The sound of gunfire rattles through the air, my hair damp with sweat as I focus intently on the target ahead. My grip tightens around the cold metal of the gun, the recoil jarring but strangely satisfying. Even with the headphones muffling the noise, the silence between each shot feels deafening, an oddly comforting reprieve in the chaos of my life.The skin of my palms is raw from countless rounds, but I still can't bring myself to put on the leather gloves. The sensation, the vibration of the gun, the sharp kick against my hand is grounding. The pain is a reminder of control, a feeling I crave in a world where it often slips through my fingers.But, as always, my moment of peace is interrupted."Miss." My assistant, Galen, calls out to me, his tone insistent. I've ignored him twice already, but the sharp edge in his voice tells me I can't afford to this time. With a reluctant sigh, I put the pistol down and pulled off the headphones."Finally," Galen mutters, relief evident as I move toward him."Don't get too happy," I reply, taking the towel he offers and wiping the sweat from my face. "I only stopped because I want to know if there's any information about her.""Nope," he says, flipping through a stack of papers. "Everything seems to be moving smoothly on Graves's side." Still, there's a flicker of hesitation in his expression."What's with the look?" I ask, narrowing my gaze at him as I toss the towel aside."Just..." He pauses, clearly weighing his words. "Why are you so interested in a woman like her? I know it's not just about the money.""Do you want the truth?" I ask, my tone even as I meet his curious stare."Yes." The word is cautious and hesitant, but I can see his need for answers."I need a wife to inherit the Valentine Dynasty properly," I say lazily as if the weight of the statement doesn't press heavily on my shoulders. "Someone expendable, someone I can't fall in love with."The words taste bitter on my tongue, but they're true. I say them with conviction, even as memories of Onelia Romero surface unbidden. The moment her eyes locked onto mine, her hands gripping my wrist to stop me from pulling the trigger on her father, then it hit. That same jolt, that same adrenaline rush I get when I squeeze the trigger.Unless it's just my exhaustion playing tricks on me. Balancing college, my role in the mafia, and my father's impossible expectations have left me frayed."It's shocking how her dad's shooting came up so conveniently," Galen remarks, his voice breaking through my thoughts. It's a dry observation, but it manages to ease some of the tension coiled in my chest."How did her father end up in that state?" I ask as we walk toward the exit of the training room."A gunshot to the side," Galen answers, flipping through the stack of documents in his hand."We need more on the Romero family and anyone targeting them," I instruct sharply, my voice cutting through the air. I sigh, muttering under my breath, "I hope this woman is worth all this trouble."Galen nods, and I leave him behind, making my way to my room to shower and prepare for the next relentless wave of responsibilities.Hours later, I find myself back in yet another meeting room. The higher-ups drone on about marketing strategies and expansion plans, their words blending into a monotonous hum. Boredom weighs on me like a shroud, but I endure it, knowing this is just a mask for our real operations.The Valentine enterprise by day is a legitimate business, a corporate juggernaut in marketing and development. But by night, we are something else entirely. We are the underworld. The Mafia. Two worlds, one empire. Our reach extends across states, across continents-Italy, Bali, Greece. No one dares challenge us.And yet, even with all that power, my father insists on one condition before he passes the title of head to me: I must find a wife. To outsiders, it seems simple. But for me, a woman who is intersex, finding someone who fits my needs is far from easy.Love isn't an option. Neither is leaving. Onelia Romero is my answer. She's bound to me with no way out, no chance of attachment. Just a means to secure my future without the complications of emotions.The meeting finally concludes, and I rise, my movements slow and deliberate as I nod at the others. "Until next time," I say, feigning professionalism.As the room clears, my phone buzzes. Ring...Ring.My phone buzzes in the pocket of my pants, and I pull it out to see Asher's name flashing on the screen. I answer the call, already knowing what to expect."Hello, what's up?""Gio!" Asher shouts, as usual, his voice carrying the same energy as always. I don't even flinch anymore; it's just part of the routine when picking up a call from him."Yes, what seems to be the problem, Asher?""So, the three of us heard there's a huge party happening tomorrow night, and we're planning to attend. Would you like to join us?"I raise an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. "So you're going to come all the way from Sigil in Dubai to Los Angeles to go where?""Las Vegas!" He cheers, and I can hear the rest of them shouting in the background. "We're already on our way," he adds, excitement clear in his tone.It's tomorrow and though I'm dreading a drink now, the thought of seeing them again lifts my mood. It's only been a week since I've been off college, but partying with those guys is always a good time."Alright, I'll be there. You guys can stay at one of the hotels I own," I reply, not missing a beat.Their cheers erupt in unison, and I can practically hear their grins. "You still have to pay though," I add, smirking as their excitement suddenly drops.I laugh, ending the call. "Tomorrow huh?" I whisper leaning my head back on the chair. "One day before I get my answer."