My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

Chapter 320: As If They Had Extra Lives To Spare

Meanwhile, Betty sat at the table with wide eyes and her jaw slack. Even Red, seated beside her, stared at the spread in quiet awe.

"Wow," Red said. "This is... this is a feast."

Betty turned to him. "Are we really hostages? I’ve never been held captive and treated like royalty before."

Red deadpanned. "You’re the Madam of Dominion right now."

"Oh." Her mouth formed a small O. "Right. Of course, they’d treat me differently."

"Even if they’re being aggressive, they need something from her — so they’d keep up appearances." Red leaned down and smelled one of the dishes. "Though it’s also possible there’s poison in it."

"Poison?" Betty bit her lip, eyes drifting slowly across the table. "They look so good."

She pressed a hand to her stomach as it gave a quiet grumble.

It had been hours since either of them had eaten, and it was starting to show.

"I don’t see anything obviously off," Red said, straightening up. "But we probably shouldn’t touch it."

Betty nodded vigorously.

They both turned away — then stopped and looked at each other.

"Maybe just a bite?" She pinched the air with a sheepish smile.

Red glanced at the food. "I’ll try it first. If I die, don’t eat it."

And so, as though they had extra lives to spare, they sat back down, and Red worked his way through each dish while Betty watched, cutlery already in hand, grip tight — waiting to see if he keeled over.

"Uh," Red cleared his throat after a few minutes.

Betty leaned forward. "What? Are you dying? Is it poisoned?"

Red pointed at one dish. "This one is incredible."

Her eyes lit up.

"Let’s eat," he said, already serving himself. "They’re really good."

Betty needed no further convincing. She served herself and tried the one he’d singled out. The moment it hit her tongue, she understood exactly what he meant.

The flavor was extraordinary.

They both knew this wasn’t the time for a leisurely meal, but after hours of tension and waiting, their appetites had quietly crept back. They ate well, and somewhere in the middle of it, the pace slowed.

"I can’t believe we’ve made it this far," Betty said, setting down her glass after a sip of water. "I was sure they’d see through it on the way here."

Red shrugged. "I don’t know if it says something good or bad, but her reputation is actually working in our favor."

The only reason the disguise had held was that none of these people knew Ashley personally. They knew of her — through rumors, through reputation. They knew what she looked like, of course, which was why Red had asked the crew attendant for a facial mask early on. A long-lasting one. When it dried, they replaced it with a mud mask. Betty had only removed it now because they’d bought enough time.

"Her reputation..." Betty let out a short, uncomfortable laugh.

She didn’t have to think long before wincing. Ashley’s reputation back then had been genuinely terrible, and neither of them could honestly call it all lies. There was truth in it.

"I wonder what’s happening out there," she murmured. "They’ve stopped asking about the Young Master."

Not surprising. Everyone knew Ashley hadn’t cared much about Primo — or at least, that was the version of Ashley most people knew. If Betty and Red hadn’t witnessed the change themselves, they wouldn’t have believed it either.

As the two of them ate, Red caught movement at the edge of his vision.

"Anyway —" Betty nearly bit her tongue as Red’s hand slammed flat against the table and he shot to his feet.

She flinched, eyes snapping to him, and then she saw his expression. He was staring at something behind her.

Someone’s here.

"Miss Nikki?" Red said, surprise breaking through his voice.

Betty’s brows drew together.

Miss Nikki is here?

Both of them knew Nikki well enough; they’d worked in Dominion long enough for that. She was widely regarded as the natural choice for the next Madam of Dominion, and no one had ever pushed back on the idea.

Nikki stood a few steps from the table, her gaze sliding toward Betty. From where she stood, all she could make out was the back of Betty’s head above the chair.

"Miss Nikki, are you — is everything okay?" Red asked, moving toward her.

"I’m fine, Red." She smiled. "Could I have a moment with her?"

"Huh?"

"There’s something I need to discuss with her." Nikki nodded toward the door. "Give us a moment."

Red’s smile faltered, his brows drawing together almost imperceptibly. Even with Betty playing the role, the situation hadn’t left his mind for a second. They hadn’t been able to leave this room. Yet Nikki had walked in freely — and she didn’t look nearly as shaken as she should.

Red admired Nikki. He respected her. But his loyalty had been pledged elsewhere.

"Sorry." He stepped back, spine straight. "I can’t leave her alone with anyone here."

Nikki’s smile disappeared. "Excuse me?" fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"It’s all right, Red," Betty’s voice came quietly, eyes still forward. "Stay nearby. I’ll hear what she has to say."

Red glanced toward her, weighed it, and gave a short nod.

"I’ll be in the next room," he said, which both of them understood to mean he’d be listening.

He gave Nikki a brief nod and left without another word.

Nikki watched him go, mildly surprised, then turned her attention back to Betty.

"Thank you," she said, stepping closer before stopping.

She took stock of what she could see — the robe, the hair still wrapped in a towel, the hands resting near the cutlery. When she noticed the slight tremor in the utensils, the corner of her mouth curved.

"You don’t know me, so let me introduce myself. My name is Nikki. I’ve worked for Dominion for as long as I can remember." She kept her tone light. "First, I apologize for last night. The High Chamber wanted to ensure everyone’s safety once word of the Black Dragon’s condition reached people it shouldn’t have."

She held a measured smile. "I won’t draw this out. There’s a meeting with the High Chamber shortly."

"They’ve heard about your wish to leave Dominion," she continued evenly. "And they’re prepared to grant it. As Lucian’s wife, you’d be given whatever you ask for. That includes ensuring the Di Carpios can never find or come after you, if that’s what you want."

Silence settled as Nikki watched Betty’s body language, unable to read her face from this angle.

"All they’re asking in return is that you help them find the Young Master."