Chapter 0002

Dominic POV

Pulling a crisp white button up shirt out of the closet and throwing it over his shoulders, Dominic’s hands worked quickly to pull it on and button up the front of it. The room still smelled like that woman—floral and something slightly spicy. A scent he couldn’t help but draw deep into his lungs.

She’d gotten away from him without giving him her number. That had been a first.

Being rejected by a woman, especially after the kind of sex they had last night, annoyed him. But only temporary. He’d get her back in his bed one way or another, it was only a matter of time.

A measured knock echoed across the penthouse, following the opening of the front door. He didn’t need to turn around to see who it was—Romero, his most trusted Made man, was always punctual.

“Good morning,” he greeted, settling himself just inside the doorway, both hands tucked behind his back.

This penthouse had been Dominic’s residence for weeks now. A fortress in the heart of the city bought by him after finally having enough of living under the same roof as his father. The security cameras were looped, the staff downstairs paid off, and every exit mapped and accounted for on the off-chance enemies were to come crawling out of the woodwork.

He owned every person that walked in and out of the building whether they knew it or not.

“Has my father confirmed he’s getting married yet?” Dominic asked, grabbing a pair of cufflinks off of the dresser close to him.

“Yes. The Giovanni family has agreed to the arrangement. The wedding is set for a month and a half from now. Are you going to attend?”

“Yes.”

Glancing over to the mirror above the dress, he saw Romero’s brow rising. “I see. I’ll clear your schedule for that day.”

“Good. And check on the details of the bride as well. I want a full background.”

The other man paused briefly. “Is… there a reason why?”

Dominic huffed out a laugh, not being able to help himself. Pride rolled through him, a comfortable second skin he relished in. “Because I believe I slept with her last night.”

Romero’s usually unreadable expression faltered for just a fraction of a second.

“Don’t worry about that for now.” Dominic rolled his shoulders back, readjusting himself in the mirror. “This is good news. This may be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”

There was another pause, longer than the last. Just as Dominic began to turn around to look at him, Romero answered with a short, “Understood.”

He watched as his most trusted pulled a phone out of his pocket and began to make some calls. “By the way, there is another meeting at the Bellis Hotel with the Giovanni family. I’ve already declined the request from your father like you asked. However… if you’d like me to—”

Dominic grinned suddenly. “Actually, change of plans. I suddenly have some free time tonight, so I’ll be there on time. Let him know.”

Romero gave him another firm nod. “Understood.”

Oh, this was going to be fun.

Aurora POV

Why did he make that face when I said the name ‘Guerrero’?

That’s the one thought that echoes in my head the entire way in the elevator.

The building that I’m in is nice—really nice—just like the penthouse. It’s the kind of fancy you’d find in one of those high-end magazines while sitting in a doctor’s office, showcasing those beautifully luxurious interiors tastefully decorated by a team of hired professionals.

Every inch of the place, excluding the inside of the elevator, is covered in a dark, reflective marble, warmed only by the twin chandeliers hanging in the lobby. Ornate crown moldings trace along the ceiling, their intricate designs eye catching while I make my way through the lobby and over to the revolving doors heading outside.

I have no earthly idea who the man I slept with last night is but it’s safe to say he has enough money to throw around and not care to check his bank account afterwards. I’ve been around plenty of men like him in my life—charming, confident, trouble wrapped in expensive suits and whiskey.

A man like him isn’t to be trusted. No matter how nice the front he puts on is.

If I never see him again, it will probably be too soon.

The bright side is at least I got some good sex out of the deal. Those scattered memories from last night will be what I hold on to when my wedding night finally rolls around and I’m forced to spread my legs for a different man; one chosen for me.

A shudder rolls up my spine at the thought.

The early morning air is a bit brisk as I step outside.

A familiar sleek looking black sedan waited only a steps away from the front door, complete with custom plates on the back of it. Relief crashes into me, making my knees a little weak.

Gianna.

Even if I am still a little annoyed at her for letting me go home with a random man neither of us know, I can’t help the way my chest loosens up at the sight of her coming to get me.

She smiles the second I open the passenger side door, leaning over to snatch a few things from off the seat to toss them onto the floor behind her before I can scoot into the cab.

“Hey, girl.” She rolls her eyes along my disheveled appearance, a sly smirk replacing her smile. “You look like you had fun last night.”

The second I get the door closed, I whirl around and nail her in the arm with my fist.

