Chapter 1
Everyone in the city knew one rule:
Never cross Nickolas De Luca.
People whispered his name like it was a warning. The youngest mafia boss to ever control the East Side. Ruthless. Untouchable. A man who always got what he wanted.
I never imagined our paths would cross.
And I never imagined he'd demand that I become his wife.
It began with three slow knocks on my apartment door.
I frowned as I looked through the peephole. Two men in black suits stood outside, expressionless.
Cautiously, I opened the door.
"Miss Aria Bennett?"
"Yes?"
"Our boss would like to speak with you."
"I think you have the wrong person."
"No," one of them replied calmly. "We're exactly where we're supposed to be."
Before I could answer, a deep, commanding voice came from the hallway.
"Step aside."
The men immediately moved.
A tall man in a tailored black suit walked toward me with effortless confidence. His dark eyes were unreadable, and every step he took made the air feel heavier.
Nickolas De Luca.
The man everyone feared.
He stopped in front of me.
"You've been difficult to find."
"I wasn't hiding."
"No," he said with the faintest smile. "You just didn't know I was looking."
I folded my arms.
"What do you want?"
His gaze never wavered.
"A marriage."
I stared at him before letting out a short laugh.
"That's supposed to be funny?"
"I'm not joking."
The smile disappeared from my face.
"I don't even know you."
"You will."
"I'm not marrying a stranger."
His expression remained calm.
"Then get to know me."
"And if I say no?"
For the first time, something dangerous flashed in his eyes.
"You'll soon realize..." he said quietly, "...that saying no isn't your safest option."
A chill ran down my spine.
The storm outside rumbled as I gripped the edge of the door.
My life had been ordinary five minutes ago.
Now, the most feared man in the city was standing on my doorstep, asking for my hand in marriage.
And somehow...
I knew this was only the beginning.
