Betrothed To The Broken Mafia King

Chapter Eleven

Kane's POV

Kane didn't find it difficult to pay attention, so the fact that his brain was trying to create a problem rather than pay attention to the one they had presently should have been concerning. That didn't mean he was though.

His brain was doing a good job circling round and round. He was on edge. Had been since Victor had announced this plan.

He heard his name and forced himself back to the conversation. He had expected something more difficult; threats or something more dangerous, but they were only posturing. He hadn't known they were both interested in the union but he couldn't deny what he was seeing. If he were more suspicious, he'd assume that the edgy smiles were facades.

A glance at Logan showed him that he was only guessing. He had to believe that they wanted the union, but the signs of friendliness he was seeing were likely just his overactive imagination. His lonely and painful time in the basement had grown them after all.

"Are we agreed on the terms?" Roberto asked snidely, his gaze fixed on Kane's face that he forced himself to smirk.

Any other action would have proven that his attention really was elsewhere.

The smirk did its job as a murderous glint entered the older man's eyes.

"Anything happens outside our agreement and blood will flow," Roberto promised.

He expected Victor or even Logan to say something, but they both stared at him.

He sighed and bowed a little mockingly. Not too obvious though. "Of course Capo."

Victor glared at him but before he could read too much into it, a scream echoed.

He stood up and instinctively palmed his gun and the others did the same. They all stared at each other, tension going from zero to a thousand. If Roberto was f*****g with them...

Another scream sounded and something that sounded like a crash. That got them into motion. He opened the door and this time the scream was in his face as he almost slammed the door at the running crowd.

He exchanged a glance with Logan and wasn't remotely surprised to meet the enforcer's eye. Their training and former bond had been too strong. It hurt more than he could say.

They shoved the crowd aside and reached the source of the noise. The party. He could hear wails coming from the room and he narrowed his eyes at Roberto. The man looked surprised and curious too, though that could be faked.

He looked at Logan again and nodded, then he took a short breath in and slammed the door open. His gaze caught several things at once.

The once full room was almost empty, his bride was stretched out on the floor while her Mother screamed and wailed.

"Would you stop that shrieking?" Someone shouted and finally, there was silence.

He turned his gaze to the window. It didn't look like an attack had happened, but who knew? The only sign that something was off was the woman on the floor.

He walked carefully but swiftly to her side, noting that the others were staring.

"What's wrong with her?" He asked as he took her wrist.

He didn't know what he was expecting, but her hands were dainty and small. He could feel her pulse but it was weak.

"I asked what the f**k happened here." He shouted and the woman skidded to his side.

"I have no idea," she sobbed. "She's normally this clumsy, oh, we apologize for giving you a clumsy bride but how were we to know that she would..."

He glared at her and she coughed.

"We were sitting together when she poured the drinks out. On the table for that matter, oh the p..."

This time, he didn't have to glare at her because her husband was standing in front of her.

"I think she's in shock."

The man intoned as he stared at his daughter.

Kane closed his eyes and counted to three. He looked again at the woman on the floor.

"She's not faking, is she?" He heard Logan ask and sneered.

He then thought about it. Was she faking? Was this the start of something he was going to regret? He already knew she was a good liar, but how good.

He placed a finger under her nose, but her breaths were too steady. Or maybe she had one of those disorders where she just fell asleep. That would explain the lack of concern in her parents. That was more likely because this was the mafia.

You didn't get far in the mafia by having feelings, even for your family, especially for your family.

"I don't think..." He started, but he was shoved aside.

"Anna, Anna," her sister called, shaking the unmoving woman.

She looked up. "Father, I think we should call an ambulance."

He sucked in a quick breath. "Why?"

"I think she was poisoned." Even though the words were whispered, he felt them chill him to the core.

"Poisoned?" Finally, her father moved closer. "Why would you think so?"

"I don't think so, Father. I know so. Mother said she was drinking something before she slumped. Maybe..."

She didn't need to continue the sentence.

"Call the doctor."

"Father."

" Not a word, young lady. Matteo, start the search. Nobody moves in or out until we can confirm anything."

He stared at Anna. Her face was pale now that he was paying more attention.

Poisoned. What did that mean?

The major reason why he'd been accused in Tina's case was that a few minutes before the information had gotten out, the guard in charge had been poisoned, and the evidence had pointed to him.

The man had eventually died, but from what he had overheard, everyone had assumed it wasn't serious at all. One of his jailers had spat the words "just a sleeping pill" at him.

Was that the same thing that was happening? He had noticed something earlier. Should he have read more into it?

"Victor," Roberto growled, but he couldn't bring himself to look up to see his Capo's reaction. He didn't need to.

"This isn't us." The force in his voice alone was enough to make you believe him.

"If you..."

"If we wanted to cause problems, do you think we'll do it with the use of poison?"

He looked up to find both of them, heated stares at each other. He felt like he'd catch fire if he tried to come between their gaze.

"Fine," Roberto said at last. "But if we find out that one of you had something to do with this..."

Victor's laugh was low and throaty, very dangerous. "I hope you'd grant me the pleasure of dealing with such a person first. It's been a while since I've detached a pair of balls.

Roberto looked at him again with a frown before he turned his face to his son. "Matteo, I thought I gave you an order."

"My men are on it." The younger man said dismissively. "I don't trust them, Father. I don't think..."

"I've made my decision. Deal with it. The outfit isn't under suspicion without a reason."

Victor made a snicker in his throat as he bowed mockingly at Matteo, but the man was looking at him. Glaring even.

"Matteo!"

Without sparing a second look at anyone, he whirled on his heels and turned towards the door, his father's stare following him.

Shit, Kane thought as he stared at the woman they'd all managed to ignore, but she was still breathing.

Still breathing. He didn't want to think about any other conclusion.