Married to the Mob: Fighting for Freedom Update

MOTM:FFF Chapter 16 on FicPad

MOTM:FFF Chapter 16 on FFn

MOTM:FFF Chapter 16 on AO3

MOTM:FFF Chapter 16 on Stars

MOTM:FFF Chapter 16 on Wattpad

Sitting in the kitchen at Jimmy’s home, I was flipping through a bridal magazine to find a matron of honor dress for Sue’s wedding to my uncle. It was early May and the wedding plans were nearly completed, save for my dress choice and choosing a wedding cake. Lauren was going to design a dress for Sue and was nearly done with it. I had no idea what it looked like, so I was going in blind in choosing my dress. The only thing I knew was that the wedding was going to be casual.

Leah was on the floor playing with Charlie, who was squirming and trying to explore the new space. Sue was sitting on the overstuffed couch, watching over my son and her daughter.

Seth was standing behind his fiancée in the kitchen, trying to pick out wedding invitations. Uncle Jimmy was experimenting. He was trying to figure out how to incorporate some new ingredients into his menu at The Blue Swan.

“Bells, try this,” Uncle Jimmy said, putting something onto a plate. “What does it need?”

I took the proffered plate, cutting into the meat. I moaned when I tasted the meat. “Oh my God. This just melts in your mouth, Uncle Jimmy. What is this?”

“Beef spareribs,” he answered. “How’s the sauce? Too spicy? Not spicy enough? Be brutally honest, Bells.”

“What are you planning on serving this on?” I countered. “Mashed potatoes?”

“I’m thinking some homemade mac and cheese,” he replied.

“Then, the sauce is too sweet,” I said, focusing my attention to the sauce. “You need more heat and the sauce needs to be more savory, less like a barbeque.”

Uncle Jimmy nodded and pulled out another pan. He began throwing ingredients into it, muttering to himself. I snickered, enjoying the remaining meat on the plate.

I’d been staying with my uncle since Edward was out of town and had been for the past week. I was fine with staying at the house on my own, but Edward wanted me to either stay with his parents or with my uncle because Jake, Felix, Liam and the rest of the guys needed to go with him. Seth was staying back since he and Claire had several appointments they couldn’t miss.

Alice was staying with Peter and Charlotte in Carlisle and Esme’s home. Carlisle was with Edward, doing whatever Mobwardy thing they needed to accomplish. It was a big deal. Most of the family was needed and they flew to Italy. My husband checked with me when he woke up and before he went to  sleep every day, but I missed him. I slept like shit without my husband. Charlie was persnickety, anxious to see his ‘dada’. Though, his vocabulary had expanded in the past few months.

Dada, momma, no, ball, yuck and yay are his favorite words.

He also picked up his father’s potty mouth.

Charlie was sitting in his highchair, enjoying some apples with Nonna Esme and he blurted out ‘fuck’, giggling happily. I blushed furiously, gaping at my child. Esme stared at him in shock, but gave me an understanding smile. I’d been pretty good at curtailing my cursing, but it appeared that Edward had not. With Edward as Charlie’s father, it was a foregone conclusion that inappropriate language would be a possibility. Also, trying to reason with a baby was insane. It’s like arguing quantum physics with him.

No, Charlie, you can’t use the word ‘fuck.’ It’s not good for babies to use.

Mommy and Daddy did a lot of fucking to create you …

What?

Uncle Jimmy and Sue's home

Half Bath

Dining Room

Guest Bath

Family Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Leah's Bedroom

Uncle Jimmy and Sue's Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

Options for Seth and Claire's wedding invitations

Rundown apartments

Dr. Manny Moretti

Felipe Sanchez

Esteban Sanchez (love him as an actor!)

Roberto Sanchez (do you remember him from Graceland? LOVED that show)

Married to the Mob Teaser

The room was dark, save for a fire lit in the fireplace and a dim light over an overstuffed chair. Bella was curled up, writing in her journal. It was Halloween, two and half months since my abduction and what should have been our wedding. Almost everyone, except for Bella and me, were at my parents’ home for a Halloween party. Bella didn’t feel like going and honestly, neither did I. I wanted to use this time to talk to Bella, to help her confront her demons. I pushed up my glasses, making my way into the living room. Bella stared into the fire, her brow furrowed, the pen tapping gently on her lips.

“Penny for your thoughts, dolce?” I asked, walking toward her. She jumped, looking back at me with a slight scowl. She resented her nickname, not at all feeling like the sweet girl I’d met over a year ago. “I see you writing, love.”

“Don’t call me dolce,” she said, closing her journal and her voice taking on a cold edge.

“Why not?” I asked. “You are mia dolce.” She sighed, leaning her head against the chair and curling into a tighter ball. “Bella, come with me.”

“I’m comfortable here. I just want to be alone,” she answered.

“Too bad, so sad,” I said, taking her hand and pulling her up. I took her spot on the chair, curling her on my lap. “Every day, dolce, I see you. I hate that you’re sad, empty. That’s my fault.” It will always be my fault.

“No, Edward, it’s not,” she answered, looking at me, but her eyes were dead. “It’s Royce and Stephan’s fault. Not yours. Never yours, baby.” She wrinkled her nose. “I just hate feeling like this. You’re alive. You’re healing, but I can’t shake …” Her eyes were welling with tears. “Why can’t I stop seeing Royce? What I did to him?” She shuddered and tears spilled onto her pale cheeks.

“Would you change the outcome? Would you not kill him and have this war between the Bratva and the Consortium continue? My death?” I asked. She blushed, shaking her head and she let out a strangled sound. I held her closely, kissing her neck and inhaling deeply, allowing her scent to calm me. “Bella, you are still sweet, good, and perfect.”

“I’m not,” she scoffed, hastily wiping her cheeks.

“You are,” I said, taking her chin and forcing her eyes to mine. “Bella, you are strong, beautiful and it was that strength that saved me. I would have died out there, without you.” I kissed her and stood up. “Come with me, love.”

“Where are we going?” she asked, confused.

“You’ll see,” I said, taking out a set of car keys. I threaded my fingers with hers, putting on a coat and we went out to my car, my Volvo. I helped her into the passenger seat, walking to the driver’s side. Backing out of the garage, I made my way to the city, driving to what was once the center of the Bratva in Chicago. It was once a shining jewel, filled with powerful men, enslaved women and a deadly fighting ring. Now? It was a crumbling building, abandoned by the cowards left behind after word of Royce’s death had reached the building.

“Why are we here?” she asked. “Wasn’t this Royce’s stronghold?”

“Yes, and we’re here because I want you to see what you helped do,” I said, taking out a gun from the glove compartment. Bella stiffened. “The Bratva have been demolished with no discernable leader, but there’s still a threat. This is not a safe neighborhood.” Her eyes were still on the gun, the gun that she’d given me for my birthday. I slid the gun into a holster on my belt and got out of the car. Opening the passenger side door, I held out my hand. Bella took it, her eyes wide. I threaded my fingers with hers and made my way toward the building.