Chapter 1 A Proposal of Power

ALINA

I just walked into THE MONSTER'S home.

I stood stiffly in Luca Marino's study, trying not to stare at the blood on the floor near the corner.

The dry smell of cigars and whiskey filled the room. The huge desk in front of me looked like it belonged to a king-or a very dangerous man.

This was a bad idea.

A terrible idea.

But my father was dead, my family was falling apart, and my younger brother and sister were depending on me.

There was no turning back.

The door slammed open behind me. Heavy footsteps followed, then stopped.

"Who the hell are you?" The voice was deep like the depths of the ocean. Deep and cold.

I turned into the darkest pair of eyes I'd ever seen.

Luca Marino. The Monster.

My mouth went dry.

He was tall, with messy black hair and sharp dark eyes that felt like they could pin me to the wall.

His black shirt was rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong arms, one of which was stained with blood.

A tattoo of a beautiful mermaid was on his forearm, so clear it looked alive.

He curled his lips, but his eyes didn't smile. "I asked a question."

"I'm Alina Costa." My voice came out stronger than I expected considering how scared I was suddenly. I knew that Luca knew exactly who I was. There was no way he'd be here to see me if he didn't.

His head tilted slightly. "You're the Costa girl. The one with all the family problems."

My jaw tightened. Everyone knew the Costa family. Everyone knew my father was dead. "I didn't come here to talk about my family."

Luca leaned against his desk, folding his arms. I wanted to squirm under his harsh eyes. "Then why are you here? I was in the middle of something." He held up his bloody arm like it was a joke. "You interrupted."

"I need to marry you."

The curl of his lips disappeared. For a second, he just stared at me, his dark eyes searching my face like I was a puzzle he didn't understand.

Then he laughed like I'd said something very funny. A real laugh. His eyes lit up and I realized they were more brown than black.

"Marry me?" He shook his head. "You're out of your mind."

I didn't flinch. I could be dead if he didn't agree. Out of my mind was easy. "Probably. But I don't have another choice."

His laugh faded, but he still looked amused. "If you're desperate for a husband, you should pick someone else. I am Luca Marino, The Monster".

He was the monster because it was said he could crush a man's head with his hands. Looking at him, I almost believed it. He was huge, at least six feet, two inches tall. And heavily muscled.

He could certainly crush me if he wanted to.

I nodded slowly, my fingers shaking now. I wiped them behind my back. "That's exactly why I picked you."

His eyes narrowed. Now he was paying attention. "Go ahead, explain."

I dragged air into my chest which was beating too fast and hard. "My father is dead. My uncles are fighting over the Mafia. The rivals see me as easy prey. My family is falling apart. If I don't act, my brother and sister won't survive this. And neither will I."

"And you think I'm your solution?"

"You're the only one everyone's afraid of. No one will touch me if I'm your wife."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I won't kill you myself?"

My heart pounded, but I held his eyes. If I didn't convince him, I had wasted my time coming here. "Because I have something you don't."

He leaned forward, smiling like he didn't believe that was possible. "And what's that?"

"Loyalty. Connections. And the one thing all those men out there want-control of the Costa family."

For a moment, the room was silent except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. Luca didn't look away, and I refused to back down.

I spent weeks repeating these words over and over again. Telling myself that fear was a luxury I couldn't pay for.

Payment would be my father's hard work, my family's life. My life.

"I should throw you out of here," Luca said finally.

"Then do it." I lifted my head, hiding the snake in my hands. "But you won't. Because you're too smart to pass up a chance like this."

Luca stared at me, his face blank.

"Why me?" he asked suddenly.

"My father's most trusted man helped me make a list," I said simply. "The most dangerous men alive. Your name was at the top."

The corner of his mouth curved, and he flattened it, almost like he was trying not to smile.

"And you thought, 'Hey, I'll marry the most dangerous guy in the world'? That's your plan?"

"I need someone who can scare them. Someone who can keep my family alive." My voice went soft. "And I need someone I can trust not to stab me in the back."

His head tilted again, studying me like I was some rare animal he hadn't seen before. "You think you can trust me?"

"No," I admitted. "But I can't trust anyone else, either."

He let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "You've got guts. I'll give you that."

"I'm serious," I pressed. "Leave the love or romance. It's a deal. You protect me, and you get something in return."

"And what's that?"

"My name," I said. "The Costa name still carries weight. If you marry me, no one will question your power. You'll be untouchable."

His gaze flickered with something I couldn't quite read. He pushed off the desk and walked closer, stopping just a foot away from me.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Alina Costa."

"I know."

He stepped even closer, towering over me now. "Do you?"

My breath caught. His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it sent shivers down my spine.

"I could destroy you," Luca said. "Everything you love. Everything you're trying to protect."

I swallowed hard, meeting his eyes. "Then do it."

Silence sat between us, heavy and electric.

Finally, Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "You're either the bravest woman I've ever met or the stupidest."

"Maybe both," I said. I could be both.

He took a step back, still watching me. "You've got my attention, Costa. Let's see if you can keep it."

I exhaled slowly, my heart pounding like a drum. I had him.

"Why don't we start with why you think I won't kill you?" he asked suddenly, casual but his eyes deadly serious, and he pulled a knife from his waist.

And just like that, the room felt colder.

I froze.