupid questions, but I don’t care. I don’t wanna hear any more of it,” he said.

Damon’s hand moved to cup her face and his gaze pierced into her soul. Violet was enthralled by the sight of him, she couldn’t even speak.

“I know you’ve had to deal with a lot and I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but we’re getting married in two days,” he said with a smile. “Just 48 hours to go. So, please, bear with me,”

“…48 hours to go…” Violet found herself repeating his words.

“Yes, baby. Just 48 hours and then it’s us, happily ever after,”

Happily ever after…

Those words were sweet like honey. That sounded like a dream. That sounded like perfection. Violet’s lips curved up a smile and so did he. They were staring into each other’s eyes and smiling from ear to ear.

This feeling is real and it’s strong. It’s impossible to deny it.

Violet’s heart was racing in her chest, ready to burst at any moment. His hand was now stroking her cheek and she felt the warmth and the sparks coursing through her veins. Feeling the need to be closer to him, she snuggled her head deeper into his chest and inhaled his wonderful scent. Damon continued stroking her cheek and she closed her eyes, letting the wondrous comfort took her to sleep.

If this ain’t love… then I don’t know what is.

Violet only closed her eyes for a second and she immediately fell back to sleep. Her body was too tired and Damon’s presence next to her was like a lullaby. She felt safe inside his arms and all the dark thoughts clouding over her dissipated away.

Damon’s presence was strong and comforting. With him by her side, the doubts were fading away. She believed there must be a reason why he said those things to Adrian. She believed all the things he told her to be true. He asked her to trust him and so she will.

“You’re more important than the business,” he once told her. “You’re more important than anything,”

Violet’s mind was calm again. She knew that in due time, Damon would explain everything to her. But even if he didn’t, she didn’t care. She knew that their love was real and it was enough to answer for everything else.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning, Violet woke up with a smile plastered on her face. She had the most wonderful sleep, and today was the day before the wedding. They had a rehearsal dinner planned for tonight and tomorrow their happily ever after would begin.

“…Damon…?”

Violet opened her eyes to see that she was alone on the bed. One of her hands was still cuffed to the bedpost and the other was freed. Damon must’ve taken off the cuff somehow.

Looking to her side, Violet saw a key left on the bedside table. She took the key with her free hand and opened the cuff that was locked on her other hand. Once she was freed, she rolled off the bed and pulled a robe from a nearby chair. Instead of going into the bathroom, Violet decided to walk outside and find Damon. She was so excited about tonight and tomorrow, she just had to give him a good morning k**s.

Violet was on her way to the staircase when she passed by Damon’s study. She didn’t think anyone would be in there, so she was shocked when she heard voices from the inside.

“…Just one more day and the world will be ours,”

That was Hugo’s voice, unmistakably. Violet stopped her tracks and came closer to the door. Slowly and carefully, she pushed the door back slightly and pressed her ear to the wooden frame.

“You know, when I first heard that you’re getting married, I thought this would mean the end for us. Your priorities will change and so will our partnership,” Hugo continued. “But I must admit, I was wrong,”

Violet took a glance inside and she saw that Hugo was sitting in Damon’s usual chair. Sitting on the opposite side of him was Damon. The two men also had glasses of whiskey in their hands.

“It’s very clever of you to use this wedding as a guise. You invited all of the biggest families in the world and they won’t know what’s coming to hit ‘em,” Hugo let out a maniacal laugh and sipped his drink. “Just when I thought you were gonna let this all go for a girl,”

Damon let out a laugh this time. A mocking laugh.

“This life is all I’ve ever known. I don’t know who I’ll be without it. There’s no way I’m letting this go,” Damon said to him. Then he took Hugo’s hand and kissed his ring, muttering, “Godfather,”

Violet’s eyes jolted wide in an instant. Damon never said anything about Hugo being his godfather, and in this line of business, that was a very serious thing to say. Violet was so shocked, she even let out a gasp when she heard the word. Luckily, her voice wasn’t heard because Hugo was raising his glass and calling for a toast.

“Â saluti!”

“Saluti,”