The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 20

- Violet -

---- ONE WEEK LATER

"You're a liar!" Violet whined through the phone. "You said you'd keep me company while we wait for the situation to get better. But here you are, running around in Europe while I'm stuck here for a whole week!"

After Damon told Violet that she wasn't allowed to communicate with the outside world or go out of the estate until they catch the people that were trying to infiltrate the compound, Damon and his closest men went to leave for Europe on top secret business stuff. He was supposed to stay with her and make the lockdown situation a lot more bearable, but he was gone early the next day. Violet spent the next six days cooped up in the large estate, only talking to Talia or Elena from time to time. She wasn't allowed to use her phone or make any calls unless she was supervised. And boy, was she being supervised. Beau never left her sight 24/7. The only time she got to be alone was when she was in the bathroom doing her business.

"I'm so sorry, sweet girl. But I have to go and do this. This mess isn't gonna fix itself without me," Damon sighed through the phone. If it were up to him, he wouldn't want to leave her either. But this top-secret business meeting was highly important and he couldn't afford to miss it.

"It's been an entire week, Damon. How much longer will this stupid meeting take?" Violet continued whining. "You said it's only a meeting between four people, why is this taking so long?"

"Not four people, four families," Damon corrected her. "Today's the last day, I promise. And then I'll be back and you can have me for however long you want,"

Violet's lips twitched into a smile instinctively. After being away from Damon for so long, she was craving him in every shape and form. Just the thought of seeing him again soon sent shivers up and down her spine.

"Hmm, that sounds like a plan," her tone of voice grew gentler and warmer.

"Absolutely," he stifled a laugh. "I plan on keeping you for myself for the next seven days. I'll make up for the time I've been away,"

"Alright," Violet couldn't help but giggle happily. "It's a deal,"

Damon must be happy to hear her giggle because he was chuckling too.

"So, how are you doing? Are Talia and Elena taking good care of you?" he asked.

"Yeah, they're great..." Violet trailed as she glanced at Talia and Elena in the background. They were sitting on the large sofa in the living room while Violet was using the house phone. They were talking like they weren't eavesdropping on her conversation, but Talia was totally listening. "But not as great as you," Violet whispered the last part.

Damon let out another chuckle.

"I really miss you, my sweet girl," he said.

"And I miss you, my dear Damon," "I'll see you soon,"

"I'll see you soon,"

With a big smile playing on her face, Violet then turned off the call. Even though she was upset about being locked up in the estate, every time she heard his voice, all her troubles went away. Her heart felt only warmness and butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.

"Aww! My dear Damon!" Talia teased as Violet put down the phone.

"Shut up!" Violet glared at her.

"Every day it's just Damon this and Damon that... sweetie, you are so, so whipped," Talia laughed and turned to Elena. "Isn't she whipped?"

"Whipped?" Elena looked confused.

"Whatever, just ignore her," Violet rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Hey, where are you going?" Talia called out.

"Somewhere where I'm not being monitored!"

It was nice spending time with Talia and Elena all day, but Violet was getting exhausted. They were listening to everything she said and watching everything she did. Sometimes, Violet even felt offended. It was like they didn't trust that she'd follow Damon's orders. Well, who can blame them? I did defy the boss... plenty of times.

Violet walked up the stairs and went into her room. The big master suite looked empty and cold without Damon in it. Letting out a sigh, she went into the en-suite bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Standing in front of the mirror, Violet thought for a moment before reaching for her purse. She fished out her phone and an idea crossed her mind. Today was the seventh day, her lockdown days were supposed to be over soon. She hadn't been able to contact her family for a week and it was frustrating. Damon told her that she could call Dylan using the house phone but Violet didn't feel comfortable doing that. Talia, Elena, and Beau were always around and eavesdropping. She was afraid they might hear something that Dylan say and got offended by it.

This should be fine, right? It'll just take a second.

Violet didn't think twice before turning on her cellphone. As soon as the phone was on, she went to her contacts and dialed Dylan's number. The line didn't even ring twice before Dylan picked up. "Violet? Oh my God, are you okay?" he sounded worried.

"Hey, Dyl. I'm fine," she replied. "Sorry I haven't been able to call you, things got a little... hectic around here,"

"You went AWOL on us again, Vi. Please don't fucking do that again!" Dylan sounded stressed. "You don't know how worried I've been. I thought he might've... done something to you,"

"Damon's not doing anything to me," Violet said reassuringly. "He's not even here right now. He's in Europe for business,"

"Then what the hell are you still doing there? I thought you were gonna come visit us? I'm running out of excuses every time mom asks me where you're at,"

"I'm sorry, I'm still coming to Texas, but... I can't do it right now,"

"What?"

