Her Mafia Daddy - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Did I dare? My feet were moving before I could stop myself. In my bones, I knew this was my best chance at escape. I slipped along the edge of the wall and very carefully pushed on the heavy metal bar that would operate the door. It cracked open silently, the cool night air washing over my bare legs. I edged into the darkness, muscles poised to flee and came to an abrupt halt.
Dimitri and another man were locked in an embrace on the fire escape, kissing each other like the world was about to end. Both of their dicks were out and rubbing together, their hips grinding and churning.
Holy...shit. Dimitri Liked Men.
I tried to step back inside without making a noise, but I must have failed because the couple looked over. Horror flashed on Dimitri 's face.
"Minchia!" he hissed and lunged to yank up his pants, but I was already hurrying through the door and back into the club.
"I'm sorry!" I blurted before the door shut behind me. Was Dimitri going to be mad at me for interrupting? I raced through the VIP area, trying to put distance between me and a potentially angry mobster. It was none of my business if Dimitri liked men or women, or both. I honestly didn't care.
Did his father know? Likely not. While the LGBTQ+ community had made strides in recent years, the mafia was not exactly woke. They were still very old school, and gay members were quietly murdered so as to not embarrass their family.
We'd heard whispers in Toronto about various soldiers killed because of their sexual preference for men. Would Dimitri kill me now that I had learned his secret?
I swallowed hard and went down the stairs, fear giving me speed. I didn't think Dimitri would hurt me, not after he'd saved me in the dungeon but what did I know? These men were strangers and cold-blooded killers.
He could cause me to disappear and never leave a trace. At the bottom of the stairs, a hand grabbed my arm from behind, pulling me to a halt. "Tina , wait."
I turned and saw the utter devastation on his face, what appeared to be fear and shame. I held up my hands. "It's none of my business. Seriously, Dimitri ."
He glanced around us, clearly worried we might be overheard. "Not here. We'll talk back at the castello. Let's go."
There was no chance to plead my case or ask what he intended as he tugged me along behind him. We found Marco and the car not far from the entrance. Dimitri held the door for me and I slid onto the smooth leather seat. Marco said nothing as we drove to the castle, and Dimitri was silent, as well. I clenched my knees together and tried not to panic.
He can't kill me without explaining this to his father. Then again, Dimitri could lie and invent a transgression that would necessitate getting rid of me. It wasn't as if his father actually liked me.
Oh, God. By the time we arrived, I was in a full panic. As soon as the car stopped, I tore out of the car, ready to put distance between the Ravazzani heir and myself. Unfortunately, Dimitri came around too quickly and caught my hand before I could get away. He didn't speak as we walked. We continued to his bedroom, and horrible thoughts ran on a loop in my brain. What was he planning?
"Dimitri ," I started, but he cut me off with a swipe of his free hand. We ended up in his bathroom. Dropping my hand, he shut the door and flicked on the overhead fan. Were we being listened to? Or was this to cover my screams?
He must have noticed my growing hysteria because he held up his palms. "I'm not going to hurt you. The castello has many eyes and ears, and I'd rather not be overheard."
Could I believe him? "This isn't necessary. You don't need to worry that I'll tell you."
He grimaced and dragged a hand through his hair. "Tina , if anyone found out…if my father found out, I would be dead. This is worse than a
secret. This is my life we are talking about."
"I know. Which is why I'll never breathe a word of this, no matter what. You saved me from that dark cell when you didn't need to. I owe you."
He stared at his toes. "This hardly compares."
"Dimitri , I understand and I am not judging you. Also, I genuinely like you. During this nightmare, you've been my only ally. So please, don't
I think this matters. If you like men, who cares?"
"Everyone cares, Tina . Literally everyone I work with and live with would care. The last gay member of the 'ndrina had his dick cut off and shoved in his mouth before they dumped him in the ocean. Alive."
Holy shit. "I don't want that to happen to you."
"Enough to lie about it? Enough to marry me, knowing I'll be sleeping with men behind your back? Eventually you'll grow resentful and want to punish me."
"I won't," I promised. "But Dimitri , I don't want this. I don't want to marry you and live here as a mafia wife. I'll never stop looking for a way to escape."