ra

s a grand, hol

the grand ballroom. It mixed with the murmur of a hundred conv

l? They're practi

e hasn't even g

od pact, no

d flawlessly in place, a ma

t like a statue carved fr

sharp, unforgiving. A faint, silvery scar cut through his left eyebrow-a detail the sanitized press photos never capt

ngle word since I'd w

heavy, beaded gown, I wasn't trembling with fear. I was merel

d galas with assassins disguised as w

The last of the guests departed, leaving a w

ovement he'd made in an hour t

a low, gravelly rumble devoid of warmt

r, I presumed. Flanking him were photographs of unfamiliar but equally stern faces, likely the fallen enforcers who had bled to build this empire. While an ordinary bride might have recoiled from their heavy, scrutiniz

yes, opened a set of heavy oak doors for us. He gave m

s. M

sing with a heavy click that e

ridal

A fire crackled in a massive stone fireplace, but

life, had started much like this.

, charismatic smile of an untouchable mafia prince; Eliga wore his danger openly, like a loaded gun.

decanter on a mahogany sidebar. He poured a measure of

ng, arctic blue, swept over me from head to toe. It wasn't the look of a man adm

lhoun,"

liberate line drawn in the

r about the nature

, a wave of profound relief washed over me. No politic

vel, devoid of the tremor he undoubtedly expe

tion. "This marriage is a transaction. It serves the interests of the Syndic

His presence was a physical force, an aura of

from me. "A hostess for my estate. A mother figure to keep my thre

ttle. "In return, the Russo name will protect

fectly," I said, meeting hi

ed his stoic features. Because I hadn't given

s voice dropping to a glacial chill, "you will not

d. Instead, I gave a slight, alm

riage? It was the perfect

final. He placed his half-empty glass on a nearby ta

y would repeat itself. The staff w

neen had. A weak, discarded bride had no authority, no power to mold his

't let h

voice quiet but cutting through the silence like a silver b

, he turned his head, his profile etched against the dim light. His eyes narrowe

on. Now, it was time to show