THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE

THIS WAS IT.

The day I would be delivered and given as a sacrificial lamb to my father's enemies. They claimed it was a pact- a ritual that had been going on for generations upon generations as a way to siphon our family businesses. I called it modern slavery. Somehow it felt the 1500's where daughters were pimped out to spouses old enough to be their daughters or granddaughters. Which made me scared because I had no idea who I was betrothed to. What kind of man was he? What did he look like? Would I even be attracted to him?

Those questions I didn't have the answer to, but what I knew was that I was officially signing off my happiness in exchange for my father to live happily. I hated that I had to do all these, but I had no choice.

"Remember, Ariadne," Mom said with feigned excitement. She was not a good actress; I could read her like an open book and I wished she stopped trying. For both our sakes. "Marriage to the Russos is something everyone in this society is dying for. They are a family of power and influential wealth. Can you imagine how many doors would be open for us? It's a dream of every average family. Believe me."

The only door that would be open would be that of a psychiatric ward, or the prison cells because I was sure of one thing: either I fought until I murdered someone, or he would finally break me hence admitting me to a ward. None of those options were appealing though.

I could taste the bile in my throat and I swallowed it as I faked a smile at Mom through the full-length mirror, and then nodded.

She seemed pleased with my immediate compliance because she grinned, tucking a strand of stubborn hair behind my ear.

"Do you know him?" I finally mustered the courage to ask. "The man to whom I'll be betrothed to, I mean. I heard Valeria and Anna talking about how the Russos are ruthless and... I don't know... what is he like? What does he look like?"

I hoped he wasn't a beast. I'd read the Beauty and the Beast and let me tell you, it was only romantic on paper. No one actually wanted a beast. I know I didn't.

"Oh, Santiago is not bad at all. It's his Uncle you should be worried about. Ruthless, merciless and a killer, everyone is scared of him," Mom told me with a sigh. "Thankfully, you were not given to him. If it were him, I would have gone through the ends of the world to ensure you weren't bonded to that beast for eternity."

Then what's stopping you from going through the ends of the world now, Mom? I wanted to ask, but bit my tongue.

It was no secret that my mother was a coward and a follower. She loved my father to a fault and his words were always final. Luckily, I'd inherited my stubborn streak from my father. I was as stubborn as they come, and father always told me I wouldn't be able to survive in their world.

"All done," Mom finally announced. "My daughter is the most beautiful girl in our society."

I wasn't. Valentina was, with her doll like features, except raven hair that fell down her back in long waves. She was a stunner, and anyone who said she wasn't was simply a H–A–T–E–R.

"We should get going. We wouldn't want to keep our guests waiting."

I gave her a small smile. "I doubt they are waiting down for me. Party goes on either way."

Mom grinned, lightly pinching my cheek. "You really have no idea how this settings go."

"Because you and Dad have always kept me away from Society business," I retorted.

"Now that is changing."

With one glance at the mirror, I captured my last look and seemingly contented with what I was seeing, I walked out of my from with Mom.

With each step I took, I could feel bits of my freedom leave. What was I to expect the moment I went down there? Would Santiago be happy with what he saw? Would I be happy? What was my future look like from tomorrow? Again, I had no answer to those questions.

The party was in full swing. People- men and women of different caliber stood in the ballroom, having chats, some dancing to the slow music, some drinking, some bored to death by their expressions. My eyes wandered to the full room, and as my eyes met each man I felt was single, I wondered if he was my betrothed.

"Santiago isn't here yet," Mom informed me in my ear. " He's set to arrive with his Uncle, but something came up."

My face fell. What could be more important than this night? "Oh," was all I said before turning back to the crowd. Mom soon left me alone to talk to a friend if hers and I scanned the crowd in search of my best friend Georgina and I was deflated when I didn't see her.

Georgina hated this kinds of functions, and I didn't blame her. I wish I could have declined my own engagement. It would have been thrilling and fun to watch.

"Aria?"

My heart skipped a beat at that voice and the way he said my name. There was only one person who called me that...

"Matt," I whispered before I turned to meet his overpowering blue eyes. "What are you doing here?" I managed to ask, lost in his eyes.

"I came to see you for the last time, before, you know..." he gestured to the room. His eyes held me captive as he studied me and I hated that he had the power to trap me with his gaze. "You look sad."

I rolled my eyes, fighting a tear at his words. "Well thanks, Captain Obvious. Tell me you wouldn't be sad if you were going to be sold off to a man who came from the Mafia, and his family known to be ruthless."

