MARRIED TO THE ENEMY DON

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001

The rain pounded hard against the glass windows of the grand estate, the storm outside mirroring the turmoil inside. A silence hung thick in the room, broken only by the soft ticking of an ancient clock and the distant roll of thunder.

Lara's heart thudded painfully in her chest as she stood facing the man she had been told was her enemy-the man who had destroyed everything she once knew. The don, Marcus Adeniyi, was a figure carved out of shadows and danger. His presence filled the room like a storm, sharp eyes assessing her with a cold intensity that made her skin crawl.

"You understand why this has to happen," Marcus said, his voice low but commanding. "This marriage isn't about love. It's about survival-for both our families."

Lara swallowed hard, her throat dry. The walls of her family home had been reduced to ashes only days ago, flames devouring memories and hope alike. Her younger brother was missing, taken by those who wanted to send a message-a message from Marcus's rival clan.

The choice had been brutal: surrender to an alliance sealed by marriage or watch her family fall apart completely.

"I don't want this," she said quietly, eyes flickering with a mixture of defiance and desperation. "But if it's the only way to keep my brother alive... then I'll do it."

Marcus nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. Because once this is done, there's no turning back. You're mine-and I don't tolerate betrayal."

Lara's jaw tightened. She wasn't his pawn. Not yet.

---

The wedding was a quiet affair, far from the opulent celebrations Lara had imagined for herself as a child. Instead, it was held in a private chapel guarded by Marcus's men, a place where vows were exchanged with heavy hearts and wary eyes.

As she walked down the aisle, her white dress a stark contrast against the dark wood, all she could think about was the future-a future where every step would be shadowed by suspicion and danger.

Marcus waited at the altar, looking every bit the ruthless don the city feared. Yet, when their eyes met, there was a flicker of something unspoken-a challenge, a warning, or perhaps a reluctant acceptance.

"I swear to protect you," Marcus said as he took her hand, the weight of the promise hanging heavily between them. "But you have to prove you're not my enemy."

Lara met his gaze steadily. "I'm not your enemy. Not yet."

---

The days that followed the wedding were a whirlwind of uneasy alliances and fragile peace. Marcus's estate was a fortress, filled with luxury and secrets. Lara found herself navigating a world she barely understood-one of whispered deals, dangerous rivalries, and silent threats.

Every glance from Marcus was a test. Every conversation a negotiation. She learned quickly that in this world, trust was a weapon-and everyone held one.

One evening, as she wandered through the sprawling gardens, lost in thought, Marcus appeared beside her.

"You're braver than I expected," he said quietly.

Lara looked up, surprised. "Why?"

"Most would have broken by now. Or played the victim."

"I don't have that luxury," she replied, her voice steady. "I have to find a way to survive-and maybe even fight back."

Marcus studied her, a shadow of respect crossing his features. "Good. Because if you're going to live here, you'll need strength. And loyalty."

Lara's heart skipped. Loyalty to him? To this enemy she was supposed to hate?

---

But not everyone welcomed her arrival. Rumors spread quickly in the underworld, whispers of a gold digger married to the don for power and wealth. Lara faced cold stares and whispered accusations from Marcus's closest allies, some openly hostile, others dangerously calculating.

Her only ally was Marcus's trusted lieutenant, Elias-a man as loyal to Marcus as he was wary of Lara.

"I don't trust her," Elias told Marcus one evening. "She's here to use you. Mark my words."

Marcus's eyes flashed with warning. "Watch yourself, Elias. She's here because of me."

"But can she be trusted?" Elias pressed. "Or is this just another betrayal waiting to happen?"

---

The tension reached a breaking point when Lara received an anonymous note slipped under her door:

"Not everyone here wants peace. Watch your back. Trust no one."

Fear prickled her skin, but anger flared brighter.

If she was going to survive this marriage-to protect her family, to find her brother-she would have to be stronger, smarter, and more ruthless than anyone expected.

Even if it meant walking the razor's edge between love and hate.

---

As thunder rumbled again outside, Lara looked out over the city lights, a fierce determination burning in her eyes.

This marriage was a battlefield. And she intended to win.

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