Knock, knock.

"If that's Zain, go away."

Click.

"Fighting with him again?"

Grace shot up into a sitting position when she heard her grandfather's voice. "Hi..."

He approached and sat down on the corner of her bed. "You two always seem fired up, and I can't tell if you like each other or not."

"I don't like him."

"Your face says it's complicated." Ray sighed. "I know this is a lot to throw at you, and I'm sorry about that. Don't tell anyone I apologized, though."

"What's wrong with apologizing? If anything, it strengthens bonds."

"It's seen as weak. And about tonight... I made a big spectacle to show that you were already set on a path with no leeway, but apparently, that wasn't enough. I assume Zain told you someone followed you."

"Yeah."

"Another family was out to get you. They wanted to woo you and gain your hand, and end up the next boss. I didn't want this happening."

"You must be a big deal if people are coming after me that much." Grace sighed. She had heard about him numerous times, but he was always too big of a fish for her to go after.

"It makes it worse that you're beautiful; they're more likely to try something."

Her eyes went to a red spot on his shirt. "Is that blood?"

"Yes. Honestly, I thought he was out to kidnap you and use you against me, but no." Ray shook his head in disbelief. "You're probably tired of being in this place already."

Grace shrugged.

"How about you go to dinner with me tomorrow?"

"Dinner? Just the two of us?"

"I always have more men nearby, but they'll try to give us privacy. I'd love to spend more time with you."

Grace thought for a moment as she stared into his eyes. Despite the hardened expression he always wore, she could see softness in his eyes. "Okay, but can I ask you for something?"

"What is it, my dear?"

"I want the right to see Roger every day while he's here."

He frowned as he stared at her, but she didn't back down.

"He may not be treated badly with food and a working bathroom, but being trapped alone in a room with his only contact being with the people who kidnapped him is its own kind of psychological torture. I think even a few minutes a day might stop him from going insane and give him hope he'll get out of captivity soon."

He smirked and shook his head. "Ha... You are a hard person to argue with, just like your mother. Even when you start with the upper hand, she'd give you an argument that feels impossible to refute. She was in school to be a lawyer, last I knew, but when they ran, I think she dropped out... It's such a shame; she would've been an excellent lawyer, and we could've worked with her."

"Was she okay with the whole mafia thing?"

"She knew who your father was. Who his family was, and despite it, she wanted him. She was against certain things, but even she had a bit of a sketchy past. She'd gotten involved with the wrong people a few times, and it was your father that saved her from them. He brought her here for her protection."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"If she was here for protection, why'd he run?"

"Someone broke into the estate one day and attacked her. She was physically okay, but a bit traumatized. She was pregnant with you at the time, so you can imagine how enraged he was. He thought being here wasn't safe. In a way, he was right, but he was already known in our world, so it didn't matter where he went, he'd be in danger. You all were. I too grew up in this life, so it's all I ever knew. I guess the only way they would've been safe was if I had gotten out of this life."

"I don't know about that. You said my mother had already run into trouble before she met my father, so things could've been worse for her. And if that was the case, I wouldn't exist."

"I suppose you're right. I can't help but wonder what-if, but it is quite useless, isn't it?"

"Yes, but we all wonder, anyway."

He nodded and took a deep breath. "I suppose we shall continue our chat tomorrow at dinner?"

"Okay."

"You may see your friend every day for a short while, but make sure you keep it platonic. I don't think any of the candidates will tolerate another person vying for your heart." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, Gracey."

"Goodnight." Ha... I did it! I convinced him.

Ray left, and Zain appeared in her doorway.

"You heard him. I can go see Roger."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go." Zain waved her over.

Grace looked down at her clothes.

"It's now or not today at all."

"Fine, fine." Grace rushed over.

"Grace!" Roger jumped up from the bed as soon as she was in the doorway.

I can practically see his tail wagging. Was he always like a big pet?

She turned to Zain and waved him away.

"Whatever," he grumbled. "I'll be right here." He closed the door and leaned against the wall outside the room.

"You..." His eyes trailed down her. "Look gorgeous. At least it looks like they're treating you well."

"You're looking okay, too." She poked his cheek. "Well fed, not dehydrated... and for once you don't have dark circles under your eyes."

"There's not much to do in here other than eat, sleep, and exercise. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'll probably end up being in the best shape of my life."

"I'm sorry I haven't found a way to get you out yet," she whispered.

"I don't want you putting yourself at risk for me. And I might be able to get the key from the person who feeds me, but I don't know the layout, and..."

"There are a lot of people around basically all the time. I'm not sure there's a way to escape, short of being someone like Arsene Lupin."

"Which I am not." Roger sighed. "At least I get to see you. I have to ask, though." He pointed at her, referring to the dress.

"There was a party to introduce me today, along with my three marriage candidates. Zain Kuros, Vincent Moretti, and Floyd Russo. I don't know if you know anyone other than Zain."

"I haven't met them personally, but I've heard things about the other two. Mostly about their families, not them... Vincent... Isn't he the leader?"

"Yup."

"Damn. I heard he was still a teenager when he took over as the boss. He hunted down and killed the boss of another mafia family because they had killed his father. Imagine a teenager killing someone... I'd be careful of him. All of them, technically."

"Well, one of them is my future husband, so I'll eventually end up letting my guard down with him."

Roger cringed, clenching his fists. "Does that mean you've decided to go through with it?"

"Yes."

"If it's because of me, don't go through with it."

"That's only part of it. Apparently, it's been known I'm his granddaughter unofficially for some time... by some of them, at least. People either want to take my grandfather down or join him, so I'll be a target for the foreseeable future."

"There has to be a way out of this—"

"I'm not willing to run halfway around the world and go into hiding. I'd rather become a mafia princess, or whatever you want to call it."

"I think you'd be more like a mafia queen."

"What do you mean?"

"You're so strong and assured that 'princess' doesn't feel like a powerful enough term. But can you really do that? You're a cop. You have such strong morals, and we know the mafia is anything but that."

"I don't think I'd ever be able to get behind everything they do, but I might find a way to make it tolerable. Sketchy things, but for the good in the long run, you know?" I hope, anyway.

She could practically see the heartbreak on his face.

"But you live for being a cop."

"Things change."

"Has it, though? Have you really given up on being a cop? On helping people?"

"I can still help people... I can help more people, actually."

The door opened. "Okay, it's been long enough," Zain called out to them. "Say goodnight and let's go before I pass out waiting." He yawned as he waved her over.

"Until tomorrow, then." Grace sighed. "Stay strong."

Roger pulled her in for a hug. "I should be saying that to you. Stay safe, Grace."

Grace walked out past Zain, who glared at Roger for a moment before closing the door. "Might not want to get too touchy with him."

"It's a hug, Zain; lay off."

"That wasn't just a hug. It was too long for that."

"It's a hug for a close friend."

Zain rested his hand on her shoulder. "Well, you're only a potential partner right now, and I'm already jealous of him."

She pushed his hand off her shoulder. "You're a long way from getting even a hug like that."

Zain laughed. "We'll see about that, missy."