He winced at my words. "Shit, you're right. That came out wrong. I..." he ran a hand through his hair. "How are you doing?"

"I'll be better." I shrugged. "I guess I should be thankful, I'm not being sold the greatest evil, right?"

"Yeah," he offered me a sad smile. "Like Luca Russo. His Uncle - or should I say small Uncle. I mean he's only nine years older than him."

Great. Everyone knew everything about my fiance except me. Good move, Mom and Dad.

"So..." I moved closer to him. "What are the Russos like?"

He scoffed. "Formidable beyond comprehension. That's the better description for them. They are the gods in this Society. Billionaires too. But I guess their virtue is the fact that they value justice."

I don't know if Matt was trying to make me feel better, but I did. At Leary they had a good streak to them.

"That's good... for me, I guess."

Matt nodded in agreement. "Yeah. So..." he started after a beat of silence. "You wanna... uhhh... get outta here for a sec to somewhere maybe private?"

The way he asked that, so unsure, so desperate, like we didn't share some kind of connection (still do), but fate had resigned us to a whole new different destiny. Now we were strangers with memories.

"Yeah, I..." I nodded and cleared my throat once. I was about to answer to that, to decline and tell him it was unnecessary now as I belonged to another.

I didn't know a lot about this tradition but I knew the dos and don'ts with debutantes. The first rule was that we were to remain untouched until our wedding night. Virgins had higher chances of being married. Non virgins simply implied you were defiled and stained and orchestrated from the society. Your family became a thing of mockery and so parents ensured their daughters adhered to the rules.

Following Matt to "somewhere private" was a bad move because I wasn't sure what might happen. We both liked each other but we never gave in to our carnal feelings because we knew we were never meant to be. He was the son of a guard, I was an elite. Well, middle class to most elites, but nevertheless...

"I don't think that's a good-"

As if on cue the hallway door swung open and everyone's heads swiveled to the direction, the room immediately going silent, and time stopping. Or was it me?

I wasn't someone that got surprised easily, nor did I get starstruck. My best friend used to say it was like I had a heart of ice. So, when the hunk of a man in a charcoal suit that seemed tailor made for him walked into the room, tall and imposing, domineering, full with power, my jaw dropped at the sight in front of me.

Was this my fiance? The man I was supposed to marry? Was this the Santiago Russo... the-

"Luca Russo," Matt told me beside me and my heart dropped immediately as it leaped at the information. This was the Luca, the one everyone said was ruthless? He exuded power and dominance, and I should have known it couldn't have been Santiago. "God, I always seem to forget how much power he imposes. Wait... shouldn't his nephew be here with him?"

I was too busy ogling him - the Luca Russo- that I'd forgotten about the man I should be searching for. The man I was supposedly marrying soon.

"Maybe something came up," I told him the same words mother told me, not bothering to look at him hence he saw the disappointment in my eyes.

Was this what my married life would be like? Be with a man who didn't care about me? How many times would he avoid me with the "something came up" excuses. This marriage was doomed before it even started.

I watched as Luca walked up to my parents who were in the midst of other elites, and their eyes lit up on seeing him. He said something to them, and then him, Dad and Mom excused themselves, moving to a distance. I was curious and concerned when I saw Dad and mom's faces fall at something he told them. Dad however seemed to catch him quick, and his gaze flickered to mine before turning to Mom.

I furrowed my brows in concern. What was happening?

"Is something wrong?" Matt nodded and I shook my head. "Not sure," I said as Mom made her way to me with a smile that I knew was forced.

"Ariadne, darling," she said in a feigned happy tone. "If your friend would excuse us, there is something we both have to discuss."

"What? Where's Santiago?" She hooked her hands around my arm, not bothering to answer me as she dragged me along with her.

Luca's gaze swept through my body in a bored way as I made my way to them. I didn't need a fortune teller to tell me this man already hated me. Before he even knew me.

"Shall we, Mr. Russo?" Dad asked in a businesslike tone. Uh–oh. This wasn't good. At all. When Dad was all business and stuff, it meant there was trouble or trouble brewing.

"With pleasure," Luca answered, his tone matching his bored look. He glanced at me, except this time it was with an indecipherable look. "After you ladies."

Mom unceremoniously dragged me by the arm as my legs threatened to give out. I could feel lasers in the back of my head and it made my hairs stand. I wondered what got everyone acting strangely, and knowing my fate, it seemed it had to do with me.

