Prologue: A Deal Sealed in Blood
Alessia Romano, heiress to the Romano crime family, learns of her father's plan to force her into marriage with Matteo De Luca, the feared capo of their rival family. The announcement shocks her, but she is reminded of her family's fragile position—crippled by years of warfare. Her father's demand is clear: marry Matteo, or risk the family's survival.
Meanwhile, Matteo views the marriage as a necessary evil to consolidate power. Yet, when he first lays eyes on Alessia, he recognizes a spirit in her that promises both challenge and danger.
Chapter 1: The Devil's Offer
I hated these dinners. The clink of silverware against fine china, the hum of polite conversation hiding barbed intentions—it was all a façade, a theater of power. Tonight was no different, though the stakes were far higher.
I adjusted the strap of my dress for the hundredth time, trying to suppress the nerves clawing at my chest. My father's sharp whisper cut through my thoughts.
"Alessia, stop fidgeting," he hissed, his dark eyes darting toward the long dining table.
I followed his gaze, my stomach twisting. Matteo De Luca.
He sat at the head of the table, a place of unquestioned authority. The candlelight flickered over his sharp features—an angular jaw, high cheekbones, and eyes so dark they seemed to pierce through the dimly lit room. He wore power like a second skin, his tailored suit only amplifying the intimidating aura that surrounded him.
When his gaze flicked to me, I froze.
"Alessia," my father barked softly, pulling me from my thoughts. "Remember why we're here."
Oh, I remembered. Too well.
The room buzzed with quiet chatter as courses of food were brought out—elaborate dishes that looked more like art than meals. I forced myself to take small bites, though my appetite had abandoned me the moment we walked into the De Luca estate.
I kept my eyes on my plate, hoping to avoid Matteo's attention, but it was futile. I could feel his gaze, heavy and assessing, like he was trying to decide what he could take from me next.
"It's a rare honor to have the Marino family here tonight," Matteo's deep voice broke through the hum of conversation, silencing the room instantly.
I looked up, caught off guard by the smooth timbre of his voice. He was addressing my father, though his eyes briefly flickered to me.
"We're honored by your invitation, Matteo," my father replied, his tone as polished as his shoes.
I clenched my hands under the table, the weight of the unspoken words pressing down on me. Honored? Is that what we called being cornered into a deal with the devil now?
Matteo lifted his glass, a sleek smile curving his lips. "To new beginnings," he said, his voice dripping with command.
"To new beginnings," my father echoed, raising his glass.
I didn't move.
The room shifted, the weight of expectation settling on my shoulders. I felt my father's glare before I even looked his way, but I couldn't bring myself to join the charade.
"You seem reluctant to toast," Matteo said, his voice calm but laced with challenge.
Every head at the table turned to me. The air grew taut, the silence pressing in from all sides. I met Matteo's gaze, determined not to cower.
"You're asking me to celebrate a prison sentence," I said evenly, my voice sharper than the knives on the table. "Forgive me if I don't feel like raising a glass."
The tension in the room shifted, a ripple of unease passing through the guests. My father's face turned a dangerous shade of red, but Matteo… he simply smiled.
"A prison sentence," he repeated, his tone almost amused. "That's an interesting perspective."
I leaned forward slightly, my pulse pounding in my ears. "Is it? You act as though this is some grand alliance, but let's call it what it is—a transaction. One where my value was decided without my input."
Matteo's eyes darkened, but his smile never wavered. "I see the Marino fire runs strong in you."
"Stronger than you'd like, I imagine," I shot back.
The room was deathly quiet, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Matteo set his glass down with deliberate care, his gaze never leaving mine.
"Fire can be dangerous, Alessia," he said softly, his voice carrying a lethal edge. "Beautiful, yes. But uncontrolled, it burns."
"And blades can cut both ways," I replied, my tone just as sharp. "Polished on the outside, lethal within. Isn't that right, Matteo?"
His expression shifted, a flicker of something dark crossing his face. But before he could respond, my father cleared his throat loudly.
"That's enough," he snapped, his voice trembling with barely restrained fury. "Alessia, apologize."
I didn't.
The dinner ended in a strained silence. Guests left quickly, muttering their farewells, though no one dared mention the tension that had crackled through the evening. My father had disappeared to smooth things over with Matteo's father, leaving me alone in the grand hall.
I wandered toward the balcony, desperate for fresh air. The cool night breeze was a welcome relief from the oppressive atmosphere inside.
But I wasn't alone for long.
"Enjoying the view?"
I turned, my heart jumping at the sound of his voice. Matteo stood in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, his gaze steady.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He stepped closer, the shadows of the night seeming to follow him. "You made quite the impression tonight."
"Good," I said defiantly. "I'd hate to be forgettable."
His lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. "You think your rebellion will change anything?"
"I think you enjoy playing the part of the puppet master," I shot back. "But I'm not one of your strings to pull."
Matteo's expression hardened, and he took another step closer, his presence overwhelming. "You're in my world now, Alessia. Your rebellion is amusing, but it won't change the terms of our deal."
I crossed my arms, refusing to back down. "You may have my father's agreement, but you'll never have my loyalty."
For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze boring into mine. Then he smiled, though it was more like a warning than a gesture of amusement.
"We'll see," he said softly, his voice a dark promise.
And then he was gone, leaving me alone under the weight of the night, his words lingering like a threat.
That was the moment I realized just how dangerous Matteo De Luca truly was.