Beatrice Carbone always knew that life in a mafia family was full of secrets and dangers, but she never imagined she would be forced to pay the highest price: her own future. Upon returning home to Palermo, she discovers that her father, desperate to save his business, has promised her hand to Ryuu Morunaga, the enigmatic and feared heir of one of the cruelest Japanese mafia families. With a cold reputation and a ruthless track record, Ryuu is far from the typical "ideal husband." Beatrice refuses to see herself as the submissive woman destiny has planned for her. Determined to resist, she quickly realizes that in this game of power and betrayal, her only choice might be to become as dangerous as those around her. But amid forced alliances, dark secrets, and an undeniable attraction, Beatrice and Ryuu are swept into a whirlwind of tension and desire. Can she survive this marriage without losing herself? Or will the dangerous world of the Morunagas become both her home and her prison?
view morePoint of View: Beatrice
Leaving my cozy little house in Palermo wasn’t something I wanted, but my father had other plans. With my twenty-first birthday looming, he organized a family trip to the Bahamas. A celebration, he called it, though I had a sinking feeling there was more to it.
My father didn’t do simple.
***
“Dad?” I called, my voice soft as I wandered barefoot through the hall of the rented villa. The place was beautiful, all sleek wood floors and breezy blue walls, but the tension in the air made it feel stifling. I followed the trail of muted voices and faint cigar smoke to the office—his sanctuary, even on vacation.
Knocking sharply, I pushed the door open without waiting. He was seated behind a massive desk, head bowed, hands pressed to his temples.
“Bea,” he said, looking up, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion.
I crossed the room in seconds, throwing my arms around him. He held me close, his hand brushing through my hair, but there was a stiffness to his touch I couldn’t ignore.
“Sit down,” he said quietly. “We need to talk.”
I froze, the pit in my stomach deepening. My father’s voice had shifted into something solemn—dangerous, even.
“What’s going on?” I asked, lowering myself into the chair opposite him. His fingers fidgeted on the desk, a rare crack in his normally unshakable demeanor.
“I’ve made a decision,” he said, his tone carefully measured. “It’s time for you to think about your future. For the good of our family.”
Here it comes.
“I’ve arranged for you to marry Ryuu Morunaga.”
The words slammed into me, sharp and unforgiving.
“What?” My voice was barely above a whisper.
He continued, unflinching. “It’s a strategic alliance. His family’s power, combined with ours, will ensure security for everyone we care about.”
I stared at him, numb. Ryuu Morunaga. Even in Palermo, I’d heard the name—the heir to a criminal empire that made my father’s operations look quaint. The Morunagas weren’t partners. They were predators.
“Dad, no. You can’t be serious,” I said, my voice rising.
“This isn’t a negotiation, Beatrice,” he said sharply, his gaze hardening.
“Not a negotiation?” My laugh was bitter. “You’re throwing me to the wolves and calling it ‘family loyalty.’ Do I even get a say in this?”
His jaw clenched. “You think I want this? You think I’d risk your happiness if there were another way?”
“Then don’t do it!” I snapped, my fists curling against the armrests.
For a moment, his mask slipped. I saw the fear behind his eyes, the weight of whatever pressure had driven him to this. He looked older than I’d ever seen him, the gray streaks in his hair more prominent under the dim light.
“I’m not asking you, Beatrice. I’m telling you.”
The finality of his words crushed me. My chest tightened, my vision blurred, and the taste of betrayal burned on my tongue.
I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
They felt like poison. I stood before he could respond, brushing tears from my cheeks and heading for the door. My legs carried me away on autopilot, but inside, I was screaming.
My father had always promised to protect me. Now, he’d handed me over to a devil.
The lucky groom? Ryuu Morunaga. Infamous heir to one of the most dangerous crime families in the world. Human trafficking, prostitution rings—his family’s “business ventures” made the FBI’s Most Wanted list look like a church bulletin. And now I was supposed to marry into that?
The Morunaga dynasty didn’t just reek of power—it bled fear. At the top sat Gojou Morunaga, the patriarch, whose last genuine smile probably happened before the moon landing. Sharp eyes, a permanent scowl, and a presence that screamed, I don’t need to raise my voice to end you.
Then came the sons. The youngest, Nitta, was their PR disaster—always in the tabloids, always escaping convictions. Fukui, the middle son, was quieter but no less dangerous, with an unnerving ability to disappear from public view entirely.
And then there was Ryuu—the heir. My future husband. He wasn’t movie-star handsome; he was predator handsome. Sharp cheekbones, jet-black hair, and a presence that made you want to step back without knowing why. Women? He had no reputation with them—his empire was his one true love. So why would my father think this was a good idea?
I couldn’t stand to look at him after this. The man who swore to protect me had just handed me over to the wolves. The Morunagas weren’t just bad—they were apocalyptic. Following the faint sound of music, I headed toward the sitting room, clinging to the hope my grandfather could make sense of this.
