la's

asked, my voice slicing t

sly instructed. Hair done, dress clinging to my body like it knew this was a show. Heels tall enough to make my toes ache. But instea

ouch it. I

rway, unbothered, arms

family of murderers and I get an engagement ring by courier service? No face.

d, a warning twit

pping into the room. "This is war. And you're the sharpest

an. You want an alliance, fine. But don't dress it

front of me. Before I could flinch, his fingers g

ever Saverio you're matched with. He is a powerful man. And you? You're my key inside. I need eyes. I need ears.

ith fury. "You think that's

ve a daughter who lived long enough t

ath hi

his eyes melted into something softer. He smoothed down my hair gently,

ne for you, Candela," he sai

all. I turned just in time to see Sofia descending

aid airily. "It's always fun watching

the marble floor, her silk rob

she sang with a fake pout. "Must

every inch of steel in me rise t

it's not me. I'm not cut out for arranged marriages. You, though? Yo

lked past her, heels echoing with each ste

so-called love for Brian or any sense of duty to him but for my parents. He was right. It was time to get vengeance. I smiled

e a goddess," she gasped, circling me. Carina followed more slowly, her gaze softer, more

ed. "M

nd then Brian stepped in. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, bu

e," he sa

weight of my dress was nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest. My heels clicked agains

e for what I saw when

t a severely old man, hunched and trembling, barely able to stand straight. My eyes wide

I muttered u

ouncer's voi

atore Saverio is busy. His grandfat

soft, ceremonial music, as

n, my eyes burning. "What the fuck

low and firm, "I'd advise you to watch your mouth. You aren't getting mar

allowed the scream that rose in my throat and

rina wiping a lone tear. I blinke

and Rafael Saverio. Legends, nightmares, news headlines come to

en it tru

ce. It wasn't a d

. Salvatore Saverio,the one no one ever saw, th

rings slipped on my finger by a withered hand, and cameras

sked away,out of the hall, into a fleet of bl

lammed shu

I was no longer ju

wife. A pawn in th

d made on

ht they ow

at they just invite