02: The dictator

LILITH

"I reckon you be on your best behavior tonight, Lilith Russo." My father hissed into my ear as we both walked down the staircase overseeing the guests who had been invited to my impromptu engagement party.

My engagement party is ongoing, guests are scattered about in pairs swaying to the music after the engagement announcement was made minutes ago.

My eyes scan around for my fiancé, but I see him nowhere.

"Don't you trust me, Dad? I am always on my best behavior," I answer in a sugary voice earning a dark look from him.

After the stunt I had pulled at the dinner two days ago, My Father and mother had drilled into my ear how reckless I was when acting.

I had received another round of whips from Dad, and countless daunting words from Mother which was why I indulged them today and wore the golden gown paired with black pumps that they had shopped at brandy for me.

PS: I did not go on any of the shopping with them.

"This is the Mafia, no matter the suits and business cards you see, we are all criminals. I do not trust anyone, and you must not too." There is a wistful note in his tone. "So be careful—"

He does not get to finish before I slam into a brick wall. I stumble, instinctively reaching up to steady myself.

Gritty palms and masculine heat reach for my fingers.

Oh shit! That is not a damn wall.

My eyes travel up past the lapels of a black suit, the open collar of a white shirt, and the tanned column of a strong, masculine throat before they rest on a beautifully carved face, shadowed with amusement. 

"Careful there, Lilith." Rayne De Luca's cool voice slides in, skittering goosebumps along my skin. "You should watch where you are going."

"Mr Russo. I will leave you two to talk, it is your engagement party after all."

My father saunters away, leaving me at the mercy of my fiance who is now staring at me with a dangerous look, all amusement faded from sight.

"We did not get to interact enough the first day I met you, I hope we get to know each other well through this."

I scoff. "Isn't it funny that we are getting to know each other on our engagement day?"

"You think it is funny?" He inquires.

I roll my eyes, dropping the act instantly. "Why did you agree to this arrangement, De Luca? From what I heard, our families are supposed to be at loggerheads."

"My Father thinks it is best we put our differences apart."

"Or maybe you are practicing the 'keep your friends close or your enemies closer?"

He pauses, furious eyes regarding me slowly. His smile soon switched to a dangerous smirk. "You are smart," he answers.

"What?"

Before I know what is happening, he grabs hold of my hands and leads me to the podium. He grabs the microphone.

"What the hell do you want to do?" I question.

"Just watch me, Lilith."

"Hello everyone!" His cool voice skitters through the crowd, commanding their attention.

From the corner of my eyes, I see my family staring at us curiously.

"I want to welcome you once again to our engagement party. It is with great pleasure that you are here to honor the union between the two strong families of Crown City. But also, I would very much like to keep this short. My fiancee and I would like to get married today, and right this instant."

My stomach bottoms out just as the guests go haywire. "Are you insane!" I whisper yell, struggling to wrench my hands-free from his grip.

He presses it down with a scowl. "Stand still, Lilith Russo."

He needs not to repeat his words. His tone is domineering and spellbinding, my legs seem to freeze on the spot.

"Good girl," he whispers.

The endearment washes over me, twisting my insides in a bitter way.

My mother is going to pass out. I am sure she had thought of ways she wanted the wedding to go. Too bad, Rayne crushed her dreams.

I steady myself on Rayne's hand, deciding to play along with Rayne's announcement. I will gladly accept this as long as it pisses off Amelia Russo.

I shoot my mother a grin. Take that, mother dearest, not everything will go your way.

"Shall we find a priest?" My Father speaks above the guest's confusion.

I guess my mother is not the only one eager to kick me out of the house.

•

I got married.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be moving into my husband's house two days after I met him. But as the butler comes for my luggage which I had hastily packed, my reality seems to greet me in the face.

The said husband is nowhere to be found, he had handed me over to his driver after our engagement turned wedding party and vanished out of sight.

The De Luca's Mansion is freaking huge, even more larger than ours. I expected it though, after all their family was crazy richer than ours.

"Welcome, Mrs. De Luca," a woman who stands at the doorstep greets me with a warm smile. She looks not over forty years old.

Mrs De Luca. The title is unfamiliar but it is a reminder of who I am and where I am now. Even though by blood I am still a Russo, I am now a De Luca by name.

"I am Betty," she continues. "The maid."

"Ah, Betty. Good evening."

She beams at me. "Welcome home, ma'am. I will lead you to your room."

I follow her, passing through doors until we get to one which she pushes open. "Here is your room," she announced as if it was not pretty obvious.

My mouth falls open when I enter. The room is not just any room, it is a perfect replica of my room in my Father's house. From the pale blue color of the room to the way it is arranged and even my paintings hanging on the wall.

"The Master gave us strict instructions to do a good job."

I am about to reply when I feel the cold presence of an unknown guest, or rather of the owner of the house. Betty scurries out at his presence, leaving me to face my husband all alone.

I know it is him even before I turn around to face him. "Do you like it?"

It is his eyes I see first. Striking blue ones that seem like it is searching my soul. Danger lurks beneath those eyes and his lips curled up in a smirk is enough to send my heart beating all over the room.

"Do you want me to?" I retort.

I am not the fearful type. I am not like Riya who would pee her pants if she was confronted. I am the girl who killed a man when she was twelve. I am the woman who has spent every year of my life since then being my Father's right-hand man, yet receiving whips from him for every mistake I make.

Rayne regards me silently. The scent of his oaky cologne fills up the room, almost choking me. "Chris forgot to tell me how feisty his daughter is."

"Not feisty. Violent."

He looms in closer, crowding my space. "What do we do now, wife? I like my women willing and submissive."

Wife. The word is a reminder of who I am now. A trophy in the hands of Rayne De Luca. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I have envisioned more for myself, not retiring into a made man's house as a baby-making machine.

"You will not find this woman willing and submissive," I shoot back in defiance.

"I know. Which is why I will teach you to be that wife I want."

He reaches for my chin and softly caresses then in a switch, he presses down, earning a groan from me. Images of a familiar scenario flashes through my head, immobilizing me.

"I will teach you how to bow to me. I will break you, Lilith, and I will enjoy doing it. Now strip."

My heart hammers at his words. "You are insane if you think I will do that."

"Lilith. I hate when people do not listen to me," he growls

He is swift, invading my space and reaching for my neck in an instant. Suddenly I am pinned to the wall with his palm tight around my neck, almost crushing my windpipe.

Tears blur my vision as I reach out to claw his hands away.

"When I let you go, you strip for me, wife," he whispers harshly.

...