Bloodstained Vow

Sienna's POV

The air in my father's study was thick with the scent of cigars and deception. I stood before his mahogany desk, arms crossed, as he swirled a glass of whiskey in his hand. The dim light from the chandelier above cast long shadows across his face, making his features look even more severe.

You're marrying Luca Valentino. The words crashed into me like a bullet to the chest.

I stiffened, my nails digging into my palms. He said it so casually, as if he were discussing the weather. As if my life wasn't about to be handed over to a man whose name alone sent shivers down the spines of grown men.

Luca Valentino "IL Diavolo" Cold, Calculated and Ruthless.

The man who had murdered my uncle in broad daylight without a single ounce of hesitation.

I forced my face to remain blank. Showing weakness in front of my father was like bleeding in a pool of sharks. But inside, my mind was already spiraling, grasping for a way out. No, my voice was steady, but my pulse thundered in my ears.

My father sighed, as if my refusal was merely an inconvenience. He took a slow sip of his whiskey before leveling me with a bored look. This isn't a negotiation, Sienna.

I swallowed hard. You expect me to marry the man who slaughtered our blood? My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't care. Let him see my anger. Let him feel it.

He set his glass down with a quiet clink, his expression unreadable. Your uncle was a liability. Heat rushed to my face, he was family.

He was weak, my father said simply. And in our world, weakness is death.

My stomach churned, a mix of fury and dread twisting inside me. He wasn't just forcing me into an arranged marriage, he was handing me over to a man who had spilled our family's blood.

Why him? I demanded, my nails digging deeper into my skin.

My father leaned back in his chair, regarding me as though I were a child throwing a tantrum. Because alliances keep empires standing, he said. Luca is the most powerful man in this business, having you at his side secures our future.

I let out a cold, bitter laugh. Our future? Or yours?

A flicker of something, annoyance maybe passed through his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Luca needs a wife, you need a husband and it's done.

I shook my head. I'd rather die. His expression didn't change, but the air in the room shifted a warning or a reminder. Then he said the words that made my blood run cold.

Then you'd be of no use to me. The finality in his tone was suffocating. My father had never been the kind to raise his voice. He didn't need to. His power lay in his ability to make people fear him with just a look, a word, a decision.

And in this moment, I realized something with horrifying clarity. I wasn't his daughter. I was his pawn.

Tears burned the back of my eyes, but I refused to shed them. Not here, not in front of him. Instead, I forced my chin up, meeting his gaze with defiance.

Fine, I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I'll marry him.

But I wouldn't be his obedient little bride. I would fight Luca Valentino at every turn.

Luca's POV

The rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound in my office as I leaned back in my chair, a cigarette burning between my fingers. Across from me, my second-in-command, Dante Romano, placed a file on my desk. Sienna Alejandro, he said, his voice even.

I flicked my gaze to the folder but didn't open it. I already knew who she was.

The daughter of Alessandro Alejandro. The woman I was being forced to marry.

Go on, I said, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.

She's sharp and stubborn. Hates her father as much as she fears him. Dante paused, and she despises you.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. I expected as much.

Hatred was something I understood. Something I thrived on. But hatred wouldn't save her. It wouldn't change a damn thing.

I reached for the file and flipped it open, my eyes scanning the picture clipped to the first page. Sienna Alejandro, dark brown hair, striking green eyes, a face that belonged to someone born into wealth and privilege but there was a fire behind her gaze. One that told me she wouldn't bend easily.

Good, I had no interest in a weak wife.

She's not going to make this easy for you, Dante added.

I chuckled, closing the file. She doesn't have to.

Marriage was nothing more than a transaction in our world. Love was a weakness, one I had no use for. This was about power, about ensuring my empire remained untouchable. If this alliance kept my enemies at bay, I would do it.

Alessandro wants the wedding done quickly, Dante continued. Says she's... resistant.

Let her resist, I murmured, standing and crushing the cigarette in the ashtray.

Dante watched me carefully. What are you planning?

I met his gaze, my smirk widening. She'll come to understand soon enough.

In two days, Sienna Alejandro would be my wife.

And whether she liked it or not, she would belong to me.

Sienna's POV

I had imagined my wedding day a hundred different ways. But never like this.

Never in a gilded cage, never with chains disguised as lace.

The mirror in front of me reflected a stranger dressed in delicate white silk, her face carved from stone. The dress fit perfectly, tailored to perfection, but it felt like a noose tightening around my ribs.

I lifted my hands, staring at the diamond-studded engagement ring on my finger. It was beautiful, flawless, and expensive everything a girl should want. But on me, it felt like a shackle.

I tried to breathe, but the walls of the bridal suite seemed to be closing in. The chandelier overhead, the velvet curtains, and the ornate gold-framed mirrors they were suffocating. This was not a wedding, this was a funeral. My funeral.

A knock at the door made my stomach twist.

I didn't turn as it opened, but I felt his presence before he spoke.

It's time.

My father's voice was smooth and calculated. I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat.

You're making a mistake, I said, my voice cold.

He chuckled softly, stepping inside. I could see his reflection in the mirror, his sharp suit perfectly pressed, and his face unreadable. You'll thank me for it one day.

I turned to face him, my chin lifted. I'll never thank you for this.

He stepped closer, his dark eyes gleaming. Luca is a powerful man. You will be his wife, his queen. He paused, don't embarrass me.

My nails dug into my palms. I'd rather burn in hell. A slow, cruel smile spread across his lips.

Then you'll fit right in with your husband.

I held my ground as he walked past me, pausing at the door. Now smile, figlia mia he murmured you're about to become a Valentino.

The door shut behind him with a quiet click. And I was alone.

