Chapter 2 THE DEVIL'S WIFE

Natalie looked around for the source of the voice.

Her eyes found a pair of intense sea green eyes.With long black hair and a rolled up shirt. At the corner of the altar, her uncle stood eyes bulging in surprise, sweat broke out on his forehead. He dabbed at it furiously.

Viktor's eyes narrowed. Natalie tried to place this face. Was this some admirer of hers who wanted to play hero?

The pair of eyes walked towards the altar , his gaze never leaving Natalie. He gave her a once over, his eyes resting briefly on her lips. Natalie bit it unconsciously.

"Lorenzo..."Viktor said by way of acknowledgement."what brings you here?"

So this was from His side? Oh boy!

The young man smiled, a handsome devilish smile that did something nasty to her insides. She froze. Why would she be feeling this way?

"I wanted to wait till after, I'm not one for parties you know....But..." his gaze lingered on her again " your pretty wife here made the party so lively and got my attention".

A pause.

"I want her". he smiled crookedly.

Viktor's body stiffened. His eyes narrowed.

"what do you mean? " Viktor's face was set.

"I wanted to collect my debt in another way ,but I've got right here the perfect exchange and compensation. The lovely natalie. My Wife". He threw a lopsided grin her way.

Natalie took a step back. The crowd gasp was comical.

"No! " It came out involuntarily.

Lorenzo turned to her. Taking a step towards her.

"No?" .His smile turned deadly.

He walked towards her. "were you given a choice? ". he asked.

".. ..." she was actually at a loss for words. She stared at this man with his stare that looked like he could look right into your very being.

Her uncle came to stand beside Roman as if in solidarity. Natalie nearly laughed. What help could he even offer.

"Perhaps you are mistaken" Her uncle began tentatively. "my niece is to be wedded to Mr. Viktor here. I understand that you may harbor some feelings for her but she is already taken. I'd advice to go hurry along now. Mr Viktor's anger is not something you want to experience ".

He wasn't doing it in her defense. He only cared about himself. Her teeth clenched. The newcomer threw his head back and laughed a deep throat laugh.

"And now you suddenly care. Let me see. What if i triple the amount you sold your 'neice' here for ? Would you give her to me? " he raised a brow. Her uncle was visibly sweating. He rubbed his clammy palms on his trousers.

"Triple? ".

Natalie felt nauseated. Here they were sealing her destiny and acting like she wasn't right in front of them. Her stomach churned when she noticed that her uncle was actually considering it.

He gave a side look to Viktor and barely a glance at her. "Do you mean what you say. You have to pay first! "

Smack!

Viktor's hand nearly created a dent in her uncle's head. They all turned to him in shock. Lorenzo burst out laughing.

"you greedy bastard! I'm still in front of you!" his veins nearly popped out in anger. Natalie despite herself let out a soft chuckle.

Her uncle cowered. Viktor turned to Lorenzo.

"I understand that the Italian group made a promise not to interfere with American business matters. May I ask what brings you here? This is not your jurisdiction and the debt that you speak off has long been repaid. Now you may leave me to continue my marrrige ceremony in peace or else risk a war between our people. Something your father wouldn't like" The last sentence was said in a dangerous tone.

Lorenzo stepped closer.

"did I sense a threat? Are you in the right position to question me?"

"I believe I am".

A low chuckle.

Viktor's phone rang. He hesitated.

"I think you should answer that" .

He did, eyes never leaving Lorenzo who started a low whistle. The person at the other end spoke rapidly in Russian, Viktor's eyes widened and narrowed at intervals. whatever that person was saying it was bad.

"You thought this through right? Of course. You are not called the devil's son for nothing". His teeth gritted. He took a last look at Natalie and then her uncle. "You better make sure my money is paid back in full". He said menacingly to Gideon who shrinked in fear. Then with a nod of his head, his men pulled out hurrying towards the exit in a frenzy. Whatever had happened, it was bad.

"Now" Lorenzo turned to her. "let's get married".

She shifted back. Though she sensed that this one was even more dangerous than Viktor, it didn't mean she was OKAY with being sold TWICE!

"who crashes a wedding and BUYS a wife?" she asked annoyance in her voice.

He gave a killer smile.

"me!" her eyes narrowed then he continued "and honestly you should be glad, it's better you are sold to a hot guy like me than a balding man like him "he nodded towards the entrance.

Natalie flushed. What impudence!

"You–" she wanted to protest further.

He brought out a pistol in one fluid movement shutting her up immediately. He pointed it at her playing with the trigger.

"I'd like a silent wife please " he turned to the minister who had quite surprisingly not moved from his position since this whole charade started. "

"let's redo the vows, my wife here is too, over eager".

The minister needed no further prompting, what could you do when you had a gun pointed at closing range towards you.

"do you Lorenzo De Luca take Natalie Grimaldi to be your lovely wedded wife to love and to cherish for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you both part? "

He gave her a meaningful stare and said. "I do"

"do you Natalie Grimaldi take Lorenzo to be your husband,for better for worse till death do you both part? "

The second time she was asked this question today.

Lorenzo cocked a brow. She was at gunpoint with no form of resistance and was sealing her fate with the devil himself.

"I do " It felt heavier than normal. The minister faced the crowd.

"well, I doubt we will have any objections. You may now kiss the bride"

Natalie panicked. He wasn't actually going to KISS Her!

Pistol in hand he reached for her waist and covered her mouth with the softest of kisses. For a man who looked so tough, he gave kisses so soft and gentle that her toes curled and butterflies sang a strange melody in her tummy.

He released her but didn't let go, holding her a firmly then he turned to her uncle. "My assistant will send the contract over".

Then taking her hand, he led her and she walked into her new life. An unknown life

****

The drive was long.

Natalie sat stiffly in the back of the matte-black SUV, the weight of the wedding gown pressing down on her like a curse. The heavy lace scratched her skin, and the silence from the man beside her-Lorenzo De Luca her captor, her husband-felt more suffocating than any gag. How had she gone from marrying an old millionaire to Being the wife of The devil's son. She didn't know him but she had heard rumors and one thing about rumours were that they were some elements of truth inside them. If Lorenzo was anything that the rumours said he was, then she was in far more danger than she could fathom.

She didn't speak. Neither did he. The drive was cold, stifling even.

The towering gates of the De Luca Estate opened as if obeying a silent command ushering them into the house, ushering her into her new prison.

As they stepped out of the car, servants appeared wordlessly, taking her bags and clearing the way.

"This is where you'll live now," Lorenzo said without looking at her. "Get used to it." He seemed to change personalities easily. One minute he was acting like as if marrying her was such a great achievement the next minute she was invincible. She had expected nothing less though but for a man who took his time to come and claim her , acting like she didn't exist was such a far stretch.

Inside, the marble floors echoed her every step. Art lined the walls-portraits of people with hollow eyes and regal frowns. The air smelled of aged wood, foreign perfumes, and quiet tension.

They didn't get far before someone emerged from the left corridor. Natalie's eyes narrowed and the slender familiar face and body came into view. Tall, poised, eyes like winter steel-

Leila.

Natale's stomach dropped. She looked at Lorenzo. What was Leila doing here?