When I entered, the comforting sight of my grandfather was overshadowed by four men seated around the table. My heart dropped as I recognized them: Gojou Morunaga and his sons.
Gojou’s dark eyes locked onto me immediately, dissecting me like prey. His smile was all teeth, fake and unnerving.
“Beatrice, isn’t it?” he said smoothly, his voice rich but cold.
“Yes,” I managed, stepping further into the room. My grandfather gave me a pointed look that screamed, mind your manners.
“These are my sons: Fukui, Nitta, and Ryuu,” Gojou continued, gesturing lazily toward each. I barely registered the first two because my eyes went straight to the eldest. Ryuu sat rigid, his sharp features shadowed by sunglasses, his expression unreadable but clearly unamused.
“We thought it's best for you and Ryuu to meet sooner rather than later,” Gojou added. “Naturally, a fiancé would want to be near such a lovely bride.”
Lovely bride? The bile rose in my throat. But before I could respond, Gojou stood and hugged me. It was stiff, invasive, and left me frozen. As he leaned close, his voice dropped into a low whisper.
“I expect great things from you, Beatrice.”
His words chilled me more than his cold hands on my back. When he finally released me, his fake smile returned, and my fists clenched at my sides.
The rest of the room stayed silent, the tension stretching unbearably. “If you’ll excuse me,” I said tightly, forcing a polite smile. “I need to unpack.”
No one stopped me as I turned and left, though I could feel Ryuu’s eyes following me until the door closed behind me.
***
Point of View: Ryuu
Two days. That’s how long I’d had to process my father’s announcement that I was getting married. It wasn’t up for debate—nothing ever was with Gojou Morunaga. I could argue all I wanted, but his decisions were final.
At first, I thought this was about business—merging our family’s empire with the Carbones. But that didn’t track. My father didn’t need Giacomo Carbone. He could’ve crushed him without blinking. No, this was personal, and I hated that I couldn’t figure out why.
Beatrice Carbone. I’d seen her photo once—elegant, striking, the kind of beauty that made men lose their minds. But beauty didn’t matter to me. What mattered was whether she could survive in my world without breaking.
When I saw her in person, it hit me: she was even more beautiful than the photo. But the look in her eyes wasn’t what I expected. There was no fear, no resignation. Just fury.
I was sitting on the villa’s patio, the ocean stretching out in front of me, when I saw her again. She stepped onto the sand, oblivious to my presence. Barefoot, graceful, and determined, she walked as if the weight of her situation didn’t touch her.
“Enjoying the view already?”
Fukui’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He dropped into the chair across from me, setting two glasses of whiskey on the table. I glared at him, annoyed.
“She’s not my wife yet,” I muttered, taking the glass and downing it in one gulp.
“Not yet,” he teased, smirking. “Father’s probably expecting a baby within the year.”
I snorted, pouring another drink. “Father can expect whatever he wants. That doesn’t mean it’s happening.”
“You really think you can stop him?” Fukui asked, raising an eyebrow. “This is Father. You know how this works.”
Before I could answer, the door to the beach creaked open again. Fukui and I both turned in time to see Nitta striding confidently toward Beatrice.
“Looks like Nitta’s about to stir up trouble,” Fukui muttered, leaning back with a grin.
My jaw tightened as I watched our younger brother approach her. Nitta lived for chaos, and Beatrice wasn’t ready for it.
“Let him,” I said, though my hand gripped the glass tighter than I intended. “He’ll learn soon enough.”
Whether she was ready for this marriage or not, one thing was certain: no one messed with what was mine.
And like it or not, Beatrice Carbone was about to be mine.
