I was born into the Cosa Nostra, so I've always known an arranged marriage loomed in my future. When the Capo dei Capi of the Cosa Nostra comes to Sicily to give his approval for his cousin, Stefano, to take me as his bride, I know my fate is all but sealed. Marrying Stefano is the last thing I want, but being a woman, I don't have a say in the matter. Damiano Falco is merciless and rules the Cosa Nostra with an iron fist. Everyone fears him and won't dare go against him. I'm still trying to accept that I'll have no choice but to marry Stefano when Damiano utters the last word anyone expects to hear. "No." He doesn't give his approval, nor does he offer any explanation. But if I think his refusal will set me free, I have another thing coming. Instead, my bags are packed, and within hours, I find myself sitting on a private jet with the head of the Costa Nostra. The ruthless man doesn't tell me anything, and I have no idea what my future holds. To say I'm terrified is the understatement of the century.
View MoreDamianoHalfway to the airfield where the private jet is waiting, I tuck my phone back into my pocket.Stefano’s pissed off that I didn’t give my blessing and instead took the woman he wanted to marry, but he’ll just have to get over it.The di Bella household is a fucking mess, and I refused to stay there a second longer. I’m used to violence. It’s second nature to me, but having to see Gabriella degraded and mistreated tested my patience. If I’d stayed for dinner, instead of leaving, there would’ve been a blood bath.I glance at Gabriella and notice she’s changed her outfit. She looks glamorous in the pink suit, and even though I have zero interest in her, I notice her cleavage that’s on full display.She might be on the shorter side, but she has curves in all the right places. She’s beautiful, but that’s not why she’s sitting beside me.When she held eye contact with me, I was actually a little stunned. It showed she has more guts than most of the men in our world.No matter how sh
Before I can hear more of the conversation between Damiano and Stefano, I’m pulled into my bedroom, and seconds later, five men come into my private space and roughly start throwing my belongings into bags.I can’t think a single coherent thought as Mother thrusts an outfit into my hands before shoving me into the bathroom.“Get changed. Hurry,” she orders before yanking the door shut.I hear my bedroom being torn apart while I stare at the doorknob.This isn’t happening.“Hurry, Gabriella, or I’ll come in and dress you myself,” Mother threatens.In a stunned daze, I start to undress and quickly put on the light pink pantsuit. The pants are three-quarter in length and look good with the black five-inch heels.Mother forgot to grab a blouse, but I shrug on the jacket and fasten the two buttons. A sliver of black lace from my bra is visible.Taking a moment for myself, I wash my hands and pull a brush through my hair before I open the cupboards to dig out toiletry bags. I quickly pack m
GabriellaWhen Stefano glances at me while he removes his jacket, a weird sensation creeps over my skin.“You embarrassed me, Gabriella,” he mutters as he drapes his jacket over the back of the chair by my dressing table.His tone brims with anger, and it has me glancing at the door.Suddenly, he lets out an incredulous-sounding chuckle. “You’re not even going to apologize?”Pride has me lifting my chin, and I force myself to lock eyes with the man I’m going to marry. If I don’t stand my ground today, he’ll make my life a living hell.“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I say, my voice sounding much stronger than I feel.When Stefano starts to undo his belt, a wave of terror-filled pins and needles coats my skin.Dio.“You can’t take my virginity until we’re married,” I say as if the words will stop him.Stefano’s mouth lifts in a smirk. “You already belong to me.”“No.” I shake my head. “Mr. Falco hasn’t given his permission.”“I don’t plan on fucking you right now. First, I’m going to giv
Before I can try to catch my balance, I fall to my knees while my mother’s fingers tighten around my wrist, making a sharp pain shoot up my arm. My free hand slaps against the tiled floor to stop me from face-planting in front of everyone.“Get up,” Stefano growls beneath his breath.Intense embarrassment burns through me, and before I can scramble back onto my feet, Damiano walks right by me, his steps filled with confidence and threats of death.Mother yanks at my wrist, sending another sharp pain up my arm. “You’re embarrassing us,” she hisses between clenched teeth.I struggle to my feet, in time to see all the men rush after Damiano. Even though this is his first time here, he heads straight for the living room.Stefano shoots me a dark glare that promises nothing good for me before he disappears from my sight.I’m yanked again, and I barely have time to fix my dress as my mother hurries to catch up to the men.“Stop yanking me,” I snap at Mother while managing to rip my wrist fr
GabriellaDamiano Falco; 38. Gabriella di Bella; 23.“This is a great honor for the family,” my mother says as her eyes slowly sweep over every inch of me. “Don’t disappoint us.”She’s referring to my impending marriage to Stefano Ferraro. That’s if the Cosa Nostra approves of the union.Or rather, Damiano Falco. The Capo dei Capi of the Cosa Nostra. He’s the only one who still has to give his approval, which he’ll do tonight at the dinner party that’s being held in his honor.The stories I’ve heard about Damiano are enough to make my blood run cold in my veins, and I’m not looking forward to meeting him.But first, I need to get through an entire afternoon of smiling and pretending I want nothing more than to become Stefano Ferraro’s wife.God help me.A chill creeps down my spine because the last thing I want is to marry Stefano. The man is in his late forties, and I’ve only seen him a handful of times. Every interaction with him didn’t bode well for my future.Not once has he offer
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