I was Ariadne Moretti after all. I never seemed to catch a break.

The answers to my unspoken question came forty minutes later after hushed whispers by the door with Mom, Dad and the devil( I was calling him that in my head, sue me), and never in a million years did I think that was the answer.

"What?" I shrieked in disbelief. "No. No way. I'm not doing it."

"We don't have a choice, Ariadne," Dad reminded me yet again since we walked into his home office. "Today was supposed to be your engagement, but it seems Santiago has... Heavens, how do I even say this?"

"That he is a cheat who got the woman he's been sleeping with pregnant?" I sufficed.

"Ariadne!" Mom admonished. "Language. And not in front of your fiance."

I scoffed. "This is ridiculous! And stupid, and unfair. You can't do this to me!"

I was not unaware of the fact that Luca sat in Dad's swivel chair like he owned the place, quiet and attentive. I could also feel his glare directed at me, but I didn't care. I refused to be tossed around like a rag doll. Given to this person and then passed on the next Russo as everyone seemed fit.

"That is enough, Ariadne!" Dad yelled, slamming his fist on the shelf. I started from the sound, and looked at his angry form. I'd never seen my father this angry before. This was a first. I guess he really wanted to be rid of me that much, huh? "You will do as I say. My word is final. From tonight, you are engaged to Luca Russo, and that is final."

"No..." tears started to well up in my eyes.

Warm hands gripped my shoulder and I looked over at my mother who was defenseless to help. "Aria, darling, think of this. Luca isn't such a bad choice. He is powerful and just and he will take care of you."

"But my heart doesn't want him," I argued with a sob.

She smiled bitterly. "Since when has the heart ever done the right thing? It's selfish and wants what it wants. Never what is good for you."

"That's not... true ," I hiccuped. Mom always told me to follow my heart and my heart had never been wrong before. Now wasn't going to be any different.

"Yes it is," she argued back. "So, now we are going to do the right thing. We are going to do what's right for us. You are going to marry a powerful man who would take care and respect you. He has no choice." Mom finished with a glare at Luca who snorted a laugh at her words.

At least he was the devil I knew and he didn't try to pretend he was anything but. At least I knew what to expect.

"If this theatrics is over," Luca growled from behind me. I heard him stand to his feet. "I'll be well on my way."

Mom raised a brow at him. "You don't acquire money and power by lazying around. Duties must be fulfilled, a few blood shed..." he trailed off, a satisfied smile playing on his lips when he saw the fear in my face.

"You are-"

"Dangerous? Formidable? Ruthless?" He chuckled. "Why, I am all of the above and more. I hope our alliances doesn't make you forget it."

The room was silent. Pin drop silence. I could feel everyone's fear. I could feel his imposing power.

"Of course, Mr. Russo," Dad answered for us, offering a hand to him.

Luca nodded at him returning the handshake. They stared each other down for what felt like eternity before breaking the handshake. He looked me over, a smile on his face now as he said the words, "see you around, future wive," before he left the around, leaving behind his threat, powerful air, and the uncertainty in my future.

"What? What do you mean you're now engaged to Luca Russo?" My best friend Georgina asked over the phone.

It had been six days since the ordeal in form of a hunk of a man barged into my life. Four days since Dad locked me up in my room, thankfully with my phone and TV, although I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I'd just mustered up the courage today to call Georgina and deliver the tragic news.

I nodded even though she couldn't see me. "It's true, Georgie. I'm even surprised the news hasn't flown around. News sure does flies around in this society."

"Urggh, tell me about it," she groaned. "Remember when Gianna got pregnant by her bodyguard? No one would stop talking about it for years."

"I know right?" Gianna was a topic five years ago. Parents warned their daughters not to be like her. She was a prime example of what not to do as an elite, and a ridicule to her family. I felt sorry for her, but it seemed in our world, you could never want who you wanted.

"So, what are you going to do now?" She squealed. "Don't tell me. You plan on eloping with Matt, don't you?" She laughed, earning an eye roll from me.

"Like I could ever. And we both know Matt would never do that. If I did, his family's lives would be at stake. We can't do that to each other." I heaved a sigh. "Besides, we already agreed to go our separate ways."