"It's just that... things have been kind of difficult lately..." Violet wanted to explain what happened, but this was sensitive stuff. Damon wouldn't want her to divulge this information to just anybody. "This is bullshit!" Dylan barked impatiently. "I thought you said you're free to leave anytime you want?"

"I can leave, but it's just that... something's happened and..."

"That's always the case, isn't it? Something always happens," "Dylan-"

"Miss Violet?"

Violet's shoulders jerked up instantly as she heard Beau calling her from behind the door. He was also knocking on the door, waiting for her response. Violet froze for a moment. If Beau heard about her making a call, this would not be good. "I gotta go, I can't talk right now, but I'll explain everything later," Violet whispered and spoke as fast as she could.

"You know, for someone who isn't a hostage, you sure sound like one-"

Violet couldn't wait anymore and quickly turned off the call. Her thumb was hitting the 'end' button several times before she haphazardly turned off her phone.

"Miss Violet," Beau suddenly opened the door without her permission and Violet whipped her body around as fast as she could, hiding the phone behind her back. "Hey, Beau," she smiled nervously.

Beau narrowed his eyes and saw the reflection in the mirror. Behind Violet's back, she was holding onto her phone.

"Were you using your phone?" he sounded anxious. "I thought Mr. Van Zandt has told you you're not allowed to use that,"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Miss Violet, you've broken a serious rule," Beau cut her off sternly. "I'll have to tell the boss about it,"

"Beau, please, I just="

Beau didn't wait for her to finish. He quickly exited the room and raced down the stairs. Violet let out a long sigh before following after him, but she was too late. Beau was already on the phone talking to somebody. Next to him were Elena and Talia, looking up at Violet with worried expressions.

Oh, I'm gonna be in so much trouble!

*

~ Damon -

"Okay, thanks for letting me know," Damon said as he turned off the call. His face was cold and stoic, difficult to read.

Standing on the second-floor balcony of a beautiful chateau, Damon looked down at the grand ballroom where a huge party was happening. Three of the most powerful mafia families in the world were in attendance. Three, not four, because Hugo DeSantis and his men were absent.

"Who was that?" Adrian asked, he was standing at an arm's length away from Damon, and Liam was behind him.

"Beau, reporting an incident at the estate," Damon replied.

"Is it bad?"

"She broke the rule,"

"I told you, you should've taken her phone away," Adrian tsked and shook his head. "You know she's gonna wanna call her family,"

Yeah, but I thought I could trust her words.

Damon thought he made himself clear. It was dangerous for her to do such a thing. When she said that she wouldn't do it, he thought he could trust her, even though everyone else didn't seem to think so. Talia and Elena even took turns watching her and reporting her every move, so was Beau.

"Hey, where are you going?" Adrian asked as Damon walked away from the balcony. "Hugo might still come,"

Damon only clenched his jaw and shook his head. The Big Four meeting that Damon called for was a big success. It was a weeklong lavish party held at a beautiful chateau on the outskirts of Bordeaux. The secretive place was filled with important people from all over the world. So many people came in and out every day, looking to network, make allies and friends. Everyone who was anyone was invited, but Hugo DeSantis seemed to be uninterested to attend.

This was a big revelation for Damon. Hugo never rejected an invite from the Van Zandt family before. Something must be going on in the DeSantis household that he was pulling away from Damon. All attempts that Damon made to reassure their alliance seemed to not be working. Hugo was clearly distancing himself on purpose.

Maybe Hugo's figured out that I'm never truly his ally. Maybe he's planning an attack on me? Or maybe he's waiting for my next move... waiting for me to attack first.

"It's the seventh day," Damon stated the obvious. "If he wanted to come he'd be here already,"

"So you're just gonna leave?" Adrian gaped. "Aren't we supposed to figure out Plan B?"

Damon straightened his suit and nodded at Liam. Liam knew what that meant. The boss wanted to leave and he was supposed to get the jet ready. Within seconds, Liam raced out of the room ahead of Damon.

"Damon!" Adrian scolded him sternly. "The other two families are here with us. You can use this opportunity even though Hugo's not coming!"

"This party isn't for them," Damon hissed. "I called for this meeting to know where he's at with us and now I know,"

Damon and Adrian exchanged a knowing look. This was something Adrian had been dreading. He wanted another outcome from this meeting, but it was undeniable now. Another war was coming. And this was going to be a big one.

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out," Damon said reassuringly, putting a hand on the consigliere's shoulder. "You can stay here and wrap this up, can you?"

"Damon," Adrian's tone was pleading. He really wanted Damon to stay, or maybe work something out with the other families to avoid the war that was coming.

As if to answer him, Damon only smirked and shook his head.

"I need to teach somebody a lesson about following orders, Adrian," Damon said meaningfully before turning around. "You know how important that is,"