The Bet (18+)

2. The arrow

Sofia Zanetti - POV

"Papa wants you in his office, Sof" I felt as Sebastian tensed besides me. I frowned and stood up. Shivers ran down my spine. The room suddenly felt cold, like a window had been open.

"I'm sorry Sofia, I tried to stop it but he wasn't having it" Sebastian said in a quiet tone as I got up. My heart suddenly began to pace inside my chest. What did he mean by that?

I walked behind Santino and entered into my fathers study. The smell of cigars surrounded me. It was the same office my grandfather once sat in. No changes were made other than the extra security which was installed into every room of the house.

"Sit" my father said gesturing towards the leather chair in front of him. I watched as Santino stood by the door, his gaze hard. He was definitely angry about something.

"What's going on?" I sat down, brushing down my clothes. I stared at my father, he looked younger than his age. He didn't look like he was soon hitting his sixties.

"The past three months, the family has been put in high risk Sofia. With the Russians on a rise, I refuse to see my family in danger and I can't risk seeing any of you hurt." I watched as he took a sip of his whiskey. His voice was stern and cold, it made the hairs on my body raise in fear.

The man in front of me done everything for his family. He was well respected by his men and others respected him. He never involved me in business but that didn't stop me from finding out through my brothers.

So why was he telling me this.

"This family is everything to me and you know that Sofia. But to protect it we have joined an alliance with the Russo family. Luciano Russo"

I froze, processing his words. The Russo's? They were one of the other Mafiosa's here in New York City.

It suddenly hit me.

This was why I was told to come back. Not for my protection but because I was the one needed for this alliance to work. I was the bait for this transaction to work.

"No" I whispered under my breath, shaking my head. He was going to marry me off. The pit in my stomach tightened, I felt like I was about to vomit.

"We have agreed on terms that you will marry his only son, Lorenzo Russo. Heir and Next Don to the Russo Mafiosa" And just like that I felt my life crash down besides me. The walls of the office suffocated me. I gripped the arm of the chair, my nails digging into the leather.

Lorenzo Russo...or Enzo, as I'm sure that's what everyone called him.

The Arrow.

"No you can't do this papa" I clenched my jaw, trying my best not to cry or start objecting. I knew I couldn't, he would just get angry at me. "You can't" my voice came out timid, in a whisper.

"It's been done, he will be coming over tomorrow and you two will meet. I expect you to behave well as you always do, your mama has everything ready for you"

Tomorrow.

It felt like a slap to my face. I got my anger from my father no doubt, I was good at keeping it controlled but right now I was unable to do that.

"I'm not marrying him. You can't force me into marrying a man I don't even know!" My voice raised as I stood up, towering up as I looked down at where my father sat. But he remained calm as possible. If I was my brothers, he would have definitely got angry.

"What do you want then Sofia? You just turned 21, you know how marriage works in the mafiosa, you don't choose who you get married to. Me and your mama done it, Santino done it. Did you think I would let you go fall in love with any American man on the streets?!" Anger boiled up on me as my father spoke.

As much as he was right I wanted to scream. Scream at myself for not realising sooner. I should've sensed it before I stepped on that plane.

I was just a transaction for them. I pushed back the chair, storming out. My eyes locked with Santino, who remained still, avoiding my tear glassed eyes.

I slammed the door behind him, the heavy walls shook. I stormed down the endless halls. The door reopened and I could hear my brothers voice behind me, coming closer.

"Sofia wait" his hand reaching my shoulder, I shoved it away, as I walked off.

"I don't want to talk to you!" I shouted back, my voice echoing throughout the hallway. I made my way up the rounded staircase to the first floor, to where my bedroom was.

I made sure to lock the door, before I threw myself onto my cold bed which hadn't been sat on in 6 months.

I can't believe this. My head filled with thoughts. Unable to process what my father had just announced.

They all knew but no one had told me. That's why they all had been walking around eggshells with me today. Why they barely called me the past few months.

The name dawned my thoughts.

Lorenzo Russo.

The Russo'. I had heard of the family many times in my life, they were cold and powerful. Holding pretty much the same status as my family. Both criminal organisations, above the law.

Enzo Russo wasn't a name that I was unfamiliar with. I had heard stories about him, not good ones obviously. He was called The Arrow. I don't know the reasoning behind the name or any rumours on how he got the name. But I knew he was ruthless and merciless. One of the best assassins, as I had heard Sebastian say once. And that said a lot coming from him.

That's all I knew about him and it didn't make me feel any better.

And tomorrow I was to go meet my new husband who I didn't know a single true fact about. How old was he even? I tried my best to get rid of the thought of myself getting marrying an older man. God. I grimaced at the itching thought.

My father wouldn't do that right?

I laughed hysterically, as a crazy person would.

Why did I think that I could magically ignore getting married and live my life however I dreamed of.

You're the daughter of Marco Zanetti, there was no freedom for you from the day you were born.

i argued back and fourth with my inner voice.

I found myself drifting into a deep slumber after hours of tossing and turning in bed.

A/N  🖤

I decided to split the first chapter as it just seemed too long and I think I like it better like this

Please like and comment, I would love to hear your guys opinion 😭