Chapter 2 2

Alessia

I didn't know how long I'd been sitting there.

The room felt smaller, like the walls were creeping in. Everything looked the same, same bed, same walls, same air freshener Zara made me buy last week. But nothing felt normal anymore.

I was being married off. To Dante Valenti.

I thought about the stories I heard of him. Quiet, brutal, untouchable. He didn't ask for things. He took them. And now apparently, that included me.

I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at the floor.

This couldn't be real.

But it was.

They said it was already done. Papers signed. Plans made. I hadn't even met him.

No one asked me. They just handed me over like property.

What if I run?

Where would I go?

Would they come after me?

Would he?

I thought about running away.

Every minute, the thought was louder in my head.

It wouldn't be easy. But I had a plan.

Pack a bag. Climb from the balcony. Take one of the cars from the garage.

I knew how to disappear. Milan taught me that.

But Milan was gone. My life was gone too.

I sat at the edge of my bed, looking at my phone.

Messages were coming in.

It was Zara.

- You alive or what?

- Don't make me come drag your stubborn ass out of whatever crypt your uncle buried you in.

A few minutes later, a soft knock came on the door.

Then it opened before I could answer.

Zara El-Amin walked in like she owned the house.

Black boots. Red lipstick. Hair perfect. Her skirt was the shortest I'd ever seen. She dressed like a goddess, always loud, always brave. I loved that about her.

Zara had the kind of presence that demanded attention, loud, warm, a little chaotic. She could insult you and make you feel loved in the same breath, and half the time, I wasn't sure if she wanted to slap me or hug me.

She'd been my best friend since we were kids, my voice when I lost mine, my shield when I couldn't stand. And I knew, the moment I told her about the wedding, she was going to lose her mind.

"Damn, Al," she said, looking at me. "You look terrible."

"I feel terrible."

Zara sat beside me, dropped her purse on the bed.

"You going to tell me what's happening or should I start guessing?"

"They're marrying me off."

She stopped moving. "What?"

"To Dante Valenti."

She stood up sharply. "The psycho prince of the underworld?"

"Apparently, it's an honor."

Zara laughed, but it was sharp. Angry. "They're insane. And you're not doing it."

"They already made the decision."

"Then you undecide it."

I sighed. "You know i can't."

"Yes, you can. Al, you're not a thing they can just give away."

My voice cracked. "I don't want to lose everything. He's dangerous."

She softened a bit and held my hand. "Oh Al."

I sighed again and adjusted on the bed.

I'm thinking of leaving."

Zara leaned in "Do we go east or disappear completely?"

I blinked. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious. You drive, I lie to your uncle. Teamwork."

Another knock.

A maid opened the door. She looked nervous. "Miss Moretti... Mr. Valenti is here. He's waiting downstairs."

My chest tightened. I didn't know he was coming.

I stood up slowly.

Zara grabbed my wrist. "You don't owe him anything. Don't let him scare you."

"I won't."

I told her to stay and followed the maid down the hallway, down the stairs.

He was in the sitting room.

Dante Valenti.

He looked sharp all over, sharp suit, sharper eyes.

He watched me as I walked closer, completely unbothered.

The man beside him, probably security, had a face that said he'd buried people for less.

My heartbeat picked up, but I didn't slow down.

"You're smaller than I remember," Dante said.

I lifted my chin. "Shame. You're exactly the size of my worst expectations."

He looked slightly amused. A little annoyed.

"I'm not here to argue," he said. "Just to explain the rules."

"Rules?"

"Yes. This marriage is business. Let's keep it like that."

My stomach turned. "How romantic."

"No scandals. Don't interfere with Valenti business. Anything else you want is at your disposal. Children... we'll about talk later."

I laughed. "So I'm your prisoner with benefits?"

He stepped closer. "No. You're my wife. There are expectations."

"I'm not good at following rules."

"Then you'll learn."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a fact."

His voice didn't change. Calm. Cold.

It made my skin crawl. I hated it. Hated how he filled the room, like smoke you couldn't breathe through.

I looked away. "You're not getting a soft bride."

"I don't want one," he said. "I want someone useful. Smart enough not to make herself my enemy."

My heart beat hard. "You don't know who I am."

"I know enough."

"No, Dante. You know what they told you. What they sold you. But I'm not for sale."

He stepped in front of me.

His voice dropped. "Seven days, Alessia. After that, your name changes. Your life changes. Whether you like it or not."

I looked straight at him. Then I walked away.

There was no point saying more.

Dante

She walked in trying to act calm. But the tension in her shoulders gave her away.

That stubborn tilt of her chin hadn't changed since her father's funeral. She was still pretending she wasn't scared, and it annoyed me more than it should.

"You're smaller than I remember," I said, watching her reaction.

She shot back, "Too bad. You're exactly what I expected."

I almost smiled. Almost.

It would've been easier if she cried. If she begged. If she acted like everyone else.

But Alessia Moretti didn't beg. And that made things more interesting.

"This marriage is a business deal," i said. "Let's treat it that way."

She didn't back down.

Good.

I definitely did not need a girl that threw herself on me.

Her voice was sharp. "You don't know me."

I stepped closer, just enough to make a point.

"I know enough." i said.

Then she turned and walked.

I didn't move, just stared at the door.

Something twisted in my chest.