Ryuu’s POV"We have a rare opportunity," I said, my voice edged with steel. "The power I inherited from Esposito gives us an advantage, but it also raises expectations. From now on, we can’t allow anything—or anyone—to threaten the foundation I’m building. That means betrayal will be met with a punishment that is swift and unquestionable."Sofia’s expression hardened. "Daiki’s family," she said, her voice clipped. "They’ll serve as the example?"I nodded."Exactly. They will be a reminder of what happens when you cross the Don. When we eliminate a threat, we don’t leave loose ends. Loyalty in our world isn’t optional."Mateo’s smirk deepened in satisfaction. Nitta and Sofia both gave small nods, unde
Ryuu’s POVThe heavy scent of metal and dampness filled my lungs the second I stepped into the basement. The cold was almost tangible, seeping from the concrete walls like a ghost of everything that had happened here. Ahead of me, Daiki knelt on the ground, wrists bound behind his back, his expression flickering between fear and defiance.The man who had once treated me like something disposable. The father of the bastard who had used my wife’s blood as his weapon.Mateo, Sofia, and Nitta stood around him, guns drawn, aimed straight at his chest. A circle of steel and hostility, a reflection of the atmosphere pressing down on the room. He saw me—his nephew—standing before him, but not the boy he had once manipulated. That version of me had died long ago."Y
Beatrice’s POVA heavy silence settled between us, thick enough to take form. I watched Ryuu, waiting for a response he seemed hesitant to give. Then, finally, he exhaled deeply, his voice low but steady."I'm here. With you. I promise."The words hung between us, weighted and certain. His gaze met mine, carrying the full gravity of that vow. And before I could think better of it, I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. It was soft, hesitant—charged with something raw and unspoken. I wanted to lose myself in him, but this wasn’t the time. There were too many cracks between us, too many wounds—both seen and unseen—that needed healing first.His hands slid to my face, holding me with a tenderness I barely recognized. He kissed me b
Beatrice’s POVRyuu’s gaze stayed locked on the group as he tightened his grip around me, turning me toward the other side of the bar. His arm around my waist pulled me away before I could see Sophia’s next move. The possessive hold, the tension crackling in the air, told me everything I needed to know.I didn’t have to look to know what was coming next."What was that?" I murmured, frowning as he guided me through the dimly lit space, straight toward a cluster of men who greeted him with quiet reverence."What was what?" he replied without looking at me, his jaw set."Mr. Morunaga?" I echoed, the words barely above a whisper, dripping with exasperation.
Beatrice’s POVDays had passed before we finally parked in front of the church. Neither of us moved to get out. Outside, a sea of black-clad mourners gathered, their hushed voices blending into the weight of grief hanging in the air. I hadn’t expected so many people to show up. Even less, I hadn’t expected Ryuu to be here, not in his condition."You shouldn't be here," I murmured, my fingers tightening around his as we sat in the silent shelter of the black limousine.I had begged him to stay in bed this morning. Pleaded. But nothing I said mattered. Ryuu was determined to be here, and nothing short of death would have stopped him."Don’t you think it’s my duty to attend my grandfather Vincenzo’s funeral?" His voice was sharp, eyes fixed on the crowd filter
Beatrice’s POV"And Ryuu?" I pressed, my gaze flicking back to my husband’s unconscious body. "I can't leave him.""His cousins have already arranged everything. Trusted people, outside your grandfather’s empire." Sophia stepped closer, her voice laced with urgency. "Please, Beatrice."I gave in. I agreed to go with her, but every step I took away from that hospital felt wrong. Like I was making a mistake. Like I was leaving something vital behind.By the time I stepped into the Espósito estate, the echoes of what I’d left behind still rattled inside my head.I didn’t eat. I didn’t shower. I didn’t change my clothes.
Beatrice’s POVRyuu had fallen asleep again, and I took the opportunity to find something—anything—to keep myself awake. The moment I stepped into the hallway, I caught sight of Mateo, his lips curling in disdain as he shook his head. "You let your mother suffer for years, and now you punish me for setting her free? What Ryuu did was mercy. You should be grateful." His voice dripped with mockery. "Why are we even discussing this right now? This isn't the time. I'm here for them, not you." The cold fury in Mateo’s words echoed through the empty corridor. Whatever Ryuu had done to create this rift between Bion and him… it had cut deep. "Do you always eavesdrop?" A sharp, youthful voice snapped from behind me. I exhaled, pressing a hand to my chest as I turned slowly. Nitta stood there, watching me with a smirk that was both amused and knowing. "I wasn’t…" The words trailed off, my ears still tuned to the remnants of the conversation between Mateo and Bion. "Oh, save it," he
Beatrice’s POVHe looked better. A little more color in his skin, a little less fragile. But I knew, just as surely as I loved him, that appearances could be deceiving. He was still bound to this hospital bed, still far from the man I knew. His recovery would be slow, grueling. And he knew it too.I traced my fingers along his jaw, feeling the rough scrape of his unshaven beard against my skin. He exhaled softly at my touch, his features softening in a way I rarely saw. A vulnerable Ryuu. Exposed."Are you hurt?" His voice was deep, laced with concern, as he gently pushed strands of hair away from my face. I shook my head, my eyes locked on his, as if keeping him in focus was the only thing anchoring me to reality. He studied me a second longer, his gaze catching on the clean clothes I wore—so different from the last time he
Beatrice’s POVThe moment Giorgio took his last breath, it was as if a spell had finally broken. I turned slowly, my body heavy with exhaustion, my hands still stained with blood as my gaze found Ryuu.He was pale, his skin damp with sweat and pain. His face was contorted, his eyes shut tight as if keeping them closed would somehow lessen the agony. I leaned over him again, pressing my hands firmly against the open wound on his abdomen, but it was useless. It felt like trying to hold his life together with nothing but my bare hands. The blood kept coming, relentless, spilling between my fingers no matter how hard I pressed.Then, the basement door burst open, slamming against the concrete wall.I whirled around, lifting the gun instinctively. I didn’t know who was coming, but I wo
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