"Doesn't mean it can't still happen," she argued. I started to berate her when she finally dropped the issue. "Fine! This is reality, and I shouldn't be here wishing it could be like my dreams, but... don't you sometimes wish you were born in a different place? With different beliefs and all? Other girls get to choose who they want while we are offered in a platter of gold to whomever our parents or the society think is better for us."

"Or as an atonement for whatever mistakes our parents made in the past," I supplied and she heaved a sigh. "Yeah, that too."

"Well, I do wish it too, but there's nothing we can do about it," I confessed. "That's why I've accepted my fate. I am getting married to Luca Russo and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Well, my thoughts and prayers. You sure as hell are going to need it."

"Gianna stop swearing," I chastised, but a laugh bubbled out of my chest. "Girls don't do that."

"I'm not like you girls. I move in my own direction."

We both shared a laugh and then talked about other things. I wasn't even married yet, and I already missed Gianna. What more if I finally got to my prison?

A thought came to mind. What if Luca Russo restricted me from a whole lot of things? What if he orchestrated me from the world? Would I be just a sex slave to him? A baby machine? Would he be faithful?

I immediately pushed the last thought from my head. I didn't care if he would be. In fact, if I had a way to make a deal with him to have as many women as he liked without the requirement of warming his bed, I sure would. Although, after our encounter last time, I doubted he was a man who appreciated being told what to do.

I sighed. How did my life get to this? It was easier knowing Santiago was the man I would be married to. At least he didn't have a ruthless reputation. I should have known life would simply not let me catch a break.

With these thoughts in my head, I slowly let sleep engulf me into its warm embrace, and offer me its comfort.

I didn't stir until I felt hands shaking my shoulder and when my eyes fluttered open, I made direct eye contact with Mom's concerned gaze.

"You never take a nap, Ariadne," she observed. "Are you feeling under the weather?"

I wanted so badly to go off on her. Accuse her and Dad of being terrible parents, but I bit the accusations back and instead mumbled, "it was either sleep or subject myself to an eternity rest."

She glowered at me, seemingly understanding what I meant. "That's not a good thing to say, Ariadne!"

"Wishful thinking," I whispered with a shrug. I caught the box she was holding with my eyes and looked up at her. "What's that?" I pointed with my chin at the box.

She raised the box, staring at it like she hadn't known she was holding it. "This? Your future husband Luca Russo's assistant dropped by this afternoon to give you this. He said he wants you wearing it for the party next week." She grinned like a Hyena and I wanted to smack that smile off her face.

How was it that she couldn't see what was wrong here? Her daughter being sold off to a man who didn't even value her enough to show up with the ring by himself and put it on her? His assistant? Hell no. I was young, but I wasn't stupid.

I sat up from my bed, grabbing my phone ( I always took it with me everywhere. It was like my other best friend) feeling very defiant. "Well then, I guess you'll have to call his assistant and tell him that I'm not putting this ring on."

"What?"

I started making my way to the bathroom ignoring her shock. I guess I'd been the obedient child, but did they really think I was stupid to go along with this circus they were slowly turning my life into?

"Ariadne, now is not the time to unleash your stubborn streak," she reminded me. "Luca Russo is-"

I turned sharply, cutting her off. "A formidable man. Ruthless, murderous. I know that, Mom. And still I choose to not take the ring. What's the worse that can happen? He's going to kill me?" I snorted at that. I wouldn't mind that. At all.

Without waiting for a response, I made my way to the bathroom and locked the door behind me.

Wheew! I guess that wasn't so bad. Maybe it was high time I showed them who I was, that I was a person with feelings too. Maybe then they'd take me seriously.

I sat on the toilet seat, alternating between shooting my friends texts and watching videos on TikTok. I don't know how much time passed, and when I glanced at my phone clock, I winced on how long I'd been here. It was almost thirty minutes until dinner. How had I lost track of time?

Standing, my butt protesting from the position I'd been in for hours, I made my way to the door and unlocked it. With a quick sweep of the half lit room with my eyes, I smiled when I saw the room was empty.

I stepped away from the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I was surprised Dad hadn't barged into my room and yelled at me for my disobedience, but I guess they were shocked that I -

"Going somewhere?"

I yelped in fright at the sound of the voice behind me, spinning on my heels and wielding my phone as a weapon. Pathetic really.

"I've been waiting for you for... almost an hour now, future wive."

My heart skipped a beat and then beat faster at that reference. Future wive. I recognized that deadly, bored voice before the man came out of the shadows, looking like sin.

And I just knew.

I was fucked.