She yelps, jerking forward with a hiss as she clutches the spot. “Ow! What the hell was that for!”

“That’s for getting me drunk enough last night to agree to go home with a damn stranger.”

Gianna scoffs. “Oh, come on. I know you had fun letting loose. Don’t blame me for having a good time!”

“You went too far!” I snap.

Her face falters for a second before she masks it with another easy grin. “And yet, you’re here and alive. Judging by the way you’re still slightly flushed, I’d say you walked out of there pretty damn satisfied too.”

Yeah, too bad I can’t remember much.

While she’s not wrong, I’m terrified about what will happen if my father finds out. I was supposed to come home last night, not get charmed into taking a ride across the city and up to a fancy penthouse.

Oh, I’m so dead.

“Aurora, calm down.” She says, shifting the car into gear before gently pulling us into morning traffic. “No one knows anything yet. I talked to my father this morning and he said he’ll cover for us if yours asks. I told him we got hammered and crashed at my place. No biggie.”

I eye her. “Really?”

She nods, flicking on her turn signal to merge. “He agreed to keep it a secret for now as long as I brought you back home ASAP.”

I breathe out slowly.

Alright, one less thing to worry about for the time being.

I don’t bother asking Gianna how she managed to lie to her father so seamlessly, or get him to agree to cover for us until we could arrive back at my family’s estate. She’s always had a way of smoothing things over no matter who she’s talking to. I swear it’s some kind of superpower. One I’ve envied for years.

Her ability to twist situations in her favor and get away with it, unlike me, is impressive to say the least.

Thankfully her father is pretty easy to get along with. He may set ground rules for us and keep us from breaking too many boundaries, but he’s always been there for Gianna and I in a way I wish my own father could be.

Compared to the man who raised me, her own is a saint.

I think that’s why I’ve always seen him as a pseudo-paternal figure.

“Maybe if Francesco finds out it will be a good thing.” She says.

“What? How in the world would my father finding out I slept with someone not end in me getting beat?” I’d be lucky if I walked out of my father’s office with only a few handprints left on me.

Broken bones are the more likely scenario.

She frowns for a second before saying, “That might happen but then Camilla will have to marry in your place, right? It’s a fair trade, I’d say. You’d get out of this arrangement with a few bruises and get to wipe your hands clean in the end.”

Camilla, my half-sister. The bane of my existence most days. And my father’s favorite. The mention of her alone makes another shudder roll up my spine. However, the idea that my father would ever offer her up in my place?

That’s laughable.

“First of all, he’d never let Camilla marry Leonardo Guerrero. She’s too valuable and perfect to be tied to an old man like that. Second, if he beats me, I’ll be lucky to walk away still conscious.”

Gianna exhales heavily. “That’s better than where you are right now, Aurora.”

Is it? I want to ask.

Because from where I’m standing it seems like no matter what avenue I take, I’m screwed. Either I get beaten and become a disgrace to my family’s name or end up still stuck in this arranged marriage.

Every door I open still leans to the same dark and suffocating room.

“Besides,” her tone turns light. “Last night was your one chance to have real sex. I can’t accept you marrying some fifty-something pervert who probably can’t even get it up anymore before you got to experience what being with a real man feels like.”

Her words hit me harder than I expect, dragging last night’s memories back up to the surface.

The way his hands felt on me, gripping my hips as he moved inside of me, his mouth and tongue lapping at my neck, that hungry, desperate fire inside of me that felt all consuming. The fleeting moment of control I held for not just my body but my life.

I’m going to miss it. I really am.

Heat blooms on my face before I can stop it, making me immediately curse myself for reacting so obviously. Of course Gianna doesn’t miss it and grins. “I’m glad it was worth the inevitable lecture I’m going to get from my dad later.”

I shove her shoulder. “Funny.”

At least I’ll have a reminder that just for one night I was something more than my father’s pawn. I’d been someone special, someone worth taking back to bed and having.

I’ve spent a lifetime learning that escaping isn’t real. My mother is unfortunately living proof of that—broken down over the years from a once vibrant and hopeful woman to nothing more than a shadow, drained of all fight.

I know deep down I’ll eventually become like that too. It’s only inevitable.

But spending time with Gianna and her wild and reckless nature will hopefully starve off the inevitable for a little while longer. Even if it’s only a temporary solution; an illusion.

“Time to go home,” I say.

She nods, flicking on her turn signal again. “Everything will work out in the end, Aurora. You’ll see.”