Marrying the Mafia

Till Death do You Part

Derek's POV:

        I didn't think that would work. I honestly thought she would fight till the end. Aria looks down at the ground of the court house's shiny, white tiled floors. Her leg bounces rapidly as her nails are glued between her lips. I can't reach out to her for comfort right now. I would love nothing more than to embrace her, tell her it'll all work out, but I can't. Aria sees this as forfeiting freedom. Nothing is more devastating than that. She probably hates me in this moment. Just three hours ago, sparks were inches from flying, her lips pressed against mine, filling the void my heart craves. Now we're distant. I can feel the energy and positivity draining from the atmosphere as Aria and I go to sign the documents.

~

        Aria and I sign the documents, as we say our very rapid 'I do's. We both want to get the fuck out of this court house. I can't stand here any longer and pretend I enjoy hurting this beautiful girl. I wish I could kill anyone or anything that brings her pain, but that'd mean killing myself. 

"What can I do to make you more comfortable, preziosa?" I ask Aria on the way home. She stays silent and continues looking out the window at the passing trees. The wind slowly combing the fall leaves as the sun slowly gives up its place in the sky for the moon, afternoon fading to evening. It took forever at the courthouse. 

A long stretch of silence sweeps through the car, not a sound over the quiet murmuring engine. That is until Aria looks back at me, tears streaming down her face. 

"Aria..." I sigh, looking in her direction before pulling off into a near by grocery store. I park in the quieter part of the lot as Aria breaks down in front of me, unraveling. Years of pent up anger, sadness, and pain pouring from her beautiful forest eyes. 

I reach my hand out, half expecting it to be swatted away, only for Aria to accept it and grip it for dear life as she just sobs and sobs. Her cries sound so broken...

"I'll never be free, will I?" She cries, her now red eyes meeting my soft, sympathetic gaze. I've never seen Aria like this; it's a little scary. 

"You are free. I promise you're not being held captive by me. This was the only plan we had to save your father," I finally spill the secret, not being able to keep it anymore. D can't do shit. She's my  wife now. That's all she asked for. She never said anything about after. I'll have war grounds if she murders Aria's father. 

Teary-eyed, Aria looks up at me with her mascara stained face. "W...What?" She asks in disbelief. She drops my hand and her expression hardens. "You didn't tell me this sooner, why?!" 

"Because if you knew, she would fucking kill him, Aria! I know you better than you think. You would've let emotions get the best of you and then you  would die too, and if you ever, and I mean ever think I would let anything happen to you, you're wrong. I would lay down my life for you in a heartbeat," I explain, my heart consistently slamming against my ribcage. Aria's expression lightens up to a face of numbness as she faces forward in the car. 

"Can we get food?" She asks calmly as she lies back to relax. 

"Of course, darling," I reply, getting ready to pull out of the parking lot. 

        Once we're back on the road, without saying a word, Aria grabs my hand, gently holding it in hers as her tears slowly stop completely. I let out a sigh of relief as she visibly calms down. 

We reach the restaurant and are seated almost immediately. Aria and I sit in a secluded area in the restaurant as we look over the menus. Aria shifts in her seat, preparing to ask something. 

"Derek how am I ever gonna pay you back for shit?" Aria asks. I smile, my eyes staying on the menu. That's cute. Thinking her love is worth all of the materials I provide. No. Her love is worth the moon and stars combined. 

"Aria, my loveliest woman, never talk about paying me back again. You are never going to, nor will I ever accept your money," I reply, looking up at Aria at the end of my sentence. Her face flushes a pink shade as she gets back to her menu, speechless. 

The waitress comes up to our table to take our drink orders, but before Aria can speak, I cut her off. 

"We'll do your finest bottle of white wine please," I request. Aria's jaw hits the floor. 

"Derek!" She scolds. 

"You're not paying me back. Now if you want anything else, tell her," I reply. Aria looks down, mildly embarrassed. 

"Just the wine is fine..." She trails off. The waitress smiles at as before putting our food order in as well and taking off. 

"You swear I won't ever owe you anything?" Aria asks. I smile, reaching my hand out, holding hers. Her skeptical reaction makes my heart race. Every little thing she does has my heart rolling in its cage. Every little movement she does has my cold barriers melted away. 

"I swear on your life, that you owe me nothing," I reply. 

"You can't do that, pick something or someone else that's important to you," She replies, a smile on her face. 

"I can't do that," I reply simply. 

"Why?" She asks, her eyes regaining positivity. 

"Because you're the most important thing to me. You and your safety," I explain. Aria's face continues to darken as our conversations carry on, my entire body consumed by her. The way she talks, the way she presents herself. She's the most perfect woman on the planet. She possesses a fire that burns brighter than the sun. "I can't swear by anything else when you're all I want and need. I've loved you from a distance for far too long."

        A small smile cracks on Aria's face before quickly being covered up by a scowl. Her soft eyes hardening once more as she mentally retracts from me. "Well, that's interesting."

Her eyes wander off as an uncomfortable silence overtakes the atmosphere. I pull my hand away from hers as the waitress comes over with our wine, quickly setting it down with the glasses before leaving us once again. 

I pour Aria her glass before filling mine was well. She instantly starts to gulp down her drink and I do the same. I just wish she wouldn't resent me. I want her to know that I'm here. It's not like I'm a stranger either. She and I know each other. She was engaged to my dickhead of a brother... a pathetic excuse for a man. Aria doesn't understand just how bad I need her. I crave her. Her touch. Her words. Her body. Her love. Her everything. I want whatever she wants to give. I want it all. I feel such a fiery desire to protect and love her in ways no man should ever have the joy of loving. I want her lost in me, relying on me as I take all of the weight off her shoulders. 

Aria and I eat a civil dinner before heading home in silence. The second the door to the house closes, Aira trots upstairs, her gentle footsteps are heard above me as I quietly sit down on the couch, running my fingers through my hair. 

D would fucking kill me if she knew I told Aria about her father. What if she goes after Aria? What if she hurts her own daughter? My thoughts spiral as my jaw clenches. I fucked up. Nothing gets by D. She'll figure it out eventually. And when she does; the barrel of my gun will be patiently waiting. 

~

Sorry for the late update! In case you guys haven't (kinda) noticed, I'm trying to upload every Thursday or every other Thursday! Stay tuned guys, lots coming your way!