Chapter 1 - The Whisper in the Dark
Elena stepped closer until I could smell her bitter perfume.
"He will break you," she whispered, her voice slicing through the heavy silence of the hallway.
"The men in this family do not know how to love, they only know how to possess."
I looked from her sharp eyes to Luca, who was watching us with that same guarded resignation.
He was waiting for me to run.
He was waiting for me to become just another ghost in this massive, lonely house.
I straightened my spine and brushed a smudge of imaginary flour off my dress.
"Good thing I am incredibly stubborn," I replied quietly.
Elena's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before her cold mask slipped back into place.
I walked past her, my heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.
I stopped right in front of Luca, forcing him to look down at me.
"So, are we getting married or are we just going to stand here looking tragic?" I asked.
A sound escaped his throat, something between a cough and a laugh.
"The priest is waiting in the chapel," Luca said, his deep voice vibrating in his chest.
He offered me his arm again, and this time, I didn't hesitate to take it.
His muscles felt like carved granite beneath the expensive fabric of his suit.
We walked in silence down a long corridor lined with antique weapons and somber paintings.
The chapel was lit entirely by candles, casting dancing shadows against the stone walls.
The ceremony was a blur of Latin phrases and heavy incense.
When it came time to exchange rings, my hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped the gold band.
Luca caught my hand in his massive one, steadying my trembling fingers with surprising gentleness.
He slid the ring onto my finger, and for a moment, the dangerous Mafia boss melted away.
"I do," I whispered, and for the first time in my life, I meant it with absolute certainty.
The priest smiled and told Luca he could kiss the bride.
Luca leaned down, his eyes searching mine for any sign of fear.
May you like
When he found none, his lips brushed against mine in a kiss that was shockingly tender.
Then, the massive stained-glass window above the altar exploded inward.
