Prologue 

 Demetria Age 13

 Demetria's eyes fluttered open, her heart racing as she clutched her favorite stuffed animal. The cold hands of the darkness seeped into her room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Her mother, Sophia knelt beside her bed gently brushing a strand of hair behind Demetria's ear.

" It's okay baby, don't cry mommy has to go , but you'll be safe here." Sofia whispered, her voice trembling.

Demetria's voice cracked. " Where are you going mommy?"

Sophia's eyes darted around the room as though she was looking for a way to escape. " To take care of things sweetie you'll understand when you're older."

Demetria's grip on her stuffed animal tightened " But why can't I come with you?"

Sophia's face contoured with sadness.

" Because baby, you're safer here. Your father wouldn't want you involved and you have Liam here to take care of you."

Demetria's mind wandered to her brother Liam whom she loved so much, at least Liam would stay with her she thought.

Sophia leaned in, her whisper urgent.

" Never trust the ones you love, Demetria. They'll hurt you the most"

As Sophia vanished into the night, Demetria's cries could be heard echoing in the night.

 Alejandro age 19

The same night in a mansion across Town, Alejandro's world shifted forever. His brother Lucian refused his father's order to marry Khloe, the daughter of the American Mafia.

The tension in the room was suffocating as Alejandro took deep breaths hoping to reduce some of the tension. The smell of cigarettes wafted around the room as their father Gonzalo Mariano killed the cigarette on the ashtray.

" You will do what I say, and you will marry Khloe" Gonzalo Mariano said, leaning over the table.

Lucian's jaw set, his eyes flashing with anger and determination." I want nothing to do with her".

Gonzalo thundered, his voice echoing through the mansion " I do not care, or is this because of that Russian wh-"

" Watch what you say father" Lucian seethed his eyes reflecting the fury he felt.

Gonzalo Mariano who knew what Lucian was capable of decided not to complete what he was about to say. Lucian had been trained all his life to take over the mafia legacy.

Lucian's jaw set " I won't betray my love for power"

Gonzalo's face twisted in anger " you're no longer the heir, Alejandro will take your place "

Alejandro's world shifted. He was thrust into the dark world of the mafia, engaged to a woman he'd never met.

" Father, I-"

Gonzalo's gaze cut him off " you'll marry Khloe and secure our family's dominance "

Alejandro's world swirled, he was now the chose

n heir, bound to the life he never wanted.