Luca's POV

The church was a cathedral of gold and blood. Candlelight flickered against the high ceilings, illuminating the faces of men who had built their empires on power and violence. The pews were filled with enemies dressed as allies, each of them watching, waiting, and waiting to see if Sienna Alejandro would break.

I stood at the altar, my hands folded in front of me, exuding the calm of a man who had already won, because I had.

The Alejandro princess was about to belong to me.

Dante stood at my side, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp as they swept the room. She's late, he murmured. She's stalling, I replied.

Dante let out a quiet chuckle. Think she'll run? I smirked, she wouldn't get far.

The murmur of voices hushed as the heavy church doors groaned open.

My gaze lifted, and there she was, Sienna Alejandro.

She stepped forward, her father at her side, a vision of ice and fire. Her white silk dress clung to her curves, delicate yet lethal, like a blade hidden beneath lace. Dark waves of hair cascaded down her back, her face unreadable beneath the sheer veil.

But it was her eyes that caught me. Emerald green, burning with fury.

She didn't look at me.

She held herself with quiet defiance, her fingers clutching the bouquet like she wanted to crush it. There was no trembling, no tears, and no sign of submission, only anger.

My lips curled, well.

She reached the altar, and her father placed her hand in mine. Her skin was ice-cold, but her grip was strong.

She finally met my gaze, and for a moment, the world around us faded.

If you expect me to kneel, Il Diavolo, she whispered, voice laced with venom, you'll be waiting forever.

I tightened my grip on her fingers, leaning in slightly.

Careful, dolcezza I murmured back, my voice a dark promise hell has room for two.

She didn't flinch.

The priest cleared his throat, beginning the ceremony.

But I didn't take my eyes off her.

By the end of today, Sienna Alejandro would be my wife.

And there was no way out.

Sienna's POV

The vows had been spoken and the rings exchanged. The kiss a cold brush of lips that barely lasted a second.

Now, I was alone with him.

The inside of the car was silent, filled only with the low hum of the engine and the weight of the inevitable. I kept my gaze locked on the window, watching the city lights blur as we left behind everything I had ever known.

I should have been terrified. Instead, I was furious.

I had spent my whole life under my father's control, but this? This was the cruelest betrayal of all.

The car rolled to a stop. A cold breath of wind slipped through the open door as the driver stepped out to open it for me.

I didn't move. Not until I heard his door open, the weight of his presence shifting as he stepped out.

I forced myself to move, heels clicking against the pavement as I lifted my gaze.

The mansion before me was breathtaking in the worst way.

Dark stone, towering walls, and a wrought-iron gate that looked more like the entrance to a prison than a home. The structure was elegant, but the air around it was heavy yet suffocating.

I didn't need to step inside to know that happiness had never lived here.

Luca didn't offer his hand. Didn't even glance at me.

He simply strode forward, expecting me to follow.

I didn't.

I stood frozen, arms crossed, letting the icy wind bite at my skin.

His steps slowed. He turned just enough to meet my gaze, his expression unreadable.

I'm not some pet you can drag inside, I said, voice sharp.

Something flickered in his dark eyes, amusement.

No, dolcezza, His voice was smooth, but there was steel beneath it you're my wife.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run.

Instead, I forced my feet to move, my legs stiff as I followed him inside.

The mansion was worse on the inside.

It was beautiful, yes towering ceilings, elegant chandeliers, halls lined with priceless paintings but it was empty and cold.

A place built for war, not love.

My stomach twisted.

I had grown up surrounded by power, but at least my childhood home had held warmth, however false it had been.

But here? There was nothing, just silence.

A staff of people stood in the grand foyer, their eyes carefully lowered as Luca removed his jacket and handed it off without a word.

He didn't introduce me didn't acknowledge the way the staff subtly glanced at me before returning to their duties.

I wasn't important enough. Heat flooded my veins.

Fine.

If he wanted to treat me like nothing more than a pawn, then I would play the part.

But he would regret it.

Luca's POV

She thought she could fight me. I had seen defiance before, but Sienna Alejandro was different.

She didn't cower, didn't let fear guide her movements.

She stood at the edge of the driveway like a queen refusing to kneel, chin tilted, eyes burning with the same hatred I had seen in men who wanted me dead.

I should have been annoyed.

Instead, I was intrigued.

I turned without a word and stepped inside.

Seconds later, the sharp click of her heels followed.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips.

She could hate me all she wanted.

She had still followed.

The house was silent as we walked through the halls. I could feel her eyes moving over every detail, cataloging, analyzing and looking for weaknesses.

I led her upstairs, stopping in front of our bedroom.

She hesitated in the doorway.

Her gaze swept over the space dark, modern, luxurious but then her eyes landed on the bed.

Her body went rigid. There's only one, she said, voice tight.

I leaned against the frame watching her, observant I said.

She turned to glare at me. I want another room.

No, her jaw clenched excuse me?

I pushed off the frame, stepping into her space. Not touching, not threatening just reminding her who was in control.

You will sleep in this room, I said, my voice calm. Whether you like it or not.

Her hands curled into fists. I will never be yours.

I tilted my head, studying her.

She was lying.

Maybe she believed it. Maybe she wanted it to be true.

But I saw the way her pulse skipped in her throat.

The way she swallowed too quickly.

The way she refused to look at the bed again.

Then why do you look so afraid? I murmured.

Her breath hitched.

For just a second, something flickered in her gaze something raw. Something vulnerable. Then it was gone.

She turned on her heel and stormed past me, heading for the closet.

I let her go.

She thought she had won this round.

But she had no idea.

This wasn't a battle.

It was a war.

